Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours

Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours

Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours
5
Cultural Tours • Boat Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips
Read more
About
Homalco First Nation have been the stewards of their traditional territory of Bute Inlet for generations and the cultural and historical significance of this area spans thousands of years. Our guided tours take guests through the Salish Sea to Bute Inlet and along the Orford River, where grizzly bear populations thrive during the salmon run. We also offer marine wildlife and cultural tours all of which are interwoven with knowledge from our traditional way of life. Our commitment to guests is to share our traditional lands, the share stories of our people and to create a sense of connection with our indigenous culture. We welcome you join us and learn about the land, wildlife and people while becomming immersed in the beauty of this spectacular land. ʔiymot kʷunome (It is good to see you).
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
Features animals

Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours and Tickets by Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours
Adventure Tours
7–8 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 99% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
from
$385.06
per adult
Half-day Tours
5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
from
$243.59
per adult
Travelers talk about
(8 reviews)
(5 reviews)
(18 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

5.0
281 reviews
Excellent
275
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Ugo
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Friends
From the welcoming in CR to the one in Orford Bay, the quality and attention from our hosts, the details and knowledge they have of the history and environment, everything was really well done, felt like we were welcome and Ron and Cathy, Jannette and Kevin were so resourceful and knowledgeable!

Helped that we had a gorgeous October, made it for an even more amazing experience.

Went with my partner and a friend visiting from outside the country. We were all charmed and falling in love with that area of BC and the history of the Homalco Nation.

Will come back, again and again!!
Written October 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HomalcoTours
Thank you for your review! It is great to hear you had such a lovely day and we certainly look forward to welcoming you back in the future. i:mote (it is good)
Written November 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

EKC L
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Couples
We were so glad to have made this tour. It was wonderful to be able to watch the bears, the eagles, the whales, the seals and all sorts of birds close up in their own natural habitats. It was just awesome! It was also great to hear first hand stories from our Guides (and body guards) of the people and histories of the First Nation around the areas. One of the highlights was a short stay at the Churchhouse bay where our Skipper, who was borne there, told us about the place, the people, the changes, the residential school, and the on going restoration and reconciliation. What a wonderful trip. Eight hours went by so quickly! Thank you very much, Homalco. Hope to see you again!
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HomalcoTours
8 hours sure does go by fast! We are glad you enjoyed your day with our team. Thank you for your review! i:mote (it is good)
Written November 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

robin_wildlife
Victoria, Canada2 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
The ‘Great Bears of Bute’ trip is an absolute MUST do. I had a fantastic time seeing bears and learning about the culture and history of the place. Located in the lands of the χʷɛmaɬku First Nation and under their stewardship, this place is a jewel. You realize that conservation, protection of our resources, and giving back to nature were values deeply entrenched in First Nations culture for millennia; long before the concepts of climate change and carbon neutrality were bandied about.
The boat ride out to, and back from, Campbell River was comfortable. Our captain and guide were brilliant, as were our tour guide and driver. The bears were the highlight of the trip. Our group saw 11 in total, including 2 sows with a cub each. We all came back to Campbell river with more than their money’s worth.
Highly recommended and a must, must do!
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HomalcoTours
Thanks, Robin, for your glowing review! We are happy to hear you had a great day learning, viewing, and being a part of something special. i:mote (it is good)
Written November 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elaine B
1 contribution
Jun 2021
Loved this trip...the guides Janet and Kelsey were a wealth of info and stories. The boat driver Dave was excellent also and kept an eye out to inform us where the whales etc were. This was a trip thought out for a while before embarking and we were sure delighted . Lunch and snack and beverages provided and special lunch for dietary persons. WE will definitely be booking again in the near future. We were originally booked for 1/2 day tour but with the Covid restrictions etc was set back and contacted to go on full day by Shirley. So glad we did this.
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so happy you had such a wonderful day exploring Bute Inlet and Orford Bay with Janet, Kelsie, and boat driver Dave. Thank you for joining us for our full day program! We look forward to welcoming you back, Elaine. I:mote - it is good.
Written June 29, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Richard S
2 contributions
Oct 2022
My Homalco day tour was an awesome bucket list. The 3-hour boat ride through the islands was worth the trip alone then was capped by magnificent Grizzlys on the two rivers feeding Orford Bay. The friendly indigenous pilot Ron was a master mariner, esp when returning us in a choppy SouthEastern, & the chatty biologist Mairi aboard knew her stuff & answered all Q's, & Chyanne & Ian were super explaining their indigenous roots in the cultural Centre
Written November 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HomalcoTours
Thank you for your review! i:mote (it is good)
Written November 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

