British Columbia is prime bear watching territory. The province is home to the rare white Kermode (Spirit) bear, more than half of Canada’s grizzly bears, and a quarter of Canada’s black bears.
Perch in an elevated viewing platform and witness grizzly bears pouncing on and devouring spawning salmon. Drift silently in a riverboat and listen to a black bear and her cubs munching fresh grass sedges. Or catch a glimpse of an elusive white Kermode bear lumbering along a mossy riverbank.
Bear viewing in BC ranges from spotting a bear next to the highway to luxury wilderness adventure trips. It’s possible to view bears without a guide, but guided bear-watching trips are the best way to ensure a safe, successful experience of viewing bears in their natural habitat.
Learn More About Bear Watching in:
Vancouver Island
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Northern British Columbia
Vancouver Coast & Mountains
Kootenay Rockies
Thompson Okanagan
Vancouver
Whistler
Types of Bear-Watching Tours in BC
Most bear-viewing tours use elevated viewing platforms or boats drifting in the river. Tours typically have very high bear viewing success rates, often ranging from 90-100%.
Boat-based tours are mobile and create a sense of being on a “bear-safari.” They give a unique bear’s eye-level perspective and are often close enough to hear bears tearing and chewing sedge grasses near the water’s edge.
In fall, elevated viewing platforms provide the chance to witness dramatic scenes, such as bear to bear interactions or bears running after salmon in shallow waters. Individual bear personalities often become apparent and the bears decide how far – or close – they lumber past the platforms. Other land-based bear viewing can involve driving along backroads.
Depending on the region and operator, tours range from quick half-day excursions to multi-day adventures. Check with local Visitor Centres for information about bear-watching tours available in the area.
When to go Bear Watching in BC
Bear-watching season is best in spring and fall.
In spring, bears emerge from hibernation and hungrily seek out fresh shoots and sedges along river banks and low-lying areas. Boat tours are common.
In fall, spawning salmon are a feast for bears fattening up before hibernation. Bears (along with eagles and wolves) line the rivers and fish for their meals. Viewing platforms are commonly used.
Types of Bears in BC
Grizzly Bears
BC’s largest bears, weighing up to 500kg/1,100lb. An estimated 16,000 grizzlies live in BC’s vast wilderness. Their reclusive nature means that they generally avoid populated areas and people, making sighting one a special occurrence.
Kermode (Spirit) Bears
A rare subspecies of black bear with white- or cream-coloured fur due to a genetic trait. Princess Royal Island, on the central coast, has the largest concentration of Spirit bears in the world – as many as one in ten black bears may be white. It has an important place in First Nations legends and is BC’s official mammal.
Black Bears
BC’s most common bear. Found across the province, except in the most urban areas. Contrary to their name, they’re not always black. Brown, blonde, cinnamon and even white colour variations are possible.
Bear Safety
For the safety of humans and bears, always follow these strict but simple precautions from BC Parks and the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC:
- Choose a bear-viewing operator that is respectful and protective of the bears and their needs.
- Bears may approach humans for many reasons; most are not threatening reasons. During an uncomfortably close encounter, stay calm, don’t move quickly, never run and listen to the wildlife viewing guide.
- Never feed or approach a bear – even to get that perfect photo. Hungry or angry bears can attack without warning. Do not use flash photography around bears.
- Vehicles should be well off the road when viewing or photographing wildlife.
- Leave the pets at home or on a very tight leash to avoid attracting or angering bears.
- To avoid human food conditioning of bears, food or beverages other than water should not be consumed near habitats that are frequented by bears.
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