Tracking Spirit Bears Tour, Princess Royal Island, Canada is a beautiful and definitely an unforgettable experience. As you get closer to Princess Royal Island, you will see a verdant rainforest rising from the waters. Located just off the west coast of Canada, this is one of the exclusive places where you can meet spirit bears. Deep in the green moss, bears with a distinctive champange-colored fur climb the trees and travel the grounds. These beautiful animals will keep you company as you step into the quiet and splendid woods.
Arrange the best tour
Princess Royal Island is located 500 km northwest of Vancouver. The island is Kitasoo-Xaixais territory, therefore is prohibited to visit it on your own without permission. Klemtu Tourism, owned by First-Nation people, offers a guided tour with great information about the place so you can explore and educate yourself.
Klemtu Tourism will surely make you feel warm and comfortable with their Norwegian float house. Ruled by the community since 1996, it is the only tour company that is authorized to track spirit bears.
Things to Do
The Great Bear Rainforest
Princess Royal is an endearing lonely island. In fact, it is part of the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest rainforest on Earth that remains untouched and totally protected. The island truly is an enchanted land, where fantastic animals hide from the human sight, and the lush vegetation lights up your surroundings.
The rainforest at Princess Royal island is so extent that even an experienced guide might get lost and your only aid will probably be a bear. I know it sounds crazy but it’s not what you think! The sightings of these bears help the guides when they lose the track. And as long as you don’t get too close to them, then both parties will be alright.
The people at Princess Royal Island
Above all, there’s no better guide than the Kitasoo and Xaixais natives. Of course they know every inch of the place, and their strong connection with the spiritual bears (also called Kermode bear) will help you find them quickly. Their beliefs and myths about the white color of these bears are truly lovely. Take a minute of your time and listen as they narrate how the gods painted the bears to remind them of the chaotic Ice Age.
Meet the Spirit Bears
Spirit bears are not your regular bears. Their pale yellow fur is a result of a biological recessive gene, adding to their uniqueness. Besides, they have spiritual importance for the Kitasoo-Xaixais people.
Sadly, spirit bears are currently endangered. In fact, it is said that, in the Great Bear Rainforest, only 400 black, grizzly and spirit bears exist. However, bear huntings are still happening and affecting their lives in an alarming rise.
As a result, and for the protection of the bears, the locations of tracking trips are never revealed. And they aren’t meant to be revealed. But it’s totally worth even being 20 meters away from one. You will feel your heartbeat increase in excitement when you see the bears catching salmon from the water.
Adrenaline and Patience
It’s almost like an Indiana Jones movie when you search for a bear. In this adventure, you might find tracks warning you that maybe you’re a bit too close to one of these white animals. However, you’re gonna need lots of patience. Remember that it’s not always gonna be a good day to find a bear.
Princess Royal wildlife
As you make your way through the dark waters to Princess Royal Island, keep your eyes open. Eventually, some whales and seals might show themselves if you’re lucky enough. Also, there’s always the posibility of spotting a bear standing on a big rock, living freely in the wild. The elegant animal, calm as a night, serene and gorgeous, explores the surroundings with its nose. The spirit bear is a one of a kind animal, you will definitely get hypnotized by their beauty.
Seeing this creature from a few meters away, being unaware of your presence, is certainly the best way to spot them. The encounter is peaceful and enjoyable, as they might explore the place for food or get near a river to catch salmon. Sniffing quietly and walking freely. Almost too good to be true.
How to get there
Swindle Island’s neighbor, Klemtu, is the right place to take off to Princess Royal Island. Klemtu is a tiny place with an ethnic longhouse. It was built recently and is decorated with First Nation art and totems, being an appreciated household for the Kitasoo-xaixais faction.
There are two ways to reach Klemtu ground. First, you can get there via ferry from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island (BC Ferries is a great option). On the other hand, you can take a seaplane from Bella Bella on Campbell Island (Pacific Coastal Airlines provides good services).
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