Our new YouTube channel launched today. Not tutorials—not travelogues. Something closer to witness: grizzly bears shoulder-deep in salmon, the exact moment fog burns off a fjord, what it actually feels like to stand in these places I’ve been photographing for a decade and a half.
This is the work I was put here to do. Each frame is a mirror—a clear pane looking out onto what is true. No algorithm will ever touch this light; no machine will learn this particular grace. These are my travel photography stories. Real exploration.
CAMPBELL RIVER GRIZZLY BEAR PHOTOGRAPHY
This is one of the very best spots in British Columbia for seeing and photographing grizzly bears.
THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WHOLE GRIZZLY BEAR DAY
Have you ever encountered a new circle of individuals whose energy radiated with remarkable intensity? Such was the experience on this day during our bear/boat tour. The people, with their vibrant spirits and shared enthusiasm, were truly the most extraordinary aspect of the entire journey.
The atmosphere brimmed with intensity as the guides operated at the pinnacle of their craft. This was an experience we will remember for a lifetime.
PHOTOGRAPHING GRIZZLY BEARS IN CANADA
The season for the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, Canada, is from August to October, when grizzly bear salmon feed. Plan around these dates.
HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH GRIZZLY BEARS IN CANADA
WHAT IS BEST TIME TO GO?
The highlight of this trip is the opportunity to photograph grizzly bears. You will only see them fishing for salmon during the season.
For the ultimate experience, take a guided tour by covered boat or floatplane to see the majestic Grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest, Knight Inlet, Rivers Inlet, or Bute Inlet at the island’s north end. Guides will bring you to the best vantage points for safely observing these massive brown bears in their natural habitat.
Early Season: August 20th – 29th, 2024
September 1st – October 15th, 2024
HOW LONG SHOULD I PLAN TO PHOTOGRAPH THEM?
If you go on a grizzly bear tour, it is an all-day adventure. The boat ride is about 1.5 hours each way, but you will meet new people and sometimes stop along the way if there are whales in the area. We went on a boat tour, and our guide was extremely knowledgeable. The entire trip went off without a hitch, although, as you can see, we went when the wildfires were at their peak. You can do this two times. You can book twice in case of bad weather, but if it’s clear, do it 2x. You may want a day’s rest in between. For some reason, we were very tired at the end of the day.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR SHOULD I BRING?
Of course, you will need a zoom lens. You will be at a decent distance to get good images like ours. We shot with a 48MP camera and a 100 -400 lens. You will be in a blind with many people on your tour, so hand-holding a 400 mm was a good choice. Call ahead to see if your tour will allow tripods. Bring extra batteries and memory cards. It’s a long day of shooting. We suggest renting a lens if you do not have a 400+mm zoom lens that you can hand-hold. Call the boat tour directly to ask about tripods.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING?
Our tour supplied our lunch, snacks, and drinks. We encountered no bugs, but bringing organic bug spray can’t hurt. (We hate toxic chemicals) Wear hiking boots and bring your backpack. There is no long walk, but dressing for the wilderness is advised.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
BC Ferries:
001 Island Highway, Campbell River, V9W 8C7
Air travel options from Seattle to Vancouver Island
Fly from Seattle, WA (and many other locations) to Victoria or Vancouver, and rent a car there!
Horizon Air Reservations: Toll-free 1-800-547-9308
Air travel options from Vancouver to Campbell River & Comox
WESTJET – www.westjet.ca
Fly WestJet to Comox on Vancouver Island and rent a car (approx. 20 minutes drive (32 km) from airport to resort).
Budget Car Rental: 1-800-268-8900 or 250-754-7368.
National Car Rental 1-800-387-4747 or (250) 923-7278
Fly to Nanaimo or Campbell River on Air Canada Jazz, and rent a car from Budget Car Rental (approx. 1.5 hours drive from Nanaimo Airport to the Resort & 15 minutes from Campbell River Airport).
Budget Car Rental: 1-800-268-8900 or 250-754-7368.
National Car Rental 1-800-387-4747 or (250) 923-7278
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
The Oyster Bay Resort! Check out the pictures and details below. We highly recommend staying at this location. SEE PICTURES AND DETAILS BELOW.
IS THER ANY OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY NEARBY?
In the center of downtown Campbell River lies Fisherman’s Wharf, a bustling area home to popular attractions such as the Discovery Fishing Pier, Maritime Heritage Centre, Campbell River Museum, and Discovery Passage Aquarium. We got a great shot there. Sunrise is incredible when the weather is right, on the pier facing the sun in the morning.
ARE THERE OTHER BOAT TOURS
Yes, Bald eagle whale watching, wildlife viewing and sunset tours.
HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?
Book your grizzly bear tour well in advance!! It books up fast.
At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. It is my hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.
May my works guide photographers illuminating their path toward creating stunning and impactful images that show the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer
GRIZZLIES OF BRITSH COLUMBIA
The raw majesty of North America’s apex predator demands respect from behind the camera. Grizzlies—those thousand-pound mountains of muscle, fur and primal instinct—transform ordinary wilderness photography into high-stakes wildlife documentation. Photographing these giants requires specialized equipment and technical knowledge and is best done with a guide for safety.
These magnificent bears navigate their natural habitat across British Columbia’s remote valleys and Alaska’s untamed frontiers. Professional wildlife photographers invest years mastering telephoto techniques, understanding bear behavior patterns, and developing the fieldcraft necessary to document grizzly bears without disturbing their feeding, mating, or denning habits. The ethical wildlife photographer maintains considerable distance, typically employing 600mm or longer lenses with teleconverters to frame these impressive omnivores without risk. But here on this tour, they bring you straight to the bears and keep you safe at the same time.
British Columbia’s salmon runs create ideal opportunities for observing grizzly bears from August through October. During these prime months, bears congregate along rushing rivers where they demonstrate remarkable fishing prowess, providing photographers with dynamic action sequences. Professional guides position clients at designated viewing areas, maintaining regulatory distances while bears focus intently on their seasonal feast.
Prime locations, such as the Great Bear Rainforest, as our pictures show here, offer world-class grizzly bear photography opportunities.
Grizzly Bear Viewing Tours in Toba Inlet, departing from Campbell River, in British Columbia, offer a unique land-based experience from exclusive platforms, guided by Indigenous experts. The adventure begins with a scenic one-hour boat ride to the dock in Toba Inlet. Along the way, you’ll explore Desolation Sound and Toba Inlet, with the possibility of spotting wildlife such as humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, eagles, and other marine creatures.
GRIZZLY BEAR PHOTOGRAPHY BOATS LEAVE FROM: 1348 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC V9W 8C9
The parking lot does not accept cash! We got a ticket, but when we called to explain that we had a pocket full of money and nowhere to pay, they forgave the ticket, and we just paid the parking fee over the phone. There is plenty of parking, but please