Great Bear Rainforest

Embark on a North American Safari In the Fall

Follow magnificent runs of wild salmon to the home of black, grizzly, and the elusive white-furred spirit bear.

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Points of Interest

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Ports

Journey to a Fabled Land of Fjords and Estuaries

The Ancient North American Rainforest

Explore the wild and remote regions of the central coast of British Columbia on a Great Bear Rainforest tour in the Autumn. The fall months bring the return of the salmon and with it a feeding frenzy to be witnessed. Whales, marine mammals, marine birds, bears and more all gather in this region to feast on the bountiful salmon that have returned to spawn in the rivers. This is the best chance to witness the rare spirit bear at a salmon stream or see a mother grizzly teach her cub how to catch a salmon in a major river estuary.

Great Bear Rainforest tours set out to explore fjordlands, remote islands, river estuaries, and west coast beaches. Get to know the intricate and complex temperate rainforest and the species that thrive here, with expert guides and an informative naturalist whose knowledge of the natural history will be shared with you. 

Itinerary Details
  • Ships: Maple Leaf, Swell, Cascadia
  • Duration: 8 or 9 Days
  • Ports: Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Bella Bella
  • Includes a Canadian Geographic Itinerary

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  • Fly to the Great Bear Rainforest 2025

    Book your Great Bear Rainforest fall trip by February 28, 2025 and not only will we book your flights for you but you’ll receive them for free!

    Enjoy a complimentary flight from Vancouver to Bella Bella/Terrace when you book a 2025 trip to the Great Bear Rainforest aboard the SV Maple Leaf and the MV Cascadia. Offer valid if you book and pay for your trip by February 28, 2025 only.

    Qualifying Trips

    Great Bear Rainforest
    Terms and Conditions

    Economy fare. (NB there is only economy fare available on these routes.) This offer cannot be transferred to other destinations. Offer has no cash or credit value and cannot be redeemed for alternative benefits. For the trips, Maple Leaf Adventures is responsible for arranging and covering the cost of airfare from Vancouver to the specified destination as a part of this special offer. However, we do not assume responsibility for any matters, including delays, lost baggage, or any incidents that occur during the flight itself. Cannot be combined with another offer, except Pay in Full and standard back to back trip offers. Must book the deadline to qualify. Flight tickets will be issued after final balance paid and after we receive them from the airline. Does not include bags. Eligible trips: Great Bear Rainforest Aug 31-Sep 8, Sep 9-17, Sep 18-26, Sep 27-Oct 5, Oct 7-15 SV Maple Leaf & Great Bear Rainforest Aug 29-Sep 5; Oct 9-16 MV Cascadia only.

  • Solo Traveller Special 2025

    We’re waving the single supplement!

    Don’t miss this great opportunity for solo travellers, in their own cabin with no single supplement, to discover the rich indigenous culture and natural wonder of the BC coast!

    Qualifying Trips

    Craft Beer Cruise
    Desolation Sound & Fjords of BC
    Desolation Sound in Spring
    Great Bear Rainforest
    Haida Gwaii
    Salish Sea Expedition
    Whales & Wild Isles
    Wines & Islands
    Terms and Conditions

    Available on select sailings only as designated by Maple Leaf Adventures. Subject to availability (there are limits on the number of bookings on some sailings); on Cascadia available for category 1 cabins only; on Swell available for category 1 or 2 cabins only with limited availability. May not be combined with any other offer except pay-in-full and standard back-to-back trips offers. Eligible trips: Salish Sea Expedition with Canadian Geographic Apr 18-22 MV Swell; Desolation Sound Apr 25-29, Apr 30-May 4 MV Swell; Des Sound May 1-5 MV Cascadia; Haida Gwaii May 9-16, May 16-23 MV Cascadia; W&WI Jul 28-Aug 5, Aug 6-14, Aug 16-20 MV Cascadia; Great Bear Rainforest Aug 29-Sep 5 and Oct 9-16 MV Cascadia; Des Sound & Fjords of BC Oct 20-27 MV Cascadia; Des Sound & Fjords of BC Oct 19-26 MV Swell; Craft Beer Cruise Oct 27-31 MV Swell; Wines & Islands Oct 29-Nov 2 MV Cascadia.

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

  • “I can’t believe we’re already at the end of our wonderful week on the central coast; I had no concept, a the beginning, of the riches we would see. Thank you! -and for the wonderful meals- I could go on and on! I look forward to another trip sometime in the future.”

    – Gillian Hodge, Maple Ridge, BC

  • “This ‘journey’ was beyond expectation. The natural environment to which we were introduced is beyond belief and will stay with me for the rest of my life. I hope that the knowledge we have learned will spread far and wide and enable this area of Canada to remain totally unchanged.”

    Mo Tipples, Manitoba

  • “Truly magical!  This trip was as fabulous as I had hoped.  The crew; always smiling, always considerate, always a great sense of humour.”

    Marilyn Samuels, Calgary, AB

Highlights

Explore Wildlife, Natural Wonder, and Human History

Home to grizzlies, coastal wolves and the mysterious white Spirit Bear. Our tours are timed for peak natural events.

Remarkable Wildlife

Experience remarkable wildlife, from whales and bears to marine birds and colourful intertidal life

Land of the Spirit Bear

Seen when lucky in their natural habitat, with expert, Indigenous guides.

Indigenous Culture

Ancient human history and modern First Nations culture with local hosts.

Incredible Landscapes

Cruising and exploring granite fjords, west-coast beaches, and natural hot springs.

Inquire Today

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

Get In Touch

Frequently Asked Questions

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

To reach Prince Rupert, 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. If you are ending in Kitimat or Bella Bella, transport is arranged back to the airport along with other guests on your tour. For guests arriving into Prince Rupert airport, you will need to collect your luggage and load it onto the luggage vehicle before you board a separate shuttle. Both vehicles will drive you to the ferry and cross to downtown Prince Rupert drop off. Collect your luggage and taxi to the marina (contact information for taxi companies is provided to you before 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.

Fall brings mild temperatures to the Great Bear Rainforest, averaging 10-15°C (50-59°F) with occasional rain. The region’s temperate rainforest thrives in this season, showcasing its vibrant colours. Be prepared with waterproof clothing and layers for changing weather conditions and check local forecasts before your trip for the most up-to-date information.

One of the peak seasons to visit the Great Bear Rainforest is during the Fall, specifically from late August to October. This period coincides with the salmon run, when millions of salmon return to the rivers to spawn. This natural phenomenon attracts a wide range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, and the rare white Spirit Bear, all gathering along the coast to feast on the abundant salmon. It’s important to note that the Great Bear Rainforest experiences a temperate climate, which means it can be visited year-round. However, if you specifically want to witness the salmon run and maximize your chances of seeing bears, Fall is an ideal time to plan your visit.

Spirit bears live in the Great Bear Rainforest year-round. 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. It’s important to note that this is a rare bear that lives in an extremely rugged, mountainous environment. We do not guarantee that you will see a spirit bear, even in September and October. But because we know the area so well, we have an excellent track record.

If you don’t care about that (or you are a betting person, knowing that at least 50% of the time people see spirit bears in late August), but you do want to be sure to have a good chance to view grizzly bears, then you can come in August as well.

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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