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Indigenous Tour: Grizzly Bears & Salish Sea
4.8
13 Ratings
Campbell River
Explore Indigenous culture and wildlife on a deluxe tour through the Salish Sea, spotting grizzlies and whales with expert guides.
Explore Indigenous culture and wildlife on a deluxe tour through the Salish Sea, spotting grizzlies and whales with expert guides.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Salish Sea - Enjoy a comfortable journey on a covered, heated boat through the Salish Sea to Orford Bay. During the trip, the skipper and a First Nation guide will share insights into the area’s rich human history and legends while watching for marine wildlife.
- Church House - The deserted village of Aupe, also known as Church House, is…
- Salish Sea - Enjoy a comfortable journey on a covered, heated boat through the Salish Sea to Orford Bay. During the trip, the skipper and a First Nation guide will share insights into the area’s rich human history and legends while watching for marine wildlife.
- Church House - The deserted village of Aupe, also known as Church House, is renowned for its abundant fishing and clam beds. Although the last Homalco residents left in the early 1980s, the area remains filled with stories and memories of the people.
- Bute Inlet - Experience the stunning landscapes of Homalco territory as you travel up Bute Inlet. Enjoy a picnic lunch with the breathtaking Orford River estuary as your backdrop.
- Orford Bay - Enter grizzly bear territory on the traditional lands of the Homalco First Nation. Expert bear guides will transport you by mini-bus to safe viewing areas where you can observe these majestic animals at various sites and wildlife viewing towers along the Orford and Algard Rivers. Discover the history and legends of the Homalco people and their connection to the land while learning about bear behavior and habitat.
- Campbell River - Return to Campbell River from Orford Bay. Stay alert for any nearby marine wildlife!
What's Included
- Lunch
- Snacks
- All Fees and Taxes
- On-board restrooms
- Tea and coffee
- Lunch
- Snacks
- All Fees and Taxes
- On-board restrooms
- Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
- Transportation to and from tour office
- Gratuites
- Transportation to and from tour office
- Gratuites
Additional Information
Discover the most extensive Indigenous and wilderness tours available. Embark on a journey through the breathtaking Salish Sea to a historic Homalco First Nation village site, where you can observe grizzly bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. Gain insights into the rich history of the people and their harmonious coexistence with these…
Discover the most extensive Indigenous and wilderness tours available. Embark on a journey through the breathtaking Salish Sea to a historic Homalco First Nation village site, where you can observe grizzly bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. Gain insights into the rich history of the people and their harmonious coexistence with these magnificent creatures for thousands of years.
This premium wilderness and Indigenous cultural tour will take you to Aupe, an uninhabited Homalco village site, offering a unique perspective on the traditions of the people. From there, travel through the Bute Inlet, one of British Columbia’s most renowned whale-watching areas, to Orford Bay for a picnic lunch amidst a stunning mountain backdrop. Expert guides will accompany you on a land-based exploration to spot grizzly bears, elk, and eagles along salmon-rich rivers.
Location
1003B Island Hwy
Island Highway
Homalco Tours is located at the Coast Marina, 1003B Island Hwy, Campbell River, BC V9W 2C4. The office is located next to Dockside Fish & Chips. All-day parking is available at the Tyee Plaza Shopping Centre across the street.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(13 Ratings)
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109mandeepn
Oct 27, 2025
Highly recommend!! - Recently did a tour with them and it was an amazing experience. All the guides were very friendly, knowledgable, very patient and we spotted 6 bears including mama bear with cubs. It was an amazing experience and would definitely recommend them to anyone interested in a tour. We also saw whales on the way back making the tour extra special!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allisony500
Sep 30, 2025
Orcas, and humpbacks, and grizzlies! Oh my! - Guy did a fantastic job of finding orcas and humpbacked whales for us. Janet, with her amazing cedar hat, shared her culture, and was a good educator about the wildlife. Saw some new birds for me . A glorious morning of watching birds and mammals on the water! Kalvin and Wilson found the places where we saw seven grizzlies! Unforgettable day. Awesome tour!