kcdragonfly
Maple Ridge, Canada49 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
I just returned from the Great Bears of Bute Grizzly and cultural tour. What a wonderful day. The captain Al is first class, and our guides Janet and Kalvin were superb in teaching us Homalco language, cultural locations and the atrocities suffered in their community. Thank you Janet for sharing your Warrior woman song - just beautiful.
We visited 4 viewing areas and saw about 8 grizzlies and 2 cubs. Lots of salmon. Had a delicious lunch at the wharf and as a bonus we got to see some humpback whales.
You never know what you will see. I:mote Homalco Tours.
Written October 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HomalcoTours
i:mote! Thank you for your review and kind words. It is great to hear that you had a wonderful day with Al, Janet and Kalvin learning about culture and viewing lots of wildlife.
Written November 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julia P
Sydney, Australia3 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We had the most amazing day. We say humpback whales, sea lions, eagles but most importantly, bears! I was amazed about how many and how close we could observe them in their natural environment. We were so lucky and would absolutely recommended this tour to anyone.
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HomalcoTours
Thank you, Julia, for your review! i:mote (it is good)
Written November 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

mkkCalifornia
California71 contributions
Sep 2019
We traveled to Bute Inlet with Campbell River Grizzly Bear Tours. There we were met with Anthony and Cassandra from Homalco tours who introduced their culture and guided us for the next few hours. Both these guides were very respectful, pleasant and shared information about their culture and about the bears. Very interesting! We were lucky to see possibly 18 bears!! It was unbelievable! We saw 8 from a single tower. It was our lucky day to be able to see 3 adorable cubs just strolling by the river. It was a wet, rainy day but our guides and the wildlife we witnessed left us with fabulous memories. Robin from Campbell River Tours was very professional and wonderful and we saw a lot of sea life (humpback whale, dolphins, sea lions, otters) both on the way and return from Bute inlet. Any expensive day... but well spent.
Written September 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for joining us, and taking the time to leave this review! We're so glad we were able to introduce you the beauty and wildlife of Bute Inlet. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Anthony, Cassandra and Robin. ʔiymot kʷunome (It is good to see you).
Written September 16, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Val C
Bedford, UK81 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
If you love observing wildlife in their natural habitats this is the trip for you! A pleasant 2 hour boat trip from Campbell river to remote area up the Bute inlet and Orford river. Lots of wildlife on the way. Once at the settlement the real adventure starts! Amazing scenery, peace and quiet and plenty of time to observe the grizzly bears going about their day to day activities. You are ferried to the observation points in buses by very knowledgable First Nation guides who look after your safety at all times. We saw 5bears in different locations it was amazing! The rivers are full of spawning salmon and to see the Bears fishing is a real treat. We were allowed out of the buses to watch from the river bank very close to a mother and cub fishing in the river. A truly memorable experience. Plenty of time is allowed on the observation platforms to watch these amazing animals. This was followed by a light lunch and the return journey back to Campbell river. One of the best things we have done!!
Written September 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lmjives
Victoria, Canada103 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
We saw 8 bears and the day was fantastic but it's not for everyone!
It's an all day excursion from Painter's Lodge or Campbell River: 2-2.5 hour boat trip each way around the back of Quadra Island to Bute Inlet. We saw sea lions, birds, seals, dolphin, and orca on the boat trip and stunning scenery of course. It's tricky water so interesting from a sailing perspective as well. Once we got to Orford River, the Homalco Nation took over with buses, drivers, and guides and we went along the river stopping in 3 or 4 places to watch the bears as they took advantage of the salmon run. There are strict rules about no food and staying within arms length of the rest of the group.There's no bathroom on the boat and no access while watching the bears. Lunch is served at about 2:00 with a snack bar earlier. Those restrictions aren't a problem unless you are diabetic or have an active bladder. Also, with the salmon run comes the smell of rotting fish which can be potent. We loved every second of the excursion.
Written September 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 260

Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours (Campbell River) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours Information

Excellent Reviews

116

Very Good Reviews

2

Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours Photos

186