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See Grizzly Bears on this superb holiday at the Berry Island Wilderness Lodge
Berry Island, in the heart of the Broughton Archipelago, is host to one of the most biologically active regions of the British Columbia coast, and to Berry Island Wilderness Lodge (formerly Farewell Harbour Lodge). See grizzly bears forage on sedge, roots and berries during the spring and summer, and also emerge onto the broad, braided estuaries to feast upon the returning salmon in late summer and autumn. Berry Island Wilderness Lodge will provide experienced guides to take you out into the natural environment of the bears using zodiac boats or on foot, rather than using any viewing platforms or artificial habitats, to give you the most genuine experience. This is a great place for your bear watching holiday in Canada.
Berry Island Wilderness Lodge
The primary lodge building and common area features a lounge and dining room, bar and a large brick fireplace surrounded by large windows and a wrap around deck boasting spectacular views of the harbour with great sunsets! The expansive decks continue as a boardwalk along the shore, leading to eight, private oceanside suites with ensuite bathrooms, a cozy stove and 2 double size beds. A ramp leads off the main lodge to the floating lodge below featuring four additional suites each with a private bathroom for twelve rooms in total.
All lodge suites and common areas have unique design features incorporating natural cedar and local materials and art from the area that offer a distinctive, relaxing ‘west coast’ feel.
Grizzly Bears
Ms Vening - Travelled to Farewell Harbour Lodge"Lovely accommodation, excellent organisation"
Farewell Harbour Lodge was a great start. Lovely accommodation, excellent organisation and good food. The guides were very knowledgeable and such fun. The wildlife did not disappoint either: bears, whales, dolphins, porpoises and eagles abounded. The final morning they even managed to get us into kayaks which caused much amusement and entertainment for all!!! All the guests were very enthusiastic with their praise of this lodge.
Itinerary (7 Nights)
Here’s a day-by-day guide to your itinerary. Feel free to ask us to add other days or ideas and excursions by contacting us directly, so we can give you the best price.
Day 3-7
Vancouver to Berry Island Wilderness Lodge
Fly from Vancouver to Port Hardy to meet a transfer over to Alder Bay where...
Day 3-7
Vancouver
to Berry Island Wilderness Lodge
Fly from Vancouver to Port Hardy to meet a transfer over to Alder Bay where a high speed water taxi will take you across the Johnstone Strait to Berry Island Wilderness Lodge. After a warm welcome and short orientation provided by the staff, and time to settle into your rooms, there is time for an afternoon marine mammal viewing excursion or a sea kayak paddle in the protected waters around the lodge. The lodge will provide daily excursions alternating between bear watching and marine mammal viewing, which also provide opportunities to learn about the cultural traditions of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations who have lived in this area long before the European settlers arrived, with ancient village sites and rock art pictographs along with other evidence of their history and presence around the area you will be led through by your experienced guides.
Sample Itinerary at the Lodge
Day 1: Depart Alder Bay aboard their high speed water taxi for the scenic 25 minute service to Berry Island. Greet Berry Island Wilderness Lodge staff at the dock. Check in, receive welcome orientation and welcome appetizers. Relax, you’re there! After settling into accommodations, join an afternoon tour in search of marine wildlife in the waters of the famous Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Return to the lodge by 6pm. Buffet dinner at 7pm, followed by next day activity briefing. Evening presentation at 8pm on some aspect of coastal ecology.
Day 2: After breakfast, meet on the dock at 8am for first full day bear viewing adventure to one of the main grizzly viewing estuaries! The bear viewing takes you to one of several estuaries where you will view either from a zodiac or on foot depending on the tide. They do not use viewing platforms, preferring to view wildlife at eye level in their natural habitat. Return by 6pm; buffet dinner at 7pm followed by evening presentation on some aspect of Great Bear Rainforest, Bears or First Nations culture.
Day 3&4: 7am breakfast, then on the water at 8am for your choice of another bear viewing safari or a more extensive exploration of the the incredibly rich waters of Johnstone Strait and the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Orcas typically return to these waters mid July although Humpbacks and other marine life can often be seen in May and June. Return by 6pm for dinner and evening program.
Day 5: Choose from one of the following options:
- A short morning sea kayak excursion in the protected and crystalline waters near Farewell Harbour Lodge
- A marine excursion
- Guided interpretive rainforest hike
- Then return to the lodge for the return water taxi back to Alder Bay arriving for ongoing connections
4 nights at Berry Island Wilderness Lodge (this can be extended to 5 or 6 nights if preferred)
Day 8
Berry Island Wilderness Lodge to Vancouver
There is time on your final day for a short powerboat excursion, a chance to...
Day 8
Berry Island Wilderness Lodge
to
Vancouver
There is time on your final day for a short powerboat excursion, a chance to try your hand at some fishing or sea kayaking, or just relaxing around the lodge before taking the water taxi back to Alder Bay, where you will be transferred to Port Hardy to fly back to Vancouver. From here you could extend your holiday by heading towards the Rockies or even back over to explore more of Vancouver Island if you are not ready to fly home. Ask us to extend this suggested holiday itinerary.
