Great Bear Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the world’s most incredible wildernesses, covering 6.4 million hectares over 400 km towards the Alaskan border. This vast protected area is about the size of Ireland, encompassing a quarter of the world’s coastal rainforest. Its most famous resident is the rare white Kermode bear, known as the “Spirit Bear”, considered sacred by First Nations communities.

The forest is also home to grizzlies, black bears and otters, while in the coastal waters there are great opportunities to watch orcas, humpbacks, dolphins and grey whales.

The wildlife watching is the highlight of any visit, while staying at lodges, many of which are indigenous-owned. As well as bears, there’s abundant birdlife, nature walks to see 1,000-year-old spruce and cedar trees, and whale-watching in the Pacific and straits off Vancouver Island. Popular activities in the rainforest include hiking, fishing, rafting and kayaking.