Silvertip EcoTours operates grizzly bear / wildlife viewing during three different seasons of the year - spring, late summer and fall. These seasons provide a look into different aspects of grizzly bear seasonal life cycles.

In May and early June Grizzly bears forage on estuarine sedges and slide / talus areas. At the end of June the mating season provides some unique bear behaviours. In the late summer the rivers are overflowing with spawning salmon and the bears feast on this abundant food supply. Our fall trips take place in brilliant mountain colors and feature grizzly bears preparing for hibernation.

On a spring Grizzly tour you will pass through a rich diversity of habitats ranging from vertical walled fiords to ancient coastal temperate rainforests. Along the way killer whales, harbour seals and majestic eagles are often seen. You can expect to see cubs and mothers playing, mothers teaching their young and large males grazing with an unforgetable appetite. Your day will be amazing as theses bears forage within meters of you while you are in the safety of a Jet boat. We recommend your stay or tour be at least three days to be able to fully understand the life cycle of grizzly bears and plants. Both day trips and overnight adventures are offered during the spring season.

During late summer ( August - Sept ) hundreds of thousands of pacific salmon arrive on their spawning grounds to lay their eggs. Grizzly bears take full advantage of this incredible food supply, feasting endlessly on this rich source of protein. Other wildlife on these tours, which are frequently seen, include timber wolves, black bears, otters, eagles, porcupine and moose. These tours vary in length, from day trips to fully equipped overnight and multi day excursions.

Fall Grizzly bear tours begin with an understanding of the hibernating process, while the salmon have finished their cycle and the bears begin the wintering food process, changing from the last bits of salmon to roots and berrys. The fall offers amazing colours, with the brilliant reds and oranges on the hillsides contrasting with the fresh snow on the mountain peaks. This time is for those who are a little more hearty and want to observe grizzlies in several different habits.

Basic day trips start early in the morning and depending on the season, transportation is via float plane, jet boat or motor vehicle. All amenities such as food, drink, safety equipment and sleeping bags are provided with the exclusion of personal gear (rain gear, boots warm clothing). We also recommend people bring binoculars and a camera with plenty of film for photo opportunities.

To maximize the educational opportunities of your trip and minimize the potential for damage to sensitive ecological areas bear viewing trips are limited to a maximum of 4 persons.

Our guides have over 30 years of grizzly bear experience which, in addition to conducting tours, includes helping the government establish bear viewing guidelines and mapping North Coast grizzly bear populations. Silvertip EcoTours was the first licensed grizzly bear tour operator in the province of British Columbia. We are the only grizzly bear tour operator in the areas you will be visiting. These areas have the highest concentration of grizzly bears per square kilometer in the province.

Silvertip EcoTours offers accommodations, which range from rustic cabins to an all inclusive lakeside lodge depending on your needs.