Knight Inlet Lodge, Great Bear Rainforest

The lodge is a modern one story unit consisting of five floats, arranged as a compact floating village. All 18 guest rooms feature queen size beds with private bathrooms offering showers. Four of the rooms also benefit from the addition of twin beds, so accommodating up to four people, making them ideal for families. The guest rooms all have a view of either Glendale Cove or the shoreline behind the lodge. The resort is finished with western cedar board and batten siding to give it a real west coast British Columbia look and feel. There are two outside deck areas, one complete with gas fireplace, for relaxing on those warm summer evenings.

Bear Viewing – Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon for there to be up to 40 bears within 10 kilometres of the lodge in the peak fall season, when the salmon are returning to the river. Although they are abundant in the fall, it is not the only season that grizzly bears can be found in Glendale Cove. Starting in late April the bears return to the estuary from winter dens and start the year feeding on the sedges, succulents, grasses and barnacles that abound in our estuary. This luxuriant spring growth provides the basic nutritional needs for the bears which draws them from the mountains down to the estuary. This is the time to see, at close proximity, the tiny cubs emerge with their ever-cautious mothers. In the summer the berry crop is very heavy and this helps keep the bears in the general area. In the spring, you set out in boats so that you can get close to the shore (50 metres) and enjoy a good view of the bears feeding, whilst remaining far enough away as to not disturb them. In early summer you’ll head out onto the water as well, but if the opportunity arises there may be a chance to also use the tree stands. By late August viewing moves to the platforms at the spawning channel as well as using the tree and river stands. Whatever time you visit, Knight Inlet strive to see the bears in their natural environment without having a negative impact on them.

Marine Tours – The marine wildlife tour is offered in all the seasons that the lodge is open, but it varies as the seasons change. In the spring, you travel throughout the inlet viewing the seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and the occasional minke whale that may travel though the waters. From July onwards, tours have the added attraction of the orca (killer) and humpback whales and when you journey to the world-famous Johnstone Strait, you are almost assured of spending some great viewing time with these magnificent marine mammals.

Day hiking tours & guided kayaking tours – These are also available in the estuary. The kayaking tours are great for the novice as they have doubles and singles and excellent guides to take you through the brief lesson and then get you on the water. Walking and kayaking tours are a great way to see the wildlife and offer superb photographic opportunities.