The Great Bear Rainforest, famous for its unique kermode or spirit bears, a white-coated genetic variation of the black bear, is one of the most remote spots on the coastline of British Columbia, Canada. Efforts to save the area – the largest intact coastal rain forest in the world – from widespread logging operations have spurred a burgeoning ecotourism industry along British Columbia’s dramatic coast.
From bare-bones camping to luxury comfort, there are numerous ecotourism options for travelers looking to experience the region’s rugged mountains, deep fjords, secluded islands and dramatic waterfalls. Grizzly bears, mountain goats, eagles and gray wolves inhabit the rain forest, which consists of 1,000-year-old cedar, fir and spruce trees. Whales, dolphins and salmon are among the area’s aquatic wildlife. Travelers should not plan on renting a car as the region has few roads. Transportation by ferry or float plane are good alternatives.
From the small village of Klemtu on Swindle Island, between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, the native Kitasoo/Xaixais people run an ecotourism company called Klemtu Tourism, which offers sea kayaking trips and five-day tours for $1,071.24 to track and view elusive kermode bears in September when wild salmon migrate upstream to spawn and are hunted by the white-coated bears. Five-day kayak trips cost $831.47-$975.74 per person. The Neeso Wakwis tour – a five-day guided trip that takes visitors to ancient village and archaeological sites – costs $1,021.77 per person. Accommodations are cozy wilderness cabins. Klemtu Tourism also offers custom eco-adventure tours. For more information, logon to klemtutourism.com.
For travelers looking to experience a luxury getaway, King Pacific Lodge is the ultimate destination. The fly-in vacation retreat offers packages that include round-trip float plane flights, accommodations in an elegant timber lodge, meals and beverages, an open bar, guided hiking and kayaking trips, and a wildlife cruise with opportunities to view humpback whales and spirit bears. A three-night package costs $780-$2,500, while a seven-night package costs $4,900-$18,500. For more information, logon to
www.kingpacificlodge.com.
Knight Inlet Lodge offers guided salmon fishing and safari trips, including meals and accommodation. A three-night safari trip costs $930.60 per person, while a four-night fishing trip costs $2,145.13 per person. For trip itineraries and other information, logon to www.sailcone.com.
Those who want to explore the coast by ship can book passage on the Schooner Maple Leaf, British Columbia’s oldest tall ship. Built in 1904, the 92-foot ship has four cabins and can accommodate up to eight guests. The ship’s travel package includes meals, day trips to the coast, the service of a naturalist and a four-member crew and permit fees to visit limited access areas. A six-day trip costs $1,200. For more information, logon to
www.mapleleafadventures.com.
Travelers looking to spend less on an oceangoing trip should consider BC Ferries’ travel package: an Inside Passage day cruise and two nights’ accommodation for $194.03 per person. The company’s ferry-liner Queen of the North carries passengers between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy. The travel package runs Sept. 13-29. A one-day, one-night ferry trip from Port Hardy to Bella Coola costs adults $80.69, students and children 5-11 $40.44 and seniors $54.11. For more information, logon to the BC Ferries Web site, www.bcferries.com or call (800) HELLO BC.
The Tallheo Cannery Inn is a cozy, oceanside hideaway in Bella Coola. Built in the 1800s and only accessible by shuttle boat, the inn provides home-cooked meals and ecotourism outings. For more information, logon to www.centralcoastbc.com/tallheocannery.
Prices were converted using the exchange rate $1.32 Canadian to $1 U.S.Photos special to the town crier
Right, a kermode or spirit bear is a white-coated genetic variation of the black bear.
