If you are staying in Telegraph Cove Resorts cabins, we leave at 7am before the Killer Whale Cafe opens(10am), so bring your breakfast fixings from down island or Port McNeill to cook in your room. We provide coffee, tea, muffins & yogurt in the morning on the boat. Lunch is a sandwich spread where we have sliced up the tomatoes and you make your sandwich.

We eat lunch after our morning viewing experience, out on the float away from the bears. Eating in the bear viewing area is not bear friendly. We cannot have these bears associating the smell of people with the smell of human food. There are 6 fish farms, several logging camps and wilderness fishing lodges, family and summer homes within the home range of these grizzlies. People working and living in the area will have to deal with human food conditioned bears. Food conditioned bears are often shot because they  aggressively seek out human food or garbage.
Glendale Cove lunch setting.

Do you guarantee sightings?

No. This is a wildlife tour, not a trip to the zoo. We would like to be able to book an appointment with the bears, but they sometimes do not show up.   In 2010 we  missed on 6 tours. In 2011 we have missed 10 times so far. Naturally our guests on these tours were very disappointed. Our guides make their best effort to show you what shows up. But if you have travelled a long ways to see bears, please book multiple days with us, with a day in between to see whales, or go out with other operators as well in Smiths Inlet (Great Bear Nature Tours) or Bute Inlet to assure yourself of seeing a bear. If you do not see a bear on your trip, we will issue you a "rain check" for a future trip with us. Valid for a lifetime, non-transferable, no cash value.

 For the water taxi trip dress warmly in layers, the boat has a heater but it can be cold in the viewing skiff watching the bears. Please avoid using perfumes or after shave lotions. Hats are good, sitting quietly in the open viewing boat can be hot. Please bring your own water bottle.

What kind of a boat do we go in?

 To run the 2 hours to the grizzly bear hot spot we are using our 12 passenger aluminum water taxis, safe and intimate. Both boats have a toilet. Sit inside in comfort, or outside in the back deck fresh air!

In busy times in August we borrow an extra water taxi that has a porta-potty, so we stop along the way at marine fuel docks that have washroom facilities. 

Do we go to viewing stands?

No. We no longer go to viewing stands. If you want a viewing stand tour, please contact Knight Inlet Lodge,  Sailcone Wilderness in Knight Inlet or for Bute Inlet try Campbell River Whale Watching, Discovery Marine Safaris or Aboriginal Journeys' who all operate out of Campbell River.

What kind of a boat do we view the bears from?

Our large flat bottom viewing skiffs are former herring fishing boats modified for wildlife viewing in shallow estuaries.

Why do we leave so early in the morning?

 We depart early because we actually want you to see a bear! Bears are hungry in the morning and come out of the bush where we can see them.

How can we get to Telegraph Cove?

Flights: If you are flying into Vancouver and renting a car, you're actually better to fly on to Campbell River or Port Hardy (avoids ferry fares & line-ups) and rent the car there. From Seattle fly Heli-jet to Campbell River or Kenmore Air to Telegraph Cove. From Victoria, fly to Vancouver then Pacific Coastal Airlines flies to Port Hardy.

Car: Victoria 5 1/2 hours                Many people have said to us that the drive up on
        Nanaimo 4 hours               the inland island highway, the Sayward forest and 
        Courtenay 3 hours             the Nimpkish Valley was a highlight of their trip, 
Campbell River 2 hours      good roads with little traffic, beautiful 
                                                vistas of forests and snowcapped mountains.

 Another question?... Please call toll free 1-877-636-9572 in North America
or outside North America 1-250-339-5320.

We Make Our Best Effort to Follow this
  Code of Practice:

A)  Operators and the Environment:

1. Strengthen the conservation effort for and enhance the natural integrity of
   places visited.

2. We contribute financially or in kind, to local environmental protection associations
   and appropriate researcher projects.

3. We abide by the 50 meter rule for viewing  and regulations as established for the
    protection of grizzly bears and their  habitat.

4. We avoid disturbing or encouraging the disturbance of wildlife or wildlife habitats.

5. We are aware of our footprint: we keep vehicles, hiking, boats, aircraft
   to designated roads,  trails, flight paths, schedules.

6. We are efficient in the use of natural resources (water, fuels, foods). 

7. We ensure waste disposal has minimal environmental and aesthetic impact.

8. We recycle beverage containers and use washable cups and lunch plates.

9. We commit to the principle of Best Practices but not at the expense of the 
   environment.

10. We support other companies that have and practice a conservation/recycling ethic.

B)  Operators Advocacy and Support:

1. We keep abreast of current political and environmental issues, particularly in the
   local area. 

2. We network with other stakeholders; particularly in the local area, to keep each other
    informed of developments and encourage the use of this Ecotour Operators
   Code of Practice.

C)  Staff and Client Relations:

14.        We support advanced education/training for guides, heritage interpreters, other
staff and managers.

15.        We employ adventure guides and heritage interpreters who are well versed with and
respectful of  local cultures and environments.

16.        We provide clients with the appropriate verbal and written education and guidance 

         to enhance their appreciation and respect for the natural and cultural history
of the areas visited.

17.        We maximize the quality of experience for hosts and guests.

18.        We ensure truth in advertising, press releases, discussions and interpretations.

D)  Community Responsibilities:

19.        Respect the sensitivities, values, traditions, practices and protocols of other cultures.

20.        Comply with national, provincial and association safety standards.

21.        Buy and use locally produced goods, foods, equipment that benefits the local 

         community, but do not buy goods made from threatened or endangered species.

22.       Follow the ideal of the Precautionary Principle:  When in doubt - Don’t!

What is the difference between a black bear and a grizzly bear?
A fun site to answer this question is at: http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/bearid/ and it has some great photos too.