Kayaking The Great Bear Rainforest

Tour Overview...

This is a highly sought tour that does require early reservations to insure the required infrastructure is in place. We strongly recommend that if you are interested in this tour that you should book before June 1 2008. As this is a considerable remote area you can appreciate the planning and support infrastructure that is required to ensure your comfort and safety. Feel free to call our toll free phone number to inquire about this tour.

The northern portion of the Inside Passage is covered with remote and pristine rainforests. These trips are once in a lifetime adventures.

A number of the passages we will be exploring are only visited in the summer months. This is done to ensure calm waters, take advantage of the mild temperatures, and allow us the best conditions for sea kayaking.

Our trip takes us into the wilderness of the many large islands. Exploring small creeks and marshy areas with the hope of catching more than a glimpse of the great white bear of the hidden coast. On one such island it is possible to view > MOKSGM'OL the rare white Kermode Bear.

 

Our focal point is Klemtu

Here we will meet the guides and spend time exploring Klemtu before we venture into the Great Bear Rainforest.

The MOKSGM'OL has chosen to live amongst these waters and forests because of the many salmon streams and vast territories in which to roam. Here Cedar and Spruce rainforests border both sides of long stretches of rarely paddled waterways. It is these waterways that are often traveled by migrating Gray Whales, Sea Lions, Heron, Arctic Loons, and Bald Eagles.

The mood of this wilderness is reflected in its constantly changing weather patterns which often appears as a misty shroud in the morning and blossoms into a bright sunlight by mid-day.

As the weather clears the spectacular backdrop of the snowcapped peaks can be seen. Amongst these snow covered peaks lie the remains of a proud coastal native cultural, known as the Helistuk People.

 

Tour Highlights...

Your adventure starts in Kitasoo Bay. Here you will meet your guides, visit Historical First Nations sites of interest and of course you will prepare your gear in your kakaks. The Great Bear Rain Forest Kayak Tour is nomadic and for the next five days you will be guided into breath taking ancient locations of the Great Bear Rainforest, you will experience First Nations Culture, and hike into Ancient Rainforests in search of the Great Spirit Bear. While the actual tour is flexible you can expect daily kayaking to new camp locations. Doing so allows you to experience the Great Bear Rainforest, it nature, and its remote wilderness location.

Dates and Costs...

Great Bear Rainforest trips on Central Coast of BC (includes charter air flight from Port Hardy/Kitasoo Bay return for $2150)

For those that wish to find their own way to Kitasoo Bay the Great Bear Tour is $1,250

As there is considerable planning involved with this tour it is not likely that Discovery Expeditions can accept any tour bookings after June 1 2008. If you are interested in this tour please reserve your spot as soon as possible.

 

Tour Dates for 2008

August 22-26 , 26-30

September 1-5 , 5-9, 9-13, 13-17

These dates have been selected based on Salmon Runs and weather in the area.

Our Kayaks Used on this tour...

The Kayaks used on our Great Bear Kayak Tour are big reliable Necky and Seawards. A combination of singles and double kayaks are used however it is our experience that this tour is best enjoyed using our double kayaks by Necky and Seaward. All our expedition kayaks feature a rudder system to help with steering when water conditions turn rough.

As you will be required to carry your gear in our kayaks as we move around the Great Bear Forest you will find that our selected kayaks both singles and doubles are of a length and width that will ensure adequate space for all your gear. You will find that our kayaks are well suited for West Coast expeditions and once you become familiar with your kayak you will appreciate its ability to manage the ever changing water conditions that we experience on the west coast of British Columbia.

To complement our kayaks Discovery Expeditions also provides well designed wooden paddles, comfortable life jackets in a range of sizes to ensure that your paddling experience is an enjoyable one.