Spirit Bear Lodge

09/02/2026

An incredible moment captured in the field: a Steller sea lion surfacing with a Pacific spiny dogfish—locally known as a mud shark. 🦈

While salmon get most of the attention in the Great Bear Rainforest, opportunistic hunters like sea lions play a crucial role in maintaining balance throughout Kitasoo Xai'xais Territory. To process larger prey underwater, sea lions rely on sheer force and technique, surfacing to thrash their catch on the water's surface to break it into manageable pieces.

Have you ever witnessed a sea lion feeding in the wild?

Photo by: Jack Plant

08/31/2026

The Great Bear Rainforest is breathtaking, but its true beauty lies in what is hidden from the casual observer. Cassandra explains how every fjord, riverbank, and cedar grove holds the stories of countless generations of Kitasoo Xai'xais People. When you visit Spirit Bear Lodge, we don't just show you the view; we help you see through our eyes, revealing the deep, ancient layers of a home we have cared for since time immemorial.

Discover the hidden history of our home. Book your 2027 journey at the link in our bio.

08/28/2026

Wait for it... 🐻‍❄️

Think Spirit Bear season starts in October? Think again.

As August comes to a close, our guests have been gifted consistent, unforgettable encounters with Mooksgm’ol (Spirit Bears) along the riverbanks since the beginning of the month.

Early salmon make their way upriver and the rainforest comes alive with long daylight hours, making August a prime time to explore Kitasoo Xai’xais Territory.

Looking ahead to next year? We only have 3 remaining 4-night packages open for August 2027. Visit spiritbear.com or send us an email to secure your stay. 🐻

08/26/2026

“What visionaries our previous leaders were to think of this.”

Roxanne reflects on the foresight of our ancestors while setting the table for guests from around the world. Spirit Bear Lodge has opened up more than just tours—it has opened up our own territory to our people.

08/24/2026

Gliding beneath the surface. 🐬

Known for their incredible speed and energetic bow-riding along our boats, seeing a pod of Dall’s porpoises zig-zagging through the dark fjord waters of Kitasoo Xai'xais Territory is always a highlight on the water.

Have you ever seen a Dall's porpoise riding the bow wave of a boat before?

Photo by: Jack Plant

08/21/2026

There is a thread of continuity that runs from our ancestors to our current community in Klemtu. Cassandra highlights how the Kitasoo Xai'xais are part of a larger story of Indigenous pride along the entire coast. Every time we lead a boat into the fjords or walk a forest trail, we are honoring that legacy. We invite you to be a part of this ongoing story—one where tourism is a tool for cultural pride and environmental stewardship.

08/19/2026

Young eagles learning the ropes. 🦅

Did you know it takes half a decade for a bald eagle to get its iconic white feathers?

08/18/2026

The 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿 (ursus americanus kermodei) is a beautiful, mysterious, and rare subspecies of the 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧 found in British Columbia’s temperate rainforest.

Spirit bears hold special cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous peoples, who believe they are living reminders of a time when ice covered the Earth and of the need to care for the Earth.

Spirit bears are also a sacred symbol of peace and harmony. Many fortunate enough to see a Spirit bear attest to its power to stay in the heart long after the visit is over. Today, the people of the Kitasoo band protect Spirit bears and their rainforest and operate a sustainable lodge in the 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 to help people interested in seeing them.

For more information on bear species read, “𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚” on https://zurl.co/8Y9cB

Bear Trust International Spirit Bear Lodge

08/17/2026

When you spend hours sitting quietly on the water, you start to notice the small patterns before the big moments happen. 🐻

By mid-August, these sedge meadows become the main stage. The salmon are gathering just offshore, and the bears know it. Watching a grizzly move through these tall grasses in near-total silence is one of those experiences that completely shifts your pace of life.

spiritbear.com

Photos by: Heather Robinson

08/14/2026