Knight Inlet

Knight Inlet Lodge is a critically acclaimed grizzly bear and wildlife viewing destination in British Columbia, Canada.

A 25-minute scenic floatplane flight from Campbell River takes you to a wild and remote area of the Pacific Northwest known as Knight Inlet. As the longest fjord on this coast, Knight Inlet welcomes guests with a spectacular natural habitat for wildlife set against a backdrop of dramatic snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and lush dense forests.

Knight Inlet Lodge has been featured in National Geographic Magazine, BBC Natural History Unit and Time Magazine and has won a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award. The lodge offers guests the opportunity to relax while taking in the unspoiled wilderness.

Wildlife enthusiasts also can often see elusive wildlife such as seals, otters, sea lions, white-sided dolphins and whales, on the boat and kayak tours. Whilst Cougars, mountain goats, bald eagles, deer and black bears roam freely, it is the mysterious grizzly bears that inhabit this region that most come to see. Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia. It is common for up to 40 bears to be within 10km of the lodge in the peak season (Sep-Nov), when the salmon are running up the Glendale River.

Guest safety is always of utmost importance. The team strive to help guests see the bears in their natural environment without having a negative impact on them.

The Lodge

Situated 60km from the mouth of the fjord is Knight Inlet Lodge. The floating hotel is tucked into Glendale Cove, providing one of the few protected anchorages in the inlet. It is here that each day's adventure will begin.

The 18 guest rooms feature comfortable queen-sized beds with an ensuite. They have a view of either Glendale Cove or the shoreline behind the lodge where bears are often seen. The resort has a “west coast British Columbia” vibe. There are outside deck areas, one with a fireplace, for relaxing in the evenings.

Grizzly bear viewing – When is the best time to go?

Peak season is from September to November, when the salmon are returning to the river. The bears are busy filling their bellies in preparation for hibernation over the winter. In late April, the bears return to the estuary from their winter dens to feed on the spring growth of succulents, grasses and barnacles. This is the best time to see cubs appearing with their ever-cautious mothers.

Viewing is often done by boat at this time as the bears are usually close to the shoreline. In the summer (June to August) the berries in the area are plentiful, meaning the bears stay nearby, but the numbers are not as high. By late August, viewing is done from platforms at the spawning channel, along with the tree and river stands.

Marine life viewing

From March to May in the spring, seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and the occasional minke whales may travel though the waters. From July onwards, both Orca and Humpback whales are nearby in the Johnstone Strait. Summer is the best time for whale watching opportunities and a visit to the boundaries of the Robson Bight Marine Orca Whale Sanctuary is the best chance to view the Orca. This area is frequented by 16 different pods of killer whales and rated as one of the world's best spots to see and photograph these magnificent whales.