Spirit Bears Photo Tour
Photograph the rare white spirit bear
- Best location to see and photograph spirit bears
- Black bear sightings each day
- Learn about Gitga’at culture
- Pristine wilderness, hearty food, comfortable accommodations
- All meals, accommodation, and transport from Prince Rupert
- 4 nights, three full days and two half days of photography
Journey with us into the heart of the Great Bear rainforest, in the traditional territory of the Gitga’at First Nation, to watch and photograph one of the rarest bears in the world. Spirit bears, or Kermode bears, are a sub-species of black bears that possess a double recessive gene that gives them their white fur. It’s estimated that there are fewer than 400 of these bears left in the wild.
Imagine the most beautiful moss covered landscape, ancient cedar trees, and amidst this spectacular scenery, a shining white bear emerges from the dark forest. Seeing a spirit bear in the wild is a profound experience. Words cannot do justice to describe this experience of these magical bears fishing for salmon right in front of you. It’s unlike any other bear experience on the planet. Join us in the very best location and the best time of year to see spirit bears and create photographs that you will cherish forever!
Tour Highlights: Land-based spirit bear photography
Dates:
* Sept 14-18, 2023 (full)
* Sept 2024 (coming soon!)
Tour Leader: Zac Mills
Price: Contact
Price includes: All meals and accommodation, transport from Prince Rupert
Accommodation: Sharing
Location: Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Fitness Level: Moderate
WATCH OUR SPIRIT BEAR VIDEO
PHOTOS FROM LAST YEAR
SPIRIT BEAR CONSERVATION
The Great Bear Rainforest is a natural eden. Two-thirds the size of Ireland, it is one of the world’s most special wild places. Picture ancient trees, up to a thousand years old, with extraordinary animals, such as spirit bears, coastal wolves, whales, salmon, and so much more. It is also home to more than two dozen First Nations.
But it wasn’t always protected. In the 1990s, these ancient forests were being logged to the point of collapse. In 2016, however, a groundbreaking agreement was reached to permanently protect 85% of the Great Bear Rainforest from industrial logging, while the remaining 15% are subject to the strictest legal standard for commercial logging in North America.
The Gitga’at Guardians program is an environmental monitoring program led by the Gitga’at Nation. By protecting the wildlife (including the spirit bear), resources, and ecosystems of their territory, the Gitga’at Nation is also ensuring their way of life is sustained for future generations. As part of this tour, we are excited to be donating to their important conservation work.
THE GHOST BEAR
This tour is all about spirit bears. During the course of our tour, we will have the opportunity to see several different spirit bears that have previously been spotted in the area. September is the best time to see spirit bears because it coincides with the annual pink salmon run, which draws the bears to the creeks to feed.
You’ll have the opportunity to photograph spirit bears fishing right in front of you in their pristine natural habitat. We will also likely see several black bears who will also be fishing for salmon. If we’re lucky, we may see cubs, bald eagles, and coastal wolves.
With our position on the creek, we will have a great view of all the action. Because this area has been protected, the bears are extremely tolerant of humans. We will be accepted into their world as an observer, which is an honor and a privilege that will be life-changing.
TRIP DETAILS
Our typical day starts shortly after sunrise. After quick coffee and breakfast, we will grab a packed lunch and head out in the boat in search of spirit bears. Once we arrive at one of the various landing spots, we will hike about 10-15min to the prime spirit bear fishing locations, though we may encounter a spirit bear at any time.
We will be out all day until sunset. This schedule ensures we are maximizing our time in the field for photographing spirit bears. Patience is required and is necessary for spirit bear photography. Sightings may last from only a few minutes to several hours. While we wait, we can often photograph black bears fishing for salmon.
Since we will be on foot in the rainforest, sturdy rain gear and rain coverings for your camera equipment are a must. It will be worth it a million times over once we see a spirit bear emerge from the forest right in front of us. Once sunset arrives, we will walk back to the boat and make the journey back to Hartley Bay for a warm hearty dinner.
PHOTOGRAPHY
We want help you to become a better photographer. And to do so, we’re going to go the extra mile. Before the tour, we will have 3 hour long one-on-one sessions with you to understand your shooting style, discuss topics of interest (such as field techniques, composition, post-processing), and provide guidance to help you grow as a photographer and storyteller.
During the tour, we will have at least 2 optional image review sessions so that we critique our images and thereby make necessary adjustments while we’re in the field.
After the tour, there will be 3 more hour long one-on-one sessions to help you choose and edit your favorite images from the tour, and discuss other topics of interest. We will also organize a Zoom group event so each of us can present our favorite images and share stories.
Our policy is simple: ask us anything at anytime about gear, technique, strategy, composition, post-processing and beyond. We are here to help you!
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Zac Mills
As a wildlife photographer, traveler, and former World Bank economist, Zac brings a different perspective to wildlife conservation. He founded the Wildlife Collective to help others become better wildlife photographers and to use their voice for conservation. With leadership roles in several conservation organizations, Zac knows first hand that working together with like-minded individuals can make a difference. A certified guide and bear lover, Zac hopes to entertain you with stories from the wild, inspire you to get involved in conservation, and to become the best wildlife photographer you can be.
