Khutzeymateen: Valley of the Grizzly Bears
May 19-26 2026
This 8-day voyage takes you to the northernmost reaches of the Great Bear Rainforest: the Khutzeymateen Valley, home to Canada’s first grizzly bear sanctuary. Explore one of the most remote and pristine habitats for grizzlies, alongside opportunities to spot humpback whales, orcas, and other wildlife. This exceptional journey is made possible by one of only three permits granting access to the Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary—an experience few will ever have. We’ll navigate the inlet’s shores by zodiac for incredible bear viewing in this protected area, located in the traditional territories of the Gits’iis and Metlakatla Nations.
Ship Based Journey
Over our 8-day itinerary, our sailboat becomes our moving basecamp—anchoring in secluded locations each evening. This style of travel allows us to fully immerse in the rhythm of the wild coast, waking up each morning surrounded by misty fjords, ancient forest, and tide-swept inlets. With an itinerary shaped by tides, weather, and wildlife movement, we’re able to venture into estuaries, quiet bays, and explore rainforest trails few others reach.
Intimate Wildlife Encounters
The Khutzeymateen is home to one of the highest concentrations of coastal grizzly bears in Canada, and we’re among a select few permitted to access the protected sanctuary at the heart of this remote inlet. Here, we’ll quietly observe bears as they roam the estuary and interact naturally in their environment. Our small group approach and low-impact presence means more meaningful encounters. In addition to grizzlies, we may spot coastal wolves, black bears, whales, sea otters, and eagles.
Custom Workshops
Our custom workshops are designed specifically around your skill level and passions. Whether it’s understanding your camera settings, mastering composition, or perfecting post-processing, you’ll elevate your photography in a personalized, hands-on environment crafted to help you grow. We focus on your creative goals—whether you’re hoping to tell a compelling story, capture wildlife behaviour, or simply return home with images you're proud of.
Trip details
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Total Cost is $6990CAD + 200$ sustainability fee (+tax) per person. Due to permit limitations, we allow a maximum of 9 Guests with 2 photography guides.
A non-refundable deposit of $2500CAD (+tax) is due upon booking.
The remaining balance ($4,690 CAD + tax) is due 90 days before your departure date.
This expedition brings you to one of the most remote places on the planet, which leads to inherent costs. See What’s Included below.Given the nature of our seasonal business and the relatively small window of operation, cancellations within 90 days of departure are non refundable unless the dates in question are able to be filled. We will make every attempt to try and fill your spot in order to issue a full refund (minus a 10% transaction fee), but if unable we reserve the right to keep payment. Travel insurance is required.
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Island Roamer will be our home away from home while exploring BC’s North Coast and the Khutzeymateen. She is a 68’ Ketch designed specifically for our style of travel—large enough for comfort and privacy, yet small enough to foster camaraderie among the 7–9 guests plus crew. The vessel features double-occupancy guest cabins, a spacious salon with an excellent natural history library, and a protected wheelhouse for viewing in any weather. All cabins have regular North American 110/120V outlets with power while the generator is on (typically during meal prep times). There are also outlets in the salon powered by an inverter system, available at all times. Please let us know in advance if you require overnight power for a plug-in CPAP machine. Due to the nature of the vessel and changing coastal weather, cabin temperatures can fluctuate. We recommend dressing in light layers and bringing sleepwear suitable for a range of conditions.
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Night one will be spent at the Crest Hotel in Prince Rupert. This will be shared accommodations (in a double room with two beds).
Cabins on the Island Roamer are compact and functional, as is life on a small vessel. Four cabins feature two single bunks arranged in a crosswise layout, where one bed is higher and one lower, with foot space overlapping. Two smaller cabins have single beds. Luggage storage space is available in each rooms. The boat has three shared bathrooms with warm showers.
Note: When booking, you can request your preferred cabin type—either a single berth or, if traveling with a partner, a double berth cabin. We will do our best to accommodate your request, though you may be paired with another guest (of sam gender) in a double room. Final cabin assignments are made by the crew upon your arrival on board.
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Life aboard the Island Roamer comes with hearty, home-style meals prepared daily by our onboard chef. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all catered, with dishes ranging from fresh seafood and tender chicken to warming pastas, soups, and salads. Meals are simple but flavourful, always designed to hit the spot after a day on the water and in the fresh air. Vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can all be accommodated with advance notice, ensuring everyone is well-fed and ready for the adventure ahead.
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Accommodations: One night at the charming Crest hotel in Prince Rupert. Full board on the vessel during your expedition.
Food: We’re delighted to have a private chef onboard who will ensure you’re well fed throughout the journey, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. We also cover the welcome dinner in Prince Rupert, our meeting point before departure. Dietaries can be accommodated.
Activities: Full days of wildlife viewing from the vessel and from zodiacs. Kayaks are also available for guests to use at their leisure.
Photography: Hands-on photography workshops and field sessions, led by guides with deep naturalist knowledge and years of on-the-ground experience in the region.
Permits: Applicable permits, park user fees, and First Nations protocol fees. -
Transportation to/from Prince Rupert, travel or cancellation insurance (required, see below for more information), accommodation and meals prior to welcome dinner on day one, alcohol at restaurants, or if you would like to extend your stay in the area. Guide and crew gratuities.
