Great Bear Rainforest in Spring

See Canada’s Coastal Rainforest Come Alive

Bird migrations, newly awakened grizzly and black bears grazing on green sedges—experience it all on a small ship adventure.

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Ports

Great Bear Rainforest in Spring

Wild Wonders That We Have Explored and Supported Since 1986

The Great Bear Rainforest is alive with colour each spring. Wildflowers and brilliant green sedges fill the estuaries where grizzlies come out to forage. Enjoy these sights on a Great Bear Rainforest Spring tour where you will explore deep fjords, walk through estuaries, and watch wildlife emerge during the vibrant spring season. 

Itinerary Details
  • Ships: Maple Leaf or Swell
  • Duration: 7, 8 or 9 Days
  • Ports: Bella Bella, Kitimat, Prince Rupert

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Experience the Great Bear Rainforest in Spring

See the Great Bear Rainforest through the eyes of our guests

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What People Say

See what our guests have to say about our Great Bear Rainforest tours.

  • “What a magical and awe-inspiring adventure!”

    Jane Robinson, Vancouver, BC

  • “What a wonderful trip.  Mountains and sea, stories and songs, bears and hot springs, salmon bennies and lamb loin, and raven puppets.  A great crew too.  A chance to be in the moment on the coast of the Great Bear Rainforest.  Thank you all!”

    Sharon Adelman, Vancouver, BC

  • “My most favourite adventure ever! Great crew and wonderful co-passengers”

    Bob Douat, San Antonio, NM

  • “It’s so easy to say that an adventure is a “once in a lifetime event”. What’s hard is to find words that describe how one trip can be packed with so many once in a lifetime moments. I just returned from the Great Bear Rainforest, having spent 6 days on Passing Cloud. From the minute we stepped on board, the crew made us feel like family. They took care of us, taught us, encouraged us, and laughed with us”

    Jeff Coulter, Washington, DC

Highlights

Spring on the Estuary Is an Extraordinary Event

Bright green fjords, estuaries filled with wildflowers, where grizzly bears forage in spring.

Picturesque Scenery

Blessed with natural wonders, breathtaking scenery and exotic wildlife, every moment in the Great Bear Rainforest is an event.

Welcome to Bear Country

Offering stunning scenery with snow-capped mountains, blooming wildflowers, and a chance to see Grizzly bears eating sedges along the water’s edge.

Wild Waterways

Travel with humpbacks through channels and island groups, watching for black bears along shorelines.

Indigenous Culture

You’ll see ancient human history and modern First Nations culture with local storytellers.

Inquire Today

Contact us for more information or to Book Your Expedition Adventure!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your questions about our Great Bear Rainforest Spring itineraries. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for more general trip and booking information.

To reach Kitimat or Bella Bella you can fly Pacific Coastal Airlines through Vancouver Airport (YVR). For flights arriving into Kitimat or Bella Bella, we will arrange to pick you up at the airport and shuttle you to the ship. Flights into Campbell River are offered by Air Canada, Pacific Coastal and Central Mountain Air, and there are many taxi options for you to arrange a pick-up on arrival. If you are ending in Kitimat or Bella Bella, transport is arranged back to the airport along with other guests on your tour. 

Our schedule is designed to accommodate incoming flights on the day of departure and most guests will arrive on the day. But, if you would like to arrive a little early to avoid the stress of possible flight delays, you will find recommendations for local hotels and activities in your welcome aboard package.

Spring in the Great Bear Rainforest brings mild temperatures, averaging 10-15°C (50-59°F), and moderate rainfall. Layered clothing and waterproof gear are recommended. While weather can be unpredictable, Spring offers a captivating atmosphere to explore the diverse ecosystems. Check local forecasts before your trip for the most up-to-date information on weather conditions.

Every season in the Great Bear Rainforest is an event. Starting in spring, black and grizzly bears emerge from hibernation and head to the estuaries to feed on succulent spring growth, offering the opportunity to see bears in their mating displays, or mothers with cubs of the year as they venture out into the natural world. Wildflowers carpet the forest floor, and migratory birds return to the region. The temperate climate during this time offers comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities, such as hiking or hot springs.

Spirit bears live in the Great Bear Rainforest year-round but it’s unlikely you will see one in the spring. The best time for the opportunity to view a spirit bear is after the rains have come in autumn. This means you should plan to come in September or October if you are interested in seeing a spirit bear.

Dates & Rates

Discover the stunning beauty of the BC and Alaska coast on a boutique nature and wildlife expedition. Browse our dates and rates and find the perfect trip for you.

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