Great Bear Rainforest Photo Workshop
- 9 Days
From $11,995 - Interests
- Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Group Size
- 20
Photograph British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, where Spirit Bears, grizzlies, whales, and the coastal wilderness come together in one adventure.
Join us in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, one of the wildest and most photogenic places in North America. This remote coastal wilderness, with old-growth rainforest, salmon-rich rivers, tidal flats, and a rugged shoreline, offers an extraordinary setting for photographers seeking more than a quick sighting.
Each day, we explore by boat, adapting to tides, weather, wildlife activity, and the best available light. That flexibility gives us the best chance of being in the right place when the moment comes.
We search for coastal grizzly bears, Spirit bears, and black bears as they fish, forage, and move through the rainforest and along the shoreline. Offshore, humpback whales are often seen feeding, surfacing, and sometimes breaching. Orca, porpoise, sea lions, sea otters, and Bald Eagles add to the range of subjects and photographic opportunities throughout the trip.
One of the most exciting possibilities is the chance to photograph a Spirit Bear, the rare white-coated black bear found only in this region. Sightings vary each year and are never guaranteed, but we spend dedicated time in prime habitat with expert local guides who know these waterways intimately.
See our other Great Bear Rainforest photo workshop.
Highlights
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Wild wildlife, real moments – Photograph grizzlies, Spirit Bears, black bears, humpbacks, Bald Eagles, sea otters, sea lions, and more in one of North America’s richest coastal ecosystems.
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A potential rare Spirit Bear opportunity – Spend dedicated time in prime habitat for one of the rarest bears on Earth, guided by experts who know these waterways well.
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Photography teaching that matters – Learn how to work with light, behavior, backgrounds, and timing to create stronger wildlife images in the field.
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Comfort in the wilderness – Return each evening to a comfortable lodge, good meals, and a warm place to recharge after full days of shooting.
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We handle the details – from logistics to daily planning- so you can focus on the experience and your photography.
What You'll Learn
- Read wildlife behavior and recognize when the best moment to take a photo is.
- Work with changing light on water, shoreline, and forest edges in this challenging environment.
- Composition techniques – Choose stronger and cleaner backgrounds in busy rainforest environments. We will help you to identify ways to incorporate the habitat into the story to tell a fuller story.
- Post-Processing – We will work with you on post-processing techniques to help you create better images.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
Sep 13–21, 2028 -
Kevin Pepper
Sep 13–21, 2028 -
Mike Wardynski
Sep 13–21, 2028
Activity Level
You can expect boat rides of 60 to 90 minutes to reach bear-viewing areas, and possible hikes of up to 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) on uneven terrain.
This tour has an activity level of Moderate. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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As part of this workshop, a $200 per person conservation fee is included with each guest booking. These funds help support local conservation organizations and community-led stewardship initiatives in the Great Bear Rainforest and the community of Klemtu. By joining this experience, you are doing more than visiting an extraordinary wilderness. You are also contributing to the ongoing care, protection, and future of this remarkable region.
This tour offers opportunities to photograph wildlife. We'll maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, but we want to remind you that we don't control wildlife and cannot guarantee encounters with particular species. Itineraries for wildlife trips are subject to change based on wildlife activity.
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Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver
Arrive at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) before 3:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
Tonight we will have a group dinner and discuss what to expect on our adventure.
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Day 2: Arrive at Great Bear Rainforest
Today we have a scheduled Pacific Coastal Airlines flight from Vancouver to Bella Bella. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the docks, where our boats are waiting to carry us into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. Keep your camera close as we watch for wildlife along the way. After arriving at the lodge, there will be a warm welcome and orientation before you settle into your ocean-view room. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner with the group and your first quiet moments overlooking the wild coast.
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Day 3–7: Exploring the wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest
Each day in the Great Bear Rainforest brings a new adventure. Traveling by comfortable boat through the Traditional Territory of the Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation, we head out in search of the wildlife that calls this coast home. Daily plans are shaped by recent sightings, tides, weather, and the best available photographic opportunities.
We may spend some days quietly waiting along a river system as bears emerge from the forest. Other days may include exploring shorelines, visiting multiple locations, or cruising estuaries by zodiac. Certain outings focus on searching for Spirit Bears in prime habitat, while others are devoted to grizzly bears, humpback whales, and the many other species found throughout the region. No matter the day’s plan, we always stay alert and ready to adapt when wildlife presents an unexpected opportunity.
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Day 8: Farewell to the Great Bear Rainforest
After breakfast, take in one last quiet morning in the Kitasoo Xai’xais Traditional Territory before packing up for departure. Before leaving, we visit the traditional Big House for a cultural experience and farewell. Mid-morning, we travel by boat back to Bella Bella, followed by a van transfer to the airport for your Pacific Coastal Airlines flight to Vancouver. Once we arrive at the Vancouver South Terminal, you will be transferred to our airport hotel for our final night together.
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Day 9: Departure Day
Departure from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You can book your return flight for anytime this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
We stay at an exclusive Indigenous-owned lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest, offering comfortable accommodations in the heart of Kitasoo Xai’xais Territory.
In a place this remote, where weather and wildlife shape each day, where you stay matters. The lodge gives us a comfortable base, good meals, and direct access to extraordinary wildlife and cultural experiences, while also allowing guests to recharge fully between long days on the water.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Dates & Prices
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Sep 13–21, 2028$11,995 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$3,495 USDSingle SupplementGroup Size: 20Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDDue Feb 26, 2028: $4,798 USDBalance Due: May 16, 2028
Terms & Conditions
Due to lodge deposit requirements, this workshop has a different cancellation policy than our typical trips.
- More than 200 days before departure: Your deposit is refundable, less a $200 USD per-guest cancellation fee.
- 91–200 days before departure: Cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
- 90 days or less before departure: Cancellation fee is 100% of the tour price.
All of our Terms & Conditions also apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- All transportation during the tour, including internal flights.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure and during the tour.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- Conservation fee.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Gratuities for local guides & crew.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our wildlife photography tutorials.