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Prince Rupert is located on the north coast of British Columbia, about 750 kilometers (465 miles) north of Vancouver, BC. Air Canada offers direct flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Prince Rupert Airport (YPR), located on Denby Island, from there you will take an organized shuttle and ferry to arrive in Prince Rupert.
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Prior to departure, passengers must have in place, comprehensive insurance coverage including medical and emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, and baggage insurance - this is at your expense; we will require proof of insurance. Any losses experienced because of incorrect travel planning or not securing adequate insurance will also be the full responsibility of the passenger.
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This is a soft adventure trip aboard a motor-sailor yacht, requiring guests to live in close quarters and follow crew safety directions. Activities include zodiac-based wildlife viewing in the Khutzeymateen Sanctuary and short shore excursions over varied terrain, where proper footwear is essential. While travel is mostly in calm waters, occasional rolling seas may occur, and guests must be comfortable getting in and out of zodiacs, with assistance provided as needed. If you have any concerns about your full participation in the trip, please discuss your situation with us.
Our 8-day sailboat expedition begins and ends in Prince Rupert, carrying us north along a remote stretch of British Columbia’s coastline into the heart of the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary—Canada’s first protected area dedicated specifically to grizzly bears. Established to safeguard one of the most significant coastal bear populations in the province, this vast wilderness offers exceptional opportunities to observe and photograph grizzlies as they graze on sedge meadows along the tidal flats.
Beyond the Khutzeymateen, we explore the outer northern islands, a rarely visited maze of rugged shorelines and exposed headlands. Here, we’ll step ashore to wander wild beaches, photograph wind-sculpted landscapes, and search for birds nesting among rocky outcrops. The ever-changing light, dramatic coastlines, and sense of true remoteness make this region a photographer’s dream. Traveling by sailboat gives us the flexibility to slow down, follow wildlife movements, and fully immerse ourselves in one of British Columbia’s most spectacular and untamed marine environments.
Where We’ll Go
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Prince Rupert! Our adventure begins with a group meet-up at our hotel in Prince Rupert. We'll kick off the journey with a Welcome Dinner, where we’ll share a few details of the exciting voyage ahead and get to know our fellow travellers.
Days 2-3: We board the Island Roamer and set off into the intricate waterways of Chatham Sound and beyond. As we weave through island-dotted channels, we’ll keep our cameras ready for seabirds, eagles, humpback whales, sea lions, and perhaps even a glimpse of the elusive coastal sea wolves. Your photography guides will offer tips on capturing motion, light, and storytelling while shooting. If conditions allow, we may explore a remote island on foot—taking in the smaller details of the coast: wildflowers, towering Sitka spruce, curious fungi, and intertidal life. We'll anchor in sheltered coves each night, the sounds of nature echoing off the rainforest-covered slopes.
Days 4-6: We arrive at the Khutzeymateen Inlet, anchoring the Island Roamer at the mouth of the estuary. Known for its lush sedge meadows, ancient forests, and mirror-like estuary waters, this remote region offers intimate and respectful bear viewing opportunities from zodiac boats. Over these days, we’ll have multiple chances to observe and photograph grizzlies grazing, digging for clams, or even interacting with one another. With your guides’ insight into animal behaviour and light conditions, you’ll refine your skills in anticipation, composition, and the art of capturing quiet moments in the wild. We begin our return journey on day 6, but the adventure is far from over.
Day 7: As we continue our journey of the outer islands, we’ll continue scanning the horizon for humpback whales and orcas, with cameras ready for any unexpected encounters. We’ll photography Green Island, home to a remote lighthouse still maintained by resident lightkeepers—a rare glimpse into life on the edge of the Pacific. If conditions allow, we’ll land on a nearby beach to explore tidepools, windswept trees, and rugged shorelines—capturing the textures and wild beauty that define this part of the coast.
Day 8: Our final morning includes a visit to a culturally significant Tsimshian site, home to the petroglyph known as "The Man Who Fell from Heaven." A local guide will join us to share traditional stories and cultural knowledge, deepening our connection to this place. We will return to Prince Rupert via the narrow Venn Passage by late morning.
Itinerary may vary slightly depending on external factors, but inclusions are the same.
Ready to explore the Khutzeymateen?
Still have some questions we can answer for you?
“My first photography tour was with wildsight expeditions, traveling by sailboat to Khutzeymateen. Lianne and Sabina are wonderful naturalists and photography guides, challenging us to try new techniques, see different perspectives, understand behaviours of our subjects, and encouraging us in our photography. The total experience was amazing and would love nothing more than to join them on another adventure!
— Roxane P (Khutzeymateen 2026)What Our Guests Are Saying
“Bears have become my “spirit” animal as a result of our trip to the Khutzeymateen with Lianne and Sabina in 2025. Their well planned trip maximized daylight with tides, and eduction with access. I’m looking forward to other trip opportunities with them.”
— Nadine H (Khutzeymateen 2026)“The Khutzeymateen experience was one of the best experiences of my life. The guides were tremendous and their knowledge and insights enriched the excurion. I can highly recommend it to all photographers that want to experience nature (particularly bears) in an unmatched manner”
— Dan H (Khutzeymateen 2026)