Bear watching without a float plane trip????? - Vancouver Island
 

Hi there,
we may be visiting this area next June / July and
I am wondering whether there are any bear tours that do not involve a float plane trip?
I am a little confused by the map I have and want information about the following places:
Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Tofino and Campbell River.
What other suggestions do you have to view bears without flying in a small plane?
We are from Australia and have visited Canada and Alaska before but unfortunately, didn't see bears. We had a few near misses and this time I really want to ensure I see bears in the wild.
Thanks for your help
Donna

I went with Remote Passages in Tofino on their bear-watching trip...on a boat...and had great close-up views of bears.

http://www.remotepassages.com/

Hi SusieQQ,
what time of year did you do your trip?
I will check out the site that you gave.
Thanks for your help.
Donna

June and July should be fine for bear watching. We have bears in our back forest right now, they are very active and sightings should be quite common. In the Tofino Ucluelet area the tours are pretty good at knowing where they are. Usually you can combine a whale watching and bear watching tour. Even the drive up there, you may see bears.

Lordy, I was in Tofino the first week in June. I even saw a mother bear and two cubs at the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre in the Pacific Rim Park...infact they were on the path right near the parking lot

I visit Tofino often, and my husband and I have often seen bears. I mean its not like they rampant everywhere, BUT if you take a drive around some of the off roads and such, you will probably come across one. We would just go looking for them down some of the dirt roads in a car usually. I would not advise going to look for one on foot! LOL

Honestly that is how we have seen most of our wildlife on our own just exploring around..

Thanks for your great replies and suggestions.
We have been to Canada and Alaska ( Denali ) but did not see bears up close.
I have been put off flying in a small plane and am very pleased that I can visit Vancouver Island / Tofino etc and see probably see bears.
Eagle3, I agree with you about not getting too close.
When we were in Lake Louise and near Seward, bears were in the area but we didn't see them. When we went to Denali we saw bears way in the distance.
We have only stayed in Victoria for a few days and did not have a car that trip but always said we would come back one day.
Not sure if we will come from Vancouver or Seattle.
We have already done an Alaskan cruise but are considering doing one again.
Thanks again for all of your help
Donna

hey there. A couple of things - are you interested in black bears or grizzlies? Black bears you can find just about anywhere in the area, if you spend enough time in the bush, Black bears are neat animals, but are smaller and more timid than grizzlies.

Grizzlies, on the other hand, are amazing. They are very large and quite intimidating. Interestingly, they are also way more susceptible to environmental degradation, which is why you can't find them very many places anymore. Campbell River has some good Grizzly Bear boat tours, as does Telegraph Cove, which is north of Campbell River. These tours run all summer.

Hi SCJoanie,
we would like to see both kinds of bears if possible.
As I mentioned before, we have been to Canada and US before but have been unsuccessful and seeing bars.
How do you get to Campbell River and Telegraph Cove?
We would like to go to Tofino and Ucluelet as well.
Look forward to your recommendations.
Thanks
Donna

Campbell River and Telegraph Cove are both on the east side of Vancouver Island, about half-way to 2/3 of the way up to the northern tip. Once you are on the Inland Island Highway (Highway 19, which you have to take to get to Tofino as well), you just continue north until you hit Campbell River, and then continue north until you are almost at Port McNeill, and then west to Telegraph Cove. It's quite a remote area, but it is gorgeous.

My suggestion with finding black bears: figure out what fruit is in season in the bush whenever you are going, and then find a spot with lots of that fruit in abundance. If you are quiet enough, a bear will come through. But, please be careful. Black bears can startle easily, especially of they are with their young. Bear spray is a must as well as knowing what to do in the event of a bear encounter. Bears are generally best watched from a distance so as not to disturb them. The tours are generally much safer, as you are in a boat.

Hope this helps, and good luck in your bear-viewing!

Whoops, you go east to Telegraph Cove, not west!

Thanks SCJoanie.
I woild like to see bears safely and from a distance, so definitely will take a tour.
Are there places to stay in the Telegraph Cove / Campbell River / Port McNeill areas?
Thanks again for your help
Donna