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Port Hardy |
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There is
an excellent lodge based Grizzly Bear program in another
remote coastal inlet to the north of Knight Inlet. Whereas
viewing sessions in Knight Inlet are limited to 2 hours, at
this location accessible by boat or floatplane from Port
Hardy, guests can participate in two viewing sessions per day
(one session on arrival and departure days), each 3-4 hours in
length. While sightings don’t tend to come as thick and fast
as they do at Knight Inlet, with as much as 8 hours viewing
time each day you still see more than your fair share of
bears, and with less time pressures you can take more time to
enjoy your surroundings, and learn about bear biology and
behaviour from the biologist guide. All bear viewing is
conducted from a series of concealed hides overlooking a
salmon spawning river, or between hides from a vehicle (mobile
hide) on a stretch of restored logging road that runs
alongside the river (it isn’t uncommon to meet a grizzly on
the road). |
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The ecotourism lodge is the ideal base for photography and
wildlife viewing tours, nestled at the mouth of a pristine
salmon river. With a maximum of ten guests, you are assured of
a personalised wilderness adventure in this very special
location.
Between morning and afternoon viewing sessions guests can
participate in optional activities including guided nature
walks and sea kayak excursions, or just relax back at the
lodge. The standard of accommodation at the floating lodge is
quite high, and the meals are of an equally high standard.
Return transportation from Port Hardy to the lodge is by boat
in one direction, and by floatplane the other. This provides
additional whale watching opportunities with Gray or Humpback
Whales the most likely sightings, as well as the chance to see
this spectacular landscape from the air.
This part of lower mainland British Colombia is home to a
significant concentration of coastal grizzly bears. During the
late summer and early fall bears are drawn to the many salmon
spawning streams feeding into the coastal inlets. While the
local bear population reaches its peak in the fall, during the
spring and summer numerous bears feed on sedges, succulents
and grasses that make up the dense bio-mass of the river
estuary. These ongoing sources of high quality food are why
coastal grizzlies or brown bears are larger than inland
grizzlies. |
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