West Coast Wildlife: Grizzlies, Whales & Coastal Wonders
Classic Canadian Tours has been offering unforgettable grizzly bear viewing tours and wildlife adventures for 20 years, and we’re thrilled to bring back our famous West Coast Grizzly Bear Tour in 2025! Join us for a one-day grizzly bear expedition along the stunning British Columbia coast, where breathtaking scenery and incredible wildlife encounters await. Guest naturalist Cate Collins shares some of the spectacular sights from this bucket-list Canadian tour.
Wildlife at the Prince Rupert Port
The adventure begins the moment we arrive in Prince Rupert, B.C., a hotspot for marine wildlife. Right off the docks, harbour seals bask on the rocky shoreline while sea otters float in the calm waters. Steller sea lions gather along the coast, and bald eagles soar overhead or perch in the towering trees. Blue herons, kingfishers, and ravens add to the rich array of coastal birdlife.
Whale Watching & Marine Wildlife in Chatham Sound
Once aboard our 72-foot catamaran, we set sail through Chatham Sound, a prime location for whale watching in B.C. This area is a critical stop on the migratory route for orcas, humpback whales, and grey whales. If conditions are right, we may witness orcas breaching or humpback whales feeding. Dall’s porpoises, the fastest whales in these waters, are also frequently spotted. Peak whale watching season starts in late July, but sightings are possible year-round.
Grizzly Bear Watching in the Khutzeymateen Valley
The journey continues into the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, a remote and pristine wilderness with the highest concentration of grizzly bears in North America. More than 50 grizzly bears make their home in this lush valley, protected since 1994 as B.C.’s first designated grizzly bear sanctuary. The valley is only accessible by air and water, making it a truly untouched gem of Canada’s West Coast.
Each spring, grizzly bears in B.C. descend from their dens to feed on the protein-rich sedge that grows along the shoreline. During low tide, they forage for mussels and other marine treats in the intertidal zone. This remarkable ecosystem is also home to the largest remaining stand of Sitka spruce in the world, with some trees reaching up to 100 metres high and over 1,000 years old.
Mid-June marks the peak grizzly bear mating season, an exciting time to witness unique grizzly courtship behaviors. If we’re lucky, we may also spot wolves patrolling the shorelines—though they tend to be more elusive than the bears.
This tour is truly a wildlife photographer’s dream, offering breathtaking encounters with grizzly bears, whales, and marine mammals in one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. It’s also the best kind of eco-tourism—one that allows us to quietly observe and appreciate wildlife without disturbing their natural habitat.
Book Your 2025 Grizzly Bear Tour!
Don’t miss your chance to experience the best grizzly bear tour in Canada and witness iconic B.C. wildlife up close. We’re excited to welcome you aboard for another unforgettable West Coast Grizzly Bear Tour!
