What It’s Like to Go Bear Watching in B.C.

Day-long excursions—even entire trips planned with the intention to get up close to nature—are becoming the hottest B.C. travel trend. While wildlife tours often come at a high cost, they are slowly becoming more and more accessible as a bucket list item. And tour companies are taking more precautions to ensure they operate sustainably, ethically and with guidance from locals.

Personally, I never thought that bear watching would be in the cards for me in 2025. But a few weeks ago, I went on a three-day trip to Campbell River with the Naturally Pacific Resort, and we had a full day allocated to whale and bear watching. The resort had partnered with Campbell River Whale Watching for a Fall Grizzly Getaway Package to promote the season’s end, where guests could book a two-night stay, which included a full-day grizzly bear tour.

So, we had an entire day dedicated to sightseeing, including pausing for marine life on the way. My group left first thing in the morning for the three-hour boat tour from Campbell River, around Quadra Island, near Sonora Island and up the Bute Inlet to Orford Bay. There, our guides from the Homalco First Nation and Homalco Culture & Wildlife Tours met us for an afternoon in the remote B.C. wilderness.

Those few hours were awe-inspiring. It was a powerful moment witnessing the (mostly) undisturbed wildlife just going about their lives, preparing for winter. When I climbed up the stairs to the first wooden viewing platform, I was a mix of nerves and excitement. I didn’t know what to expect as I leaned against the railing, watching in silence. I was mesmerized by the male grizzly bear wading through the turquoise blue river after finding a salmon. There’s a quiet power to bearing witness (pun intended) to nature in such a raw way, with the rushing river water, noisy seagulls and wind blowing through the trees. It’s also very easy to forget about how dangerous grizzlies can be when they’re just lounging around, napping or munching on fish and grass.

We were lucky enough to see a total of 11 grizzly bears (an unusually high number), including mamas with their cubs. Just as we were about to leave the Orford River Valley, we spotted two more bears by the riverbank. We unloaded from the bus and watched them silently from across the river. It was a mama and her cub, lying on the rocks. But then, the cub walked over to the mom, who moved onto her back. She stared straight across at us as she nursed the cub.

Witnessing such a truly intimate and vulnerable moment was genuinely moving. (It made me want to go hug my own mom.) The moment was beautifully captured by another group member, who shared the picture below. It’s a sight I won’t forget.

What to Know Before You Go Bear Watching in B.C.

As someone who’s now been-there, done-that, here are a few things to know.

Patience is truly a virtue. There’s no guarantee you’ll see one bear, let alone 11. A sign to watch out for? Ravens. According to our guide, if you see ravens nearby, there’s a chance bears aren’t too far off, as the ravens are scouting for leftover fish carcasses discarded by the grizzlies.

Embrace being unplugged. It feels silly to include this as a tip, but you probably won’t have cell service out in the wilderness. And that’s ok. Let yourself be disconnected—be fully present. Take photos, of course, but don’t live through the camera. Trust me, it won’t be hard to focus on the wildlife before you.

Silence is key. Talking and loud noises will scare the bears away, so protect their peace by staying quiet. It also makes the tour more authentic, as you’re experiencing the environment as they experience it. For me, I found the silence comforting and, in a way, quite intimate.

Dress warm and bring water—but no snacks. Bring the basics to stay comfortable on a day-long excursion (boots or outdoor shoes, a rain jacket, hat, gloves if it’s cold, etc.). Have a water bottle if you need, but don’t bring any food that will attract the bears.

Remember: you’re a visitor in their home. Another tip that, in my view, should go unsaid: be mindful and respectful. You’re a visitor in their habitat, witnessing wildlife in such close and personal proximity (could even be as close as 10 metres), so leave no trace and listen to your guide.