Explore the Great Bear Rainforest

Your Journey is Part of the Story

However you get here — by winding mountain highway, coastal ferry, or small plane tracing the inlets — the journey into the Bella Coola Valley is part of the adventure. Nestled within the vast Great Bear Rainforest, this remarkable destination unfolds in dramatic fashion, where glaciers spill toward ancient rainforest and the Pacific Ocean stretches beyond. Every mile feels like a passage deeper into one of British Columbia’s most pristine landscapes — and into the heart of the largest coastal temperate rainforest on Earth.

The Great Bear Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the largest intact tracts of coastal temperate rainforest left in the world at 6.4 million hectares, and the wild, rugged beauty of British Columbia’s central coast draws all types of people in pursuit of adventure, exploration, inspiration and the freshest of seafood. Whether you come to fish, hike, bike, ocean kayak, take a wildlife eco-tour, soak in the hot springs or just enjoy the natural splendour, you will be treated to wonders that are found in few places on earth. The mist-draped coastline of the Pacific is lined with towering, snow-crowned peaks, massive ice fields and some of the world’s longest fjords. Old-growth stands of cedar and spruce cover the land, and rich, salmon-filled streams weave through the valley basins, providing food for the magnificent creatures that inhabit the Coast – killer whales, eagles, marine wolves and bears, including the mysterious white Spirit Bear, or Kermode. Book your bear viewing with a certified Commercial Bear Viewing Association operator to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat or embark on a guided fishing excursion through one of the many pristine lodges that dot the coast.

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Things to Do

Explore the Great Bear Rainforest by fishing, hiking, biking, ocean kayaking, wildlife eco-tours, or soaking in hot springs. From misty Pacific coastlines with snow-capped peaks and fjords to old-growth cedar and spruce forests, the region hosts grizzly bears, the rare white Spirit Bear, killer whales, eagles, and abundant salmon. Adventure awaits in Bella Coola Valley, accessible by air, road, or ferry, with cultural tours, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park offers hiking, camping, horseback riding, canoeing, and winter recreation amid shield volcanoes, Hunlen Falls, and prime bear habitat. Guided tours let you see bears and whales up close, anglers can catch giant salmon, halibut, and lingcod, and visitors can explore Nuxalk and Heiltsuk cultural experiences.

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Getting to the Bella Coola Valley

Visit an incredible destination where glaciers, rainforest, and ocean meet, bordered by BC’s largest provincial park and the mighty Pacific Ocean. This is a place of peace and preservation, the traditional territory of the Nuxalk (nu-hawk) people. Although relatively remote, this area is easily accessible. Depart from Port Hardy via BC Ferries for a scenic, 10-hour journey along the picturesque coast from spring through fall. Arrive via air with Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver International Airport and pick up a rental vehicle from Bella Coola vehicle rentals, or embark on an incredible road trip via Chilcotin Highway 20. Once you’ve landed, your chosen adventure awaits, from wildlife viewing, to cultural tours, hikes, and moments spent absorbing majestic scenery.

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