Why June, July & August are Peak Times to Visit
Long before it became a destination on eco-travelers’ bucket lists, the Great Bear Rainforest was a place of legend. Then came the IMAX film—Great Bear Rainforest: Land of the Spirit Bear—narrated by Vancouver’s own Ryan Reynolds.
Suddenly, this remote stretch of coastal British Columbia was splashed across the big screen in soaring cinematic detail: white spirit bears catching salmon in golden rivers, grizzlies shoulder-deep in fall spawning runs, wolves patrolling kelp-strewn beaches, and Indigenous youth helping steward their ancestral lands.
If that film gave the world its first sweeping glimpse of the region’s fall magic, it only hinted at what summer holds.
Here’s why this season stands out—and how our 2025 itineraries, Whales and Wild Isles and the Great Bear Rainforest and Kitlope Supervoyage are crafted to help you experience its fullest expression.
Why Summer Is a Peak Season
Photo: Greg Shea
Landing on a remote beach under a bluebird sky—one of the many ways small ship travel lets you step into the pulse of the coast.
The Great Bear Rainforest is awe-inspiring year-round, but summer delivers a rare combination: peak wildlife, favourable weather, and extended daylight. And everywhere you turn, there’s life—porpoises leaping, seabirds wheeling overhead, wolves loping across beaches at dawn.
From late June through August, this region hits its stride—making it the ideal time for immersive, small-scale adventure.
Seasonal Wildlife Highlights
Photo: Ron Scott
A bald eagle stands sentinel on a driftwood perch as Maple Leaf glides through the misty stillness—one quiet moment in the rhythm of the Great Bear Rainforest.
One of the biggest draws of summer in the Great Bear Rainforest is the abundance of life.
Humpback Whales
They’re not just passing through—they’re feasting. Summer seas teem with krill and herring, drawing humpbacks in from thousands of kilometres away to feed in coordinated bursts.
Coastal Wolves
Few animals are more elusive than the coastal wolf. Summer offers one of the best chances to see them, especially on remote beaches where they may prowl in the early morning light.
Seabirds & Bald Eagles
Marbled murrelets, pigeon guillemots, auklets, and bald eagles dive, soar, and nest in coastal colonies—an experience as vivid as it is memorable.
Orcas & Dolphins
Transient orcas hunt along the outer coast, while dolphins surf the bow waves—adding playful punctuation to the journey.
A Note About Bears
Despite the name, the “Great Bear” Rainforest isn’t the best place for bear viewing in summer. Most black and grizzly bears move into higher elevations in search of berries. Spring and fall remain the best seasons to spot them along river mouths and beaches.
Summer Adventures That Define the Coast
Photo: Greg Shea
In the stillness of a summer morning, even the wildest places feel close and personal. Small ship expeditions offer moments like this—quiet, grounded, and stirring.
With mild weather and long daylight hours, summer is ideal for fully engaging with the landscape. On our small ship expeditions, every day offers something new:
- Tender and Zodiac excursions into glacial fjords and hidden estuaries
- Kayaking in calm bays under towering cliffs
- Walking rainforest trails without heavy rain gear
- Cultural visits with Indigenous guides sharing stories of land and lineage
- Hot springs, swimming, and even cold plunges (for the brave)
Each activity is tailored to the conditions, the guests, and the unique rhythm of the coast.
Great Bear Rainforest Summer Packages
Whales and Wild Isles
Photo: Markus Atkins
A quiet encounter on the wild coast—one of the many rare moments possible when you slow down and travel with intention.
A quiet encounter on the wild coast—one of the many rare moments possible when you slow down and travel with intention. Photo by Maple Leaf Adventures crew.
This expedition explores the outer coast of BC—where the rainforest meets the open Pacific. Here, you’ll find whale-rich channels, remote islets teeming with seabirds, and those perfect moments of stillness when the world feels completely intact.
Great Bear Rainforest & Kitlope Supervoyage
Photo: Kevin Smith
Reflections like this are just part of the magic when you venture deep into the Kitlope. Photo by Kevin Smith.
Reflections like this are just part of the magic when you venture deep into the Kitlope. Photo by Kevin Smith.
The Kitlope is unlike any other place. This 2-million-acre sanctuary—the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest on Earth—is home to towering old growth, pristine fjords, and a profound sense of scale and reverence. Summer opens a rare window into this sacred place.
Both itineraries are aboard beautifully restored or modern expedition ships with just 8 to 24 guests offering intimate access to wilderness and personalized experiences you won’t find on a big cruise.
What Summer Feels Like in the Great Bear Rainforest
Photo: Jeff Reynolds
Golden hour paddles await, out here on the wild coast!
Summer—especially June, July and August—offers the most settled weather of the year on BC’s coast. Winds ease. Rain softens. Wildlife is active. It’s the perfect time to step outside the ordinary and into something ancient, vast, and truly remarkable.
Ready to experience the magic of summer on the West Coast? Explore our 2025 Summer Itineraries
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