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Frantf9862lm
Sep 25, 2025
One in a life time experience - Oh my! I’m still not sure I’ve processed just what a special tour that was. Learning about the Homalco culture from Cassie felt like we were getting to know the historic Canada I’d really hoped we’d get from this. Then along side that so much wildlife - sea lions, seals, vultures, eagles, a baby humpback, black bears and the phenomenal grizzlies! It was made more precious seeing the obvious love and care for these animals from our hosts - they were truly as happy to see them as we all were. This was a once in a life time trip that excelled beyond all our expectations - thank you Cassie, Ron, Dude and Gary for your kindness and wonderful knowledge throughout the day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G7201pkdavem
Sep 23, 2025
Awesome wildlife viewing, learn more about the wildlife and the Homaclo people!!! - Incredible full day tour loaded with wildlife experiences and a great opportunity to learn more about the Homalco culture. The star of the wildlife was the grizzly bear but we also saw humpback whales, orca whales, eagles, multiple waterfowl and the salmon run. Buck and Caitlin were the guides for the grizzly tour and did and awesome job (I believe that Buck may be part bear himself).
Cassie and Elliot were outstanding hosts and did an amazing job presenting the Homalco people and their relationship with the natural landscape. In addition to culture, they explained the geological wonders we were boating through and sighted whales to make the trip extra-special. They engaged the audience, welcoming questions and made the effort to know their audience by asking us questions. Their passion for wildlife preservation and love of the animals was real (Mama Cass)!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
388pippac
Sep 22, 2025
A day to remember - What an incredible day tour! We were well cared for and kept safe throughout. Cassie shared information about the Homalco people and she made this personal by referring to family members and their experiences. Our captain, Elliot was also full of knowledge and they were both happy to answer any questions. The boat ride was beautiful and you could sit in or outside. There was less walking that anticipated. Lunch was pretty good - nice sandwich, cookie and hot drink. Wildlife was amazing, 8 grizzlies, humpback whales, an eagle and some distant orcas. It was a shame not to stay with the whales longer but I guess there was a curfew!! Honestly, one of the most lovely, intimate, fascinating and mind-blowing days! Thank you
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D7040vknancys
Sep 20, 2025
Grizzly Bear Viewing - Thank you, Kalvin and Buck, for a wonderful experience in viewing grizzly bears in their natural habitat. I loved the stories you shared from your culture and explanation of challenges in getting your language recognized. It was a privilege to be invited onto your territory. You provided me with a day I will long cherish.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kttaylor44
Sep 20, 2025
Great trip seeing Grizzly Bears and whales - We had a brilliant day which was certainly helped by the gorgeous weather and lovely staff that were informative and helpful. We saw Grizzly Bears and Whales
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H9025zxphilh
Sep 18, 2025
Wonderful bear watching experience - Kalvin and Gary were excellent tour guides. We carried out a tour arranged by the Sonora Resort yesterday and as Kalvin would say ‘The spirits were with us’. Apart from the stories Kalvin gave us an excellent insight into the Hamalco ways. Blessed by good weather and sunshine we were guided through the various viewing areas where we followed a number of Grizzly’s and had an amazing experience observing a mother with her two cubs feeding and playing. It was the highlight of our tour and a very special experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnmt9744jk
Sep 14, 2025
An experience never to forget - Fabulous experience. Jenny and Mark were our cultural specialist and pilot, very knowledgable and made time to see any wildlife when the opportunity arose and there were lots of them. We were looked after with lunch, snacks and hot drinks.
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Halb639
Sep 13, 2025
Awesome experience! - Great experience! The tour was 10 hours and our boat guide and pilot were terrific - thanks Cassie and Guy. Our grizzly experience was awesome - a mother and 2 yearlings and 5 independent large males - all from close distances, as little as 30 meters. Thanks to our bear guides, Conrad and Jared.
The culture aspect of the trip was excellent and so well explained.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