ITINERARY
The tour departs from Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada. Please plan to be in Prince Rupert by September 13th because we depart the following morning on the water taxi to Hartley Bay, the first day of the tour.
Prince Rupert
Sept 13
Arrive in Prince Rupert
You must arrive in Prince Rupert on September 13th. I will be spending the night at the Prestige Hotel, which is next to where we get dropped off from the airport shuttle, but there are other nearby options as well.
Sept 14
Prince Rupert to Hartley Bay
We will meet near the docks at the end of 90 Charlie Currie Road for our water taxi to Hartley Bay. The water taxi will take approximately 3 hours as we journey through the Great Bear Rainforest to our destination. En route, we may see humpback whales and if we’re lucky, perhaps even bubble feeding behavior which we witnessed last year. Once we arrive in Hartley Bay, we will be shown our rooms and after a quick change we’ll head out on the boat in search of spirit bears until sunset. We’ll then head back to the lodge for a hearty dinner.
Sept 15-17
Great Bear Rainforest
For each of the next three days, we will have an early breakfast and then we will follow the same schedule — we’ll pack a lunch and plan to be out all day in search of the magical spirit bear.
Sept 18
Tour Ends
On our last morning, we will wake up for breakfast and then head out for a few last hours in search of spirit bears. Our water taxi will depart around midday for our scenic boat ride back to Prince Rupert, which will bring this magical experience to an end.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many spirit bears will I see?
Wildlife is unpredictable, BUT we are going at the best time of year to see spirit bears in close proximity. At this time of year, the kermode bears are attracted to the creeks which fill with salmon each September. Last year, we saw only 1 spirit bear, affectionately named Strawberry due to the reddish-orange coloring on her back. We were very fortunate to see her multiple times over the course of our stay. In previous years, multiple different spirit bears were sighted. In addition to spirit bears, we are likely to see several black bears fishing for salmon. So in summary, a good deal of patience is required. We will do everything we can to find spirit bears, but we must remember that nature operates at its own rhythm and flow.
What other wildlife can we see?
We may see bald eagles, pine martens, deer, stellar jays, and if we’re really lucky coastal wolves. We will of course see many salmon so consider bringing an underwater housing for your camera. Salmon make great subjects for half over, half under type of shots!
How wet will it be?
It will be wet, which comes with the territory of operating in a rainforest. It is crucial to have a 100% waterproof jacket and pants, as well as high water proof boots. We recommend hip waders, which makes navigating through the small water passages worry-free. You will also benefit from a waterproof hat and gloves.
What focal range do you recommend?
For spirit bear photography, every focal range from 24-600mm can be of value. The wider perspectives are great for showcasing the spirit bear in its natural environment, with the green moss, salmon-filled creek, and ancient trees. Tighter compositions can be great for portraits and headshots. Last year, we shot about 50% of the time with a 70-200mm lens, 45% with a 200-600mm lens, and 5% with a 24-70mm lens. There are so many compositional possibilities that have a variety of focal length options will serve you well and help you to photograph the same scene from multiple perspectives.
Can I bring a tripod?
Absolutely. You will just need to carry it with you on the short hike from the boat to our setup location.
What's the bathroom situation?
There are four beautiful bathrooms with hot showers at the guesthouse. Out in the field, there are portable camping toilets available.
What's the food situation?
Hearty. We will be well fed on this trip. Any dietary needs can be accommodated.
What's the cell coverage like?
Good. There is reliable cell reception in Hartley Bay and we will have WiFi at the guesthouse. Once we board the boat and head out each day, expect to leave this connectivity behind.
Is Hartley Bay an alchohol-free community?
Correct. There will be no alcohol available on this tour.
More Questions?
Send us an email and we’ll be happy to arrange a time to chat through everything with you and answer any questions you may have.
WHAT’s INCLUDED?
• All guiding
• Photography instruction
• Accommodation
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
• Return water taxi from Prince Rupert
WHAT’s NOT INCLUDED?
• Insurance (required)
JOIN US FOR A TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Why Our Photo Tours Are Different
Experience
The essence of life lies in its experiences, and it is our unwavering mission to gift you the very best of them. We strive to craft our tours with care and authenticity, making each adventure a vibrant chapter in the story of your life.
Conservation
All of our tours have a conservation focus. We will learn about the challenges facing our primary subject and ongoing conservation work. Plus, every tour makes a donation to a conservation partner.
Locations
We take you to the world’s most amazing wilderness destinations, carefully selected for their unparalleled beauty and chosen based on our commitment to providing guests with the very best wildlife experiences.
Photography Focus
We welcome all levels of photography and provide optional photography sessions before, during, and after the tour. With our hands on learning, you are going to leave our tour as a better photographer. Ask us anything at anytime!
Small Groups
We believe that small groups give the best wildlife expereinces. We do not exceed 6 clients per guide, and in most tours, the ratio will be even smaller. This ensures that you get the personalized attention that you deserve.
Best Guides
We work with the world’s best wildlife guides, who also happen to be our good friends. They are experienced, keep us safe, and put us in the best possible position to have the best wildlife experience.