Canada
Canada - Kayak Expedition Great Bear Rainforest
Canada - Kayak Expedition Great Bear Rainforest
Duration
10 days
Start/End
Beautiful Beautiful/Clemt
Tour type
Group
Level
Very demanding
Accommodation
Tent (wilderness camping)
Overview
The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. You paddle through the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo/Xai’xais, through sheltered bays and passages with strong tidal currents, spending nine nights in a row in the wilderness. Kayaking experience is required.
The Great Bear Rainforest on the central coast of British Columbia is the largest contiguous temperate rainforest in the world—a 400-kilometer-long labyrinth of islands, fjords, and ancient forests. On this ten-day kayaking expedition, you'll paddle from Bella Bella to Klemtu through one of North America's most remote and pristine landscapes. The route connects sheltered bays, open stretches of coastline, and narrow passages with strong tidal currents. You'll travel through the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nations and discover traces of millennia of use – stone fish traps and trees from which bark and timber were once harvested. On land live wolves, deer, black and grizzly bears, sandhill cranes and bald eagles; in the water, salmon, orcas, humpback whales, sea lions and dolphins. You pitch your tents on long sandy beaches, on islands with shell beaches or in small pebbly coves – wilderness in its purest form.
Tour Code
Tour language
EnglishItinerary
Arrival
Arrival in Bella Bella
You will travel to Bella Bella on the central coast of British Columbia the day before the tour. You can reach it by plane from Vancouver or by ferry. Accommodation before the tour is not included in the tour price – we are happy to help you with booking.
Arrival in Bella Bella
Arrival
You will travel to Bella Bella on the central coast of British Columbia the day before the tour. You can reach it by plane from Vancouver or by ferry. Accommodation before the tour is not included in the tour price – we are happy to help you with booking.
Day 1
Start in Bella Bella
Tent
After meeting the guides, you'll load your kayaks and equipment. Following a briefing on kayaking and safety, you'll paddle out to the islands north of Bella Bella and set up your first camp.
Start in Bella Bella
Day 1
Tent
After meeting the guides, you'll load your kayaks and equipment. Following a briefing on kayaking and safety, you'll paddle out to the islands north of Bella Bella and set up your first camp.
Days 2–9
Through the Great Bear Rainforest
Tent
4-6 h
Over the next few days, you'll paddle for 4-6 hours daily through the island maze between Bella Bella and Klemtu – sometimes through sheltered bays, sometimes along open coastlines, and through narrow passages with strong tidal currents. You'll discover traces of the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nations, such as stone fish traps and culturally utilized trees. With a bit of luck, you might spot wolves, black and grizzly bears, orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, and dolphins. You'll camp on long sandy beaches, on islands with shell beaches, or in small pebble coves. The route is flexible and will be continuously adjusted by the guides to the weather and conditions.
Through the Great Bear Rainforest
Days 2–9
Tent
4-6 h
Over the next few days, you'll paddle for 4-6 hours daily through the island maze between Bella Bella and Klemtu – sometimes through sheltered bays, sometimes along open coastlines, and through narrow passages with strong tidal currents. You'll discover traces of the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nations, such as stone fish traps and culturally utilized trees. With a bit of luck, you might spot wolves, black and grizzly bears, orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, and dolphins. You'll camp on long sandy beaches, on islands with shell beaches, or in small pebble coves. The route is flexible and will be continuously adjusted by the guides to the weather and conditions.
Day 10
Arrival in Klemtu
On the last day you will reach the village of Klemtu, where the expedition ends. From here you will continue your journey by ferry or plane – we are happy to help you with the arrangements.
Arrival in Klemtu
Day 10
On the last day you will reach the village of Klemtu, where the expedition ends. From here you will continue your journey by ferry or plane – we are happy to help you with the arrangements.
Services
What's included
9 nights in a tent (wilderness camping)
Tents and group equipment
All meals during the tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
English-speaking kayak guides
Kayaks (single/double), paddles, paddling jackets and safety equipment
Waterproof dry bags
What's not included
Individual travel to and from the destination (we are happy to put together a suitable offer)
Travel insurance (we are happy to put together an individual offer)
Personal equipment and rain gear
Visa and vaccinations, if required (eTA for entry into Canada)
Tips
Overnight stay in Bella Bella before the tour
Character of the trip
Fitness
Very demanding
Altitude
Low
Culture / nature
Nature-led
This expedition is not for beginners – kayaking experience is required. You will paddle approximately 4–6 hours daily in fully loaded single or double kayaks, sometimes against wind and waves and through narrow passages with strong tidal currents. Time spent in a double kayak is included.
On most days, the camp is dismantled, loaded up, and set up again in a new location – a total of nine consecutive nights in the wilderness. The most physically demanding part is often carrying the heavy kayaks and equipment across the beaches; in Klemtu, there's also a steep embankment to climb. There are no toilets along the way – the tidal area is used.
You'll be traveling in an international group where teamwork, consideration, and flexibility are important. The route is intentionally flexible and is continuously adapted by the guides to the weather and conditions; safety always takes priority.
Dates and prices
Group dates
Optional
Single tent supplement
€325.00
per person
Surcharge for vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free meals
€130.00
per person
Notes on the trip
Wildlife observations
Wild animals do not adhere to travel plans – many land animals such as wolves and bears are shy, so sightings of certain species cannot be guaranteed.
Camping
For nine consecutive nights, participants will camp in tents at various wilderness locations without sanitary facilities. On most days, the camp will be taken down and set up again together.
Weather
The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the rainiest places in North America. Even in summer, expect rain, wind, and cool temperatures, and bring very good rain gear.
Catering
The guides cook hearty, fresh meals along the way. Vegan, gluten-free, or lactose-free meals are available for an extra charge.
Notice in accordance with EU Directive 2015/2302:
This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.