Exploring the Great Bear Rainforest isn’t just about seeing wildlife or cruising through remote fjords—it’s about stepping into one of the planet’s last truly wild places. This vast temperate rainforest, stretching along British Columbia’s rugged coastline, is home to ancient cedars, vibrant marine life, and the legendary spirit bear found only in a small area. Through decades of campaigns and planning, much of it is now protected. It spans the territory of many coastal Indigenous nations.
Maple Leaf Adventures has spent nearly 40 years guiding small groups through this extraordinary landscape, offering deep immersion that larger ships simply can’t match. But what makes this experience different, and why does it cost more than a mainstream cruise? Let’s break it down.
Photo: Simon Ager
Feel small in the breathtaking waters of the Great Bear Rainforest, surrounded by towering mountains and pristine wilderness.
How Much Does a Great Bear Rainforest Tour Cost?
The cost of a tour in the Great Bear Rainforest can vary widely depending on the type of experience.
- Small ship expedition cruises, like those offered by Maple Leaf Adventures, range from $5,000 to $15,000 CAD ($4,000 to $11,000 USD) depending on season, ship and length of trip (typically a week to nine days).
- Larger 100-passenger expedition ships cost $7,000 to $14,000 CAD ($5,000 to $10,000 USD) for a comparable trip, with fewer days in the Great Bear Rainforest due to transit from large ports like Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, and Seattle.
- Lodge-based wildlife tours range from $10,000 to $20,000 CAD ($7,500 to $15,000 USD), while shorter day trips and adventure tours are priced from $500 to $4,000 CAD ($375 to $3,000 USD) not including travel and accommodation.
- Some 1,000+ passenger cruise ships offer routes through the outer passages of the Great Bear Rainforest, but will not be covered in this article, as the experience provides only distant glimpses of the coastline and wildlife.
These higher price points reflect the region’s exclusivity and accessibility challenges. The Great Bear Rainforest is remote, with no major roads leading in. Everything—from fresh food and fuel to guides and equipment—must be transported in by boat or floatplane. Unlike mass tourism destinations with established infrastructure, this pristine wilderness requires a significant investment in logistics and sustainability to ensure both an exceptional experience for guests and minimal impact on the natural ecosystems.
What’s Included in Maple Leaf Adventures’ Tours?
A journey with Maple Leaf Adventures isn’t just a cruise—it’s an all-inclusive exploration led by seasoned mariners, Indigenous cultural guides, and expert naturalists. Here’s what’s covered in the pricing:
- Cozy Accommodation: Live aboard classic ships like the schooner Maple Leaf, the heritage tugboat Swell, or the modern expedition yacht Cascadia. These vessels provide an intimate setting with lodge-like accommodations and panoramic views of all the action.
- Gourmet Cuisine: A dedicated chef prepares locally-sourced meals inspired by the region, from fresh seafood to wild-foraged ingredients.
- Guided Excursions: Daily outings include rainforest hikes, bear viewing, whale watching, beach walks, hot springs, and visits to Indigenous cultural sites.
- Adventure Activities: Kayaking, paddleboarding, and small boat tours exploring hidden coves where larger vessels can’t access.
- Exclusive Access: Maple Leaf Adventures’ long-standing relationships with local First Nations provide connections to people and the place not available to other kinds of trips.
- Insightful Journeys: Naturalists and scientists offer insights into the ecosystem, wildlife behavior, and ongoing conservation efforts. They are your constant companions and welcome your curiosity while aboard.
Photo: Kevin Smith
See the rare and majestic Spirit Bear in its natural habitat—just one wildlife encounters possible on our all-inclusive tours, guided by expert naturalists and Indigenous guides.
Why the Higher Price? A Look at Value
The cost of a Maple Leaf Adventures tour reflects more than just high-quality service—it’s an investment in a deeper, richer, and more responsible way of experiencing the Great Bear Rainforest.
1. Small Group Size & Personalized Experience
With only 8 to 24 guests per trip, each traveller gets front-row access to nature. This small group size ensures more time ashore, up-close wildlife encounters, and a flexible itinerary that adapts to nature’s rhythms. Unlike larger ships where excursions are tightly scheduled and crowded, Maple Leaf’s guests enjoy spontaneous moments—whether that be watching a mother grizzly teach her cubs to fish or a pod of humpbacks bubble-net feeding in the mist. A high crew-to-guest ratio means there is time for one on one conversations and a true sense of camaraderie.
