Provincial Back Country access fee
 Da'Naxda'xw First Nations reserve access fee
 Glendale Grizzly Management fees for  road maintenance .
 We provide lunch , exposure suits if needed.  You bring cameras, binoculars and your sense of adventure. 
We have a 4 person minimum to run the trip due to the high cost of fuel. The boat trip is 104 miles round trip, and we stop half way back to fuel up and stretch our legs.

We eat lunch after our morning viewing experience, out in the boat 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 3 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.

Smoking in the bear viewing area serves to habituate these bears to humans. Let’s make every effort to mitigate our influence. It's OK to have a quick puff outside on the boat as we run along.

 

 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 on top of the boat can be hot. Gumboots are handy when landing on the beach- we have extra pairs, but most people get away with study walking shoes.

What kind of a boat do we go in?

 On most grizzly bear tours we are using  8m. aluminum water taxis. Both boats have a toilet. 

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 dock that have washroom facilities. 

Do you guarantee sightings?
Nope.

How do your tours compare to other operators in the area? Why do we leave so early in the morning?

Of course, we are the best.... and least expensive.   For the fall viewing season you want to make sure that the outfit that you choose has tenured access to the up-river site. Only Tide Rip Tours, and the 2 Knight Inlet Lodges have this access to the Spawning Channel viewing stands. Choosing any grizzly bear tour supports bear conservation as bear viewing is slowly (rather too slowly) displacing bear hunting. We depart early because we actually want you to see a bear! The worst thing you can do is depart from Campbell River at noon and go on a wildlife tour, when you finally get to the bear viewing area, all the bears are in siestas in the bush.

The day in September we want to come is full, marked red on your calendar. How can we see grizzly bears?

We run a supplementary  trip to the river mouth where the mothers with small cubs will be fishing at the low tide pools. Depending on where the fish are, viewing here can be better than up-river. The viewing requires binoculars, but the interaction between the cubs and other bears is just great. Join us for this trip or get on our stand-by list for the viewing stand trip. 

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 (avoids ferry fares & line-ups) and rent the car there. From Seattle fly Heli-jet to Campbell River or Kenmore Air to Telegraph Cove.

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 100 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.