Toba Inlet is a deep fjord on the west coast of British Columbia. The inlet has spectacular waterfalls, glacier-fed rivers and the magnificent Coastal Mountains that rise as an imposing backdrop. Grizzly Bears have free reign in these isolated and lush river estuaries and can be found foraging along the river and rugged shoreline from late summer feasting on salmon while you enjoy their beauty in their natural habitat.
Did someone say Grizzly Bears…
Savary Island Ferry has partnered with Klahoose Coastal Adventures to bring you a 2.5-hour Grizzly Bear tour in majestic Toba Inlet located in Desolation Sound. Canada is home to an estimated 25,000 grizzly bears, half of which live in British Columbia. Klahoose Coastal Adventures is pleased to offer you the opportunity to visit the Bears of Toba Inlet in their natural habitat, undisturbed, as they nourish themselves in local riverbeds.
Situated in the Northern Pacific Range, our cruise up Desolation Sound at 26 knots to Toba Inlet is made up of various subzones of Coastal Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock and Alpine Tundra. The area includes rocky terrain and sloping shorelines that make way for freshwater streams that flow to meet the Pacific Ocean. While cruising to/from Toba Inlet, we have experienced amazing wildlife such as whales, dolphins, seals, bald eagles and many more.
Grizzly bears are omnivores and their diet is dictated by available food sources which can vary widely from seeds, berries, and roots to elk, deer, and insects. As they prepare for their hyperphagia or hibernation period, they consume enough calories to gain up to three pounds per day!
With 6 viewing towers that provide optimal sightlines to this natural phenomenon, our tours are intentionally small to allow for the most intimate experience with the bears. Listen closely and you will hear their heavy breaths mingle with the rushing water - it is an exhilarating and truly amazing spectacle not to be missed!
What to expect upon arrival to Finn Bay, Lund:
We welcome you to Finn Bay, as our guest! Please follow the signage to the marina where you will be greeted by your skipper 15 min prior to departure. Your covered 12 passenger water taxi is Canadian Coast Guard approved and piloted by a Transport Canada certified captain.
We will load all passengers at once so please await your captain’s directions. Waivers will be provided upon arrival, please let your Captain know if you have any medical conditions so they are prepared. Our fleet of vessels carry AIS, (Vessel Tracking) and InReach Devices in case of any medical emergencies.
There is no cell phone coverage throughout the Desolation Sound and Toba Inlet.
Lunch will be provided. When booking your tour, each guest will select their meal option. The meals will then be loaded onboard for your journey to Toba Inlet.
What to Expect upon arrival to Klahoose Coastal Adventures:
Welcome to Toba Inlet home of the Klahoose First Nation. Our peoples have lived and thrived on these lands, alongside our ancestors, the animals, and waters since time before memory. Our lands hold a special, sacred place to our community and we are pleased to provide this amazing opportunity for you to witness the bears in their natural habitat and environment.
Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by a member of our Nation who will offer you a traditional prayer and welcome. You will find restrooms and an area designed to shield you from the weather. From this spot, your guide will transport you to one of five viewing towers. Situated several feet from ground level, these viewing platforms are designed to provide an optimal vantage point while maintaining a safe distance from the bears. Our tours are kept intentionally small to allow for the most intimate viewing experience.
No food is permitted in the viewing stations. Bears have an extremely keen sense of smell and such odors may prove invasive. Your guide will provide you will several safety tips at the start of our tour - please take a moment to listen carefully. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us - should you have questions or require further information, do not hesitate to ask.
Bears are wild and unpredictable animals and on rare occasions, the bears may be beyond the viewing platforms or cannot be located. If this is the case, we invite you to join us for another trip, free of charge! The second trip can be booked at your convenience. There is no expiry on this offer – that’s our guarantee!
Klahoose Coastal Adventures are members of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia.
Daily Departures: August 20th-October 15th 2020 (7 Days a Week)
Finn Bay Lund Departing Daily 10 am Sharp, Returning between 3:30-4:00 pm.
Savary Island Ferry Dock – 9995 Finn Bay Road, Lund, BC
Footwear for the tours should be close-toed and comfortable. Walking is kept to a minimum, but you will have to manage stairs and or ramps to enter the viewing towers. Dressing in layers will help you adjust to changing conditions. Sunscreen and bug spray should be applied prior to your tour commencing.
Tour times are approximate. Savary Island Ferry reserves the right to cancel or modify any trip due to weather conditions, tide, or any unforeseen circumstances.
Expedition Cancellation Policy:
- A full refund will be given if tours are canceled by Savary Iskand Ferry due to weather conditions, mechanical issues or any other unforeseen circumstances. We will do our best to contact and re-schedule the expedition.
- The full amount will be charged for cancellations that are within 48 hours of the expedition departure.
- A 15% cancelation fee will be charged if the trip is canceled more than 48 hours before departure.
- Savary Island Ferry reserves the right to alter departure time, vessel and the length of the expedition (duration) without any prior notice. Savary Island Ferry reserves the right to cancel the expedition if there are fewer than our minimum requirement. Call anytime if unsure.
Trip Includes:
- 2.5 Hour Bear Excursion
- 3.0 Hour return trip to Toba Inlet
- Fresh Boxed Lunch
- Free onsite Parking, Finn Bay Lund.
$425 per person (Must be 12 and over)
Not Included:
- Transportation to/from your home and Lund or Powell River *Note we may add a complimentary schedule transfer between Lund and the Powell River Airport for guest flying (35 min.) from Vancouver.
- Gratuities for Klahoose First Nation - Guides (recommended $10-15 per trip/per guest)
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