An Exclusive Grizzly Bear Viewing Experience
Canada’s Only Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
Nestled within the fjords of northern British Columbia’s coastal mountain range lies Canada’s largest grizzly bear sanctuary. Offering unparalleled bear viewing, this spring itinerary reveals rarely seen bear behaviour and interactions.
Learn MoreRoute & Notable Stops
We keep our itineraries purposefully somewhat flexible allowing our captains to cater to the needs and interests of their group as well as take into account weather, wildlife sightings, and more. Below is a sample of the route you may take on your Khutzeymateen eco-tour.
Embark to Isles & Inlets
Bluewater Adventures offers a 10-day and 7-day itinerary for Khutzeymateen trips – please check your arrivals & departures itinerary. The following sample itinerary is an outline of our 7-day trip.
Meet your Bluewater Adventures crew & vessel late morning at Cow Bay in Prince Rupert. Departing the harbour quickly leads us off the beaten path into the awe-inspiring geography of the north coast of British Columbia with its dense rainforests, winding fjords, and high rugged mountains.
Remote Beaches and Marine Mammals
The myriad of islands in Chatham Sound offer remote beaches to explore and beautiful anchorages in which to kayak, while the waters here offer the chance to search for marine mammals such as sea lions and whales.
The waters surrounding these outer islands are more exposed and we hope for a good wind to allow for the opportunity to raise the sails and enjoy the silence and serenity of nature.
Valley of the Grizzlies
Sailing inland we’ll spend one day bear viewing in Ksi X’anmaas (Kwinimass River) Conservancy and two days bear viewing in Khutzeymateen Inlet (Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary). The Khutzeymateen Valley holds Canada’s first grizzly bear sanctuary and these adjacent inlets are an important home to a dense bear population. In Khutzeymateen Inlet, our trip focuses on bear viewing along the shores of the inlet and into the estuary where only a few operators are permitted. Thanks to this exclusivity, this stunning bear viewing location with its backdrop of snow-capped peaks is a well kept secret.
After anchoring, we’ll proceed by zodiac as we take care to spot foraging bears from the water. May and June are peak season for viewing as bears are attracted to the estuary for its abundance of protein rich sedge grasses – an integral spring food source. Spring is also mating season which means there is the potential to see larger male grizzlies in search of females.
Heading Home
We return through narrow Venn Passage to Prince Rupert. Venn Passage has an incredible collection of petroglyphs (indigenous rock carvings); tides depending, we may have a chance to see some of these ancient carvings and learn of their history from a local Tsimshian Guide.
We return to Prince Rupert around noon. Guests will have time for lunch and a wander through town before catching a mid-afternoon flight back to Vancouver.
To request a full Khutzeymateen itinerary, contact us
heather@bluewateradventures.ca
Unique Bear Behaviour
Get a glimpse into behaviour rarely linked to the grizzly bear experience.
North Coast Adventure
Launching from the northern tip of the Inside Passage, venture into British Columbia’s expansive and less visited northern terrain.
Limited Public Access
Join the select few who are fortunate enough to be allowed access into this sanctuary teeming with wildlife.
Set Sail
Travelling north along relatively open water allows our captains and crew great opportunities to unfurl the sails.
Current Khutzeymateen Offerings
Browse through our current sailings & prices for the Khutzeymateen below. All prices are listed in CAD and are subject to a $200 sustainability fee and 5% GST tax.
Book Now| Date | Start / Finish Location | Days | Vessel | Price | Trip Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19 – 28, 2025 | Bella Bella / Prince Rupert | 10 | Island Roamer | $8,175 CAD | Call for Availability |
| May 29 – Jun 4, 2025 | Prince Rupert | 7 | Island Roamer | $6,285 CAD | Booked |
| Jun 5 – 11, 2025 | Prince Rupert | 7 | Island Roamer | $6,285 CAD | Open |
| Aug 19 – 26, 2025 | Prince Rupert / Terrace | 8 | Island Odyssey | $7,180 CAD | Open |
| May 16 – 26, 2026 | Bella Bella / Prince Rupert | 10 | Island Roamer | $8,400 CAD | Call for Availability |
| May 27 – Jun 2, 2026 | Prince Rupert | 7 | Island Roamer | $6,490 CAD | Call for Availability |
| Jun 3 – 9, 2026 | Prince Rupert | 7 | Island Roamer | $6,490 CAD | Open |
| Aug 20 – 28, 2026 | Prince Rupert / Terrace | 9 | Island Odyssey | $8,625 CAD | Call for Availability |
Prepare for Your Adventure
Feel educated and equipped for traveling to and living aboard our vessels. Learn more about guest expectations, amenities onboard, and what to bring along to make the most out of your once in a lifetime eco-tour.
Get ReadyYour Nautical Accommodations
An Aquatic Home Away from Home
With 6 guest cabins, each with a power outlet and porthole window; a cozy yet spacious library and dining area; and ample on deck seating options, Island Roamer is the favourite veteran of the Bluewater Adventures fleet for a reason. To learn more about this vessel, visit the Island Roamer page.
Island Roamer
Khutzeymateen FAQs
Find more in depth information specifically on our Khutzeymateen itinerary here. Should you have more questions surrounding your Bluewater Adventures experience at large, please visit our general FAQ page to learn more.
Explore All FAQsWe often see some beautiful spring weather in May/June. That being said, weather in the coastal rainforest of British Columbia can be variable. We strongly suggest bringing waterproof outerwear and wool layers to stay warm in the event of a wet bear viewing day.
Bear viewing in Khutzeymateen Inlet is zodiac-based due to Parks restrictions. We will have opportunities to explore ashore in the outer islands of Chatham Sound. Guests will need to be able to get in and out of the zodiac – both unloading and loading from the boat and unloading/loading from shore.This requires some mobility to swing legs in and out of the zodiac and onto the shore. Crew are always there to support with this.
Most of the waters we travel are well protected – especially within fjordic Khutzeymateen Inlet – though there is a possibility of some rolling seas in Chatham Sound. Our sailing vessels are well-equipped to stabilize to these conditions should they occur.
There is a good chance of unfurling the sails as we explore Chatham Sound and the outer islands. We are always at the mercy of what weather we are given, but we have a high chance of making way under sail on this tour.
We experience pebbly and sandy beaches, dirt paths, and unmaintained forest trails on this trip. If guests feel unsteady on the rocky beaches, we recommend hiking poles, and our crew are always there to lend a hand. The paths and shore excursions we take rarely gain or lose a significant amount of elevation and crew always take into consideration the abilities of the group before determining what activities they will facilitate.
There will be opportunities to kayak during our days exploring the outer islands of Chatham Sound. Evenings, after we anchor, or mornings before we set off will be the best times to enjoy the calm waters and solitude of the fantastic landscapes.
Bear viewing in Khutzeymateen Inlet is boat based, meaning that we will be in the zodiac while looking for bears. In the spring, grizzlies gather in the estuaries, the tidal mouth of a large river, to feed on protein-rich sedge grasses which are a crucial food source at this time of year.
Start Your Khutzeymateen Education Now
Browse through our collection of blog posts reflecting information, thoughts on, and experiences in the Khutzeymateen written by our seaworthy and knowledgeable staff & crew.
