Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bears Sailing
- Upcoming Departures:
- Jun 3 - 9, 2026
Highlights
Highlights
- Spectacular grizzly bear viewing in the Khutzeymateen Conservancy
- Great opportunities to view marine mammals including seals, sea lions, humpback whales and the infamous orca, or killer whale.
- Experience the local First Nation culture and view a collection of petroglyphs
Map
Map
Overview
Tour Overview
The Khutzeymateen Inlet is one of British Columbia’s most northern glacial fjords, with characteristic steep cliffs, thick forests and rich estuary ecosystems. The Khutzeymateen Valley is Canada’s only grizzly bear sanctuary and is home to British Columbia’s most important coastal bear population.
We voyage along the Inlet’s winding shores and expect some wonderful bear viewing in the new Khutzeymateen Conservancy. We look forward to exploring the outer islands, watching Steller sea lions on the hunt and at play. While ashore, we walk along rugged beaches and take the time for hikes to see bog flowers. Each day, we enjoy our time for incredible sea kayaking among rock studded anchorages.
Departures & Cabins
DEPARTURES & CABINS
More dates may be available than those listed - contact us for more information.
Deck Plan
What's Included
What's Included
Tour Price Includes
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day
- All accommodation onboard ship; skipper, cook, naturalist;
- Full use of all onboard facilities, including kayaks.
Tour Price Does Not Include
- Transportation to the start point and from the finish point of the trip
- Accommodation or meals prior to the start of the trip or after the completion
- Travel or cancellation insurance
- Airport transfers
- $200 CAD Sustainability Fee
- Taxes (5% GST)
- The only money participants require during the trip is for optional purchases and gratuities for the crew.
Gallery
Gallery
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation Prince Rupert
Meet your vessel late morning at Cow Bay in Prince Rupert. Departing the harbour quickly leads us off the beaten path into the awe-inspiring geography of the north coast of British Columbia with its dense rainforests, winding fjords, and high rugged mountains.
Days 2 - 3: Chatham Sound
The myriad of islands in Chatham Sound offer remote beaches to explore and beautiful anchorages in which to kayak, while the waters here offer the chance to search for marine mammals such as sea lions and whales.
The waters surrounding these outer islands are more exposed and we hope for a good wind to allow for the opportunity to raise the sails and enjoy the silence and serenity of nature.
Days 4 - 6: Khutzeymateen Inlet
Sailing inland we’ll spend one day bear viewing in Ksi X’anmaas (Kwinimass River) Conservancy and two days bear viewing in Khutzeymateen Inlet (Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary). The Khutzeymateen Valley holds Canada’s first grizzly bear sanctuary and these adjacent inlets are an important home to a dense bear population. In Khutzeymateen Inlet, our trip focuses on bear viewing along the shores of the inlet and into the estuary where only a few operators are permitted. Thanks to this exclusivity, this stunning bear viewing location with its backdrop of snow-capped peaks is a well kept secret.
After anchoring, we’ll proceed by zodiac as we take care to spot foraging bears from the water. May and June are peak season for viewing as bears are attracted to the estuary for its abundance of protein rich sedge grasses – an integral spring food source. Spring is also mating season which means there is the potential to see larger male grizzlies in search of females.
Day 7 - Return to Prince Rupert
We return through narrow Venn Passage to Prince Rupert. Venn Passage has an incredible collection of petroglyphs (indigenous rock carvings); tides depending, we may have a chance to see some of these ancient carvings and learn of their history from a local Tsimshian Guide.
We return to Prince Rupert around noon. Guests will have time for lunch and a wander through town before catching a mid-afternoon flight back to Vancouver.
What to Expect
What to Expect
On our Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear tour, as in all of our destinations, our itineraries remain flexible. This allows the crew to take time to enjoy wildlife sightings, spend more time at an ancient village site, or simply cater to the interests of the group.
Usually on the Pacific Coast we have a good variety of constantly changing weather. Expect a mixture of sunshine, rain and wind on most trips. You will require waterproof rain gear and rubberboots as most of our landings will be wet, where you will be stepping into the water and onto the beach.
We travel in protected areas most of the time. On many days of the summer this coast is like sailing on a lake – flat and calm. Sometimes we cross into open water for short periods of time where we may experience greater motion. If you are prone to motion sickness it is a good idea to bring sea sickness medication. Check with your doctor.
All of our meals are served buffet style. We can usually accommodate most special dietary concerns if we are given sufficient advance notice.
Ship & Deck Plan
Ship & Deck Plan: Island Roamer
Island Roamer
The Island Roamer features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 3 heads with hot showers, a large comfortable lounge with an extensive library, and a well-equipped galley. On deck, the large covered seating area provides protection in all types of weather. The Island Roamer is large enough for comfort, privacy and safety, and small enough to create a good rapport among passengers and crew.
A certified Canadian Ministry of Transport passenger vessel, Island Roamer has all of the safety equipment, electronic navigation aids, and features you would expect from a vessel of her standard.
All of our cabins have adequate storage space for your bags, personal items and jackets. Coat hangers and life jackets are stowed in every cabin for your convenience. There is electricity in each room, so you can charge your camera batteries and enjoy a reading light as you relax in the evening.
Learn MoreDeck Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Featured Wildlife
Featured Wildlife
While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds or mammals listed below, we believe that encountering these species is quite likely during this tour.
- Black Bear
- Grizzly Bear
- Bald Eagle
- Black Oystercatcher
- American Dipper
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee
- Humpback Whale
- Orca (Killer Whale)
- Seals
- Stellar sea lions
