Daydreamer

Any recent reviews or experiences w/Knight Inlet Lodge? (the floating lodge)

It's very expensive, but we're pondering it vs. a daytrip there (which sounds very nice too) mostly because it would provide at least 2 or more times to get to see grizzlies. (vs. one shot w/the daytrip)

So, if weather iffy in early October...
could maybe get some time w/better weather, at least. (and several chances to get to see bears hopefully)

Plus, may have kids w/in a year or so & figure a trip like this would become impossible. (financially & otherwise)
'Course almost impossible NOW financially.
So....just trying to figure out if it's worth it or not.

Any comments most welcome!
Thanks.

Daydreamer

No one has stayed here?
I guess it's kind of an unknown place, eh?

I'm talking about grizzlytours.com
not the fishing lodge there.
Thanks!

NWWanderer

I have been there as I posted in another thread, but not recently so I didn't respond to this one ;-). My stay was in Oct 99 and it was quite a bit less expensive then. I loved it...it was an amazing experience, but I'm not sure I'd pay what they are charging these days.

Daydreamer

Thanks NWWanderer!

I didn't realize you'd been.
Actually, they have a promotional rate (just found out) for October this year.
(or so it seems)

It's still up there in price, but now, something we're considering a bit more, at least.

May I ask how long were you there? What tours you participated in?

Time of year/weather? (I'm sure not October, like us...taking a huge gamble w/the weather.) ;-)

If you don't want to share all here, feel free to email me at:
[email protected]

Would truly appreciate it! Was the food okay? Any room to ask for?
(just kidding, I'm doubting they're the reason for going, eh?!)
I was at Lake O'Hara in the off-season once...in the world's teeniest (even by their standards room)! Very plain, etc.

But the experience was truly very special. So...we may consider, since we're not getting any younger, and have a fair number of health worries already.

Also, was the flight over gentle?
(as that's part of my health concern)

Please share the scoop when you have time. Would love to hear more. (either here on directly)

Thanks again, NWWanderer!

NWWanderer

Yes, it was in October--you may recall that was the reason for my original response to you (you were asking about weather in October).

It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure I was there for 3 nights, 2 days. Did 2 bear viewings, the whale watching trip and the tour of Knight Inlet. Oh, and an hour or two kayak tour around the lodge (where we saw an amazing amount of bald eagles--couldn't count them all!).

The food was ok, nothing special. Same with the room. But that's not why you go there, IMO.

The flight was fine (although I hate small planes, so I was white knuckling it ;-))...although since you live in this area, you know fog is a concern that time of year. Now that I think about it, a few people were "stuck" there for an extra day because the plane couldn't take off from Campbell River to come pick them up due to fog. And when we were able to fly back, we had to fly low along the coast under the fog...so really low!

Daydreamer

Wanderer...
actually I don't live in that area at all. I often wish I could, but alas,
am in Nor Cal.

Sorry I didn't recall your earlier posting re: October. Brain spacey these last few weeks! ;-)

Kinda scary about the planes, it seems. Sigh...will have to ponder further.

Lastly, did you only see bears 2x during all that time, due to not caring *that* much about seeing them more? Or, was it due to too many wanting to see them, than they had space for going out to see them?
(too many competing for too few spots?)

If so, that would be a bummer as it seems that should be one of the fringe benefits of spluring to go there! (seeing them much more)

The kayaking sounds cool! Did you do any hikes, per chance? Did you feel the marine tour was worth it? (or just too far to see whales)
I guess they go to Johnstone Strait which is reached more easily from Telegraph Cove area.

Thanks again!! (TRULY!)

Daydreamer

Meant to say...
one of the benefits of "splurging"
would seem to be getting to see bears more than w/a day trip outing
like other companies offer for
more reasonable prices.

Sorry for the typo's

tom22

I would say, your a little bit late. Knight Inlet bear viewing is very polular and most of the dates are already booked out. Keep in mind, that the bear viewing platform has only a very limited capacity. The day trips and Lodge trips use the same platform!

You can take a look into the calender for the day trip's to get a better feeling for your trip planning.

http://www.tiderip.com/calendar.htm

There are also other bear viewing lodges in alternative inlets. But I checked also the other lodges and they report only very limited availibilities for 2006.

Try again in 2007 and book early.

NWWanderer

Oh, sorry, my mistake. I just assumed that since you were so familiar with the places in the San Juans, you lived in this area!

Anyway...going bear viewing 2x times during the time I was there was due to the limited capacity of the platform.

No, no hikes. With the Lodge being a floating one and all the bears around and all ;-)...

I did think the marine tour was worth it...yes, it was a longish trip to the Strait but we saw a whole bunch of orcas so I didn't mind.

Daydreamer

Thanks Tom & NWWanderer...
appreciate the further info.

Hmmmm...I sort of thought the guy said there was some minimum guarantee on how many times you could see the bears, if doing their lodge. (altho' I do realize they need to share w/others)

Will definitely ask more questions before deciding which way to go. (daytrip vs. lodge)

As far as space goes...both still have a few spots. (thankfully for us)
So, will somehow go view grizzlies this Fall.

Thanks again for
all the feedback.

tom22

I understood during our day trip, that all knight inlet visitor get the same time frame (2 hours per person) for bearving on the platform.

You will get another 2 hours, if you book the extra bear viewing package.

I do not know, if this of intrest for you, but there is another bear viewing lodge in another inlet. The lodge can be reached by floatplan from Port Hardy (and reported limited availibility for 2006 bear viewing season). You can use the following link to get more information:

www.greatbeartours.com

Daydreamer

Thanks, Tom! Have you done tours w/either company?

Know anything about the particular inlets they are located in...?
Which one is more 'spectacular'?

Looks like this one is a smaller lodge/company. Only concern is safety, etc. I do like the sound of it as far as more time w/bears & emphasis on photography.

*Please* share more if you know more. Thanks!