Khutzeymateen: Valley of the Grizzly Bears
May 28 - June 4 2025 & 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. We will travel with Bluewater Adventures, one of only three operators permitted in the sanctuary, we’ll navigate the inlet’s shores by zodiac for incredible bear viewing. This protected area, spanning 44,300 hectares, is 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 Itinerary
Day 1: Our adventure begins! Upon arrival in Prince Rupert, our group will meet at our hotel, where we’ll kick off with a Welcome Dinner to meet our group and go over all the exciting details of our upcoming voyage.
Days 2-3: This morning we set sail on the Island Roamer. As we head north, we’ll have opportunities to capture the breathtaking scenery and practice our photography skills, focusing on capturing sea lions, orcas, and humpback whales. We will also be searching the coastline for our first bears and elusive sea wolves.
Days 4-6: We arrive at the Khutzeymateen Inlet! We explore the inlet via zodiacs, shrouded by forests and lined with protein-rich sedge grass, you’ll have multiple opportunities to photograph grizzlies, with guidance on framing and capturing the perfect shot.
Day 7: From the fjord-like Portland Canal, we return to the outer islands. We’ll photograph the remote Green Island’s historic lighthouse. If the weather allows, we’ll venture ashore to capture the unique scenery of this remote island.
Day 8: As we make our way back through the narrow Venn Passage, as we visit the famous petroglyph “Man who fell from heaven.” A local Tsimshian guide will join us to share the stories behind these ancient carvings and learn of their history. We’ll tie up in Prince Rupert by midday, concluding our photographic expedition.
Trip details
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Total Cost is $8795CAD (+tax) per person. Due to permit limitations, we allow a maximum of 9 Guests with 2 photography guides.
A non-refundable deposit of $2000 is due upon booking. Remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure. 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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The Island Roamer is a 70-foot, Canadian-licensed passenger vessel designed for comfort and exploration. She offers six double-occupancy cabins and three shared bathrooms with showers. Inside, the spacious salon features a well-stocked natural history library, while the wheelhouse provides a sheltered space to enjoy the views in any weather. We also have two large zodiacs for frequent and easy shore access. During our time in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, special permits allow us to use only a single zodiac; on these excursions, all guests and two photo guides will travel together in one zodiac for an intimate experience.
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 in a double room. Final cabin assignments are made by the crew upon your arrival on board.
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Prices include: Accommodations, photography guides and boat crew. All meals from dinner on Day 1 through to breakfast on the final day. Applicable permits, Park user fees, and First Nations protocol fees; and full use of all facilities aboard the vessel.
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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, 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.
