Grizzly Bears (Brown Bears)
The west coast of Canada and Alaska is one of the world’s last sanctuaries for the brown bear, or grizzly bear. Bear viewing expeditions are an ideal platform for visiting these areas, with experienced guides, and access to these watery fjords, we are able to view the bears in a sustainable manner.
British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest encompasses 6.4 million hectares of temperate coastal rainforest. Within these valleys, fjords, forests, and estuaries is a grizzly bear population larger and more dense than anywhere else in Canada.
Tongass National Forest in Alaska has a higher density of brown bears than anywhere on earth. On Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof Islands, an interesting subspecies of brown bears, more closely related to polar bears, can be seen. It is thought that polar bears were stranded on these islands after the last ice age and gradually morphed into brown bears through mating with the brown bear population over millennia.
Black Bears
With their keen sense of smell and hearing, black bears are expert foragers and can be found searching for food in the intertidal zone, along riverbanks, and in the lush rainforest. They play a vital role in the ecosystem, spreading seeds and nutrients as they travel through the forest.
One of the best places to view black bears is the Great Bear Rainforest, where they can be spotted along rivers and estuaries during the salmon spawning season. The bears feast on the nutrient-rich salmon, fattening up for the winter months ahead. Other places to see black bears include Vancouver Island, Desolation Sound and Haida Gwaii, where they are occasionally spotted patrolling the coastline.
Guided tours with knowledgeable naturalists can provide visitors with an insight into the behavior and biology of coastal black bears.
Seasonal Highlights
With careful planning and our experienced guides, guests can enjoy exceptional bear-viewing experiences year-round.
Our Bear Viewing Experiences
We are passionate about not only providing safe and exceptional bear viewing experiences for guests but also setting a standard for responsible and sustainable bear viewing practices.
Welcome to Bear Country
Throughout our tours in the Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska, we are able to witness amazing wildlife events and witness the crucial ecological role bears play within the temperate rainforest and estuary.
Observe Fascinating Behaviors
From digging for roots which aerate the soil and promote new growth to feeding on salmon which bring nutrient-rich carcasses onto the land and into the forest, we are able to observe it all by visiting the area each spring, summer, and fall.
Explore in Safe Hands
On each bear cruise, a knowledgeable crew will lead you by zodiac and by foot into estuaries where you can safely view these calm bears together as a group.
Learn From Engaging Naturalists
A skilled naturalist will accompany you as you explore these intimate bear habitats, providing insightful interpretation and a resource for all your questions.
Our Connections
Special permits and local connections allow us to provide exceptional bear-viewing experiences along the BC and Alaska coasts. We are proud to be a founding member of Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC and our owner, Kevin Smith, serves as the association’s President.
Pioneers In Responsible Bear Viewing
Maple Leaf Adventures is a founding member of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC and works closely with local communities and organizations to support conservation efforts, helping ensure bears and their natural habitats are protected for future generations.
By being a responsible and ethical member of the bear-viewing community, we hope to inspire others to appreciate and protect bears and their natural ecosystems.
Destinations
Discover the best places to see bears in their natural habitat.
Great Bear Rainforest and Kitlope
View ItineraryBird migrations, newly awakened grizzly and black bears grazing on green sedges—experience it all on a small ship adventure.
Great Bear Rainforest
View ItineraryFollow magnificent runs of wild salmon to the home of black, grizzly, and the elusive white-furred spirit bear.
Haida Gwaii
View ItineraryDiscover the rich indigenous culture and natural wonder of Haida Gwaii. 8 to 9 days from the northern town of Masset to the southern reaches of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
Desolation Sound and Fjords of BC
View ItineraryThis journey among the islands and fjords of the storied British Columbia coast includes Desolation Sound and the Broughton Archipelago, as well as neighbouring inlets.
Great Bear Rainforest in Spring
View ItineraryBird migrations, newly awakened grizzly and black bears grazing on green sedges—experience it all on a small ship adventure.
Related Stories
Exploring the world of bears and how to observe them responsibly.