Photo: Tavish Campbell
Gather around the campfire with likeminded explorers, sharing stories and experiences after a day of adventure in remote rainforest beauty.
2. Exclusive Access to Protected Natural Places
Larger expedition ships are restricted to deeper waters and established ports. In contrast, Maple Leaf Adventures’ small ships slip into hidden inlets, anchor in secluded bays, and land on remote beaches where no other tourists are present. We also hold permits and agreements that allow entry into protected locations with exclusive access. As a result of our long history working with others on the coast to protect and raise awareness about the Great Bear Rainforest, we have also been invited into areas that give our guests unique experiences.
3. Unparalleled Wildlife Viewing
The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the best places on Earth to see bears—grizzlies, black bears, and the rare white-furred spirit bear. On a Maple Leaf Adventures tour, naturalist guides use their expertise to position guests for the best viewing opportunities while maintaining ethical distances. The result? Intimate wildlife encounters that feel natural, not staged. The estuaries and creeks in the Great Bear Rainforest are quite small, and are suited to small groups of guests. Many of the bears we see, we know well from years as respectful guests in their home.
4. Commitment to Conservation & Local Communities
Sustainable tourism is at the heart of Maple Leaf Adventures. A portion of each trip’s revenue supports conservation initiatives, including:
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation: Protecting the rainforest and its waters, conducting baseline scientific research co-managed with Indigenous stewards; ending the trophy killing of grizzly bears and other wildlife in much of the Great Bear Rainforest by purchasing commercial hunting rights to stop trophy hunting, and being a major part of the successful campaign to end the hunt for good.
- Whale Research at Cetacealab and Fin Island Whale Research Station: These researchers have provided important research and documentation of the whales and other cetaceans in the Great Bear Rainforest, including identifying new critical habitat, documenting humpback whales ‘practising’ their mating songs as they migrate out of echoing fjords, and much more associated with the comeback of whales in the area. Our guests always enjoy our visits with these researchers.
- Marine Debris Cleanups: Maple Leaf Adventures has helped remove over 360 tonnes of marine debris from BC’s coast in the past five years.
- Indigenous-Led Stewardship: Partnering with First Nations to support cultural tourism and habitat protection.
By choosing this kind of travel, guests are directly contributing to the protection of the rainforest and the livelihoods of its Indigenous communities.
Photo: Jeff Reynolds
Maple Leaf Adventures’ crew actively participate in marine debris clean-up efforts, removing harmful debris from the Great Bear Rainforest coastline.
How Maple Leaf Adventures Compares to Larger Expedition Ships
| Feature | Maple Leaf Adventures | Large Expedition Ships |
| Group Size | 8-24 guests | Up to 100+ guests |
| Time Ashore | More time on land | Limited due to logistics |
| Wildlife Viewing | Close encounters, no crowds, low impact | Shared sightings, limited access, occasionally disruptive |
| Access to Remote Areas | Small bays, exclusive sites | Larger ports, restricted zones |
| Eco-Footprint | Low-impact travel, revenues support local businesses and suppliers | Higher emissions, larger footprint, revenues go to international corporations. |
A Deep Connection to the Great Bear Rainforest
Every detail of a Maple Leaf Adventures expedition is designed to foster guests’ connection with the place. From waking up to the sound of wolves howling in the distance, to sharing stories around a beachside fire with guides, the experience is about more than just sightseeing—it’s about feeling the heartbeat of the rainforest.
Is It Worth the Investment?
For travellers seeking more than a quick visit, Maple Leaf Adventures provides an opportunity to be part of the story of the Great Bear Rainforest. The all-inclusive price covers not just meals and accommodations, but also deep expertise, conservation leadership, and access to places that few ever get to see.
While budget-conscious travelers may find larger ships appealing, those who choose Maple Leaf Adventures are choosing an experience that’s richer, more immersive, and ultimately more rewarding. It’s not just a trip—it’s a journey into one of the most spectacular and fragile ecosystems on the planet, led by those who have spent their lives exploring, living in, and protecting it.
Photo: Jeff Reynolds
Enjoy serene and ever-changing views in remote anchorages, where the larger ships dare not sail.
Plan Your Great Bear Rainforest Tour
If you’re ready to explore the Great Bear Rainforest in a way that’s intimate, ethical, and deeply connected to place, Maple Leaf Adventures offers a rare and meaningful way to do make it happen. Explore our Great Bear Rainforest tours to learn more and reserve your spot on an upcoming expedition cruise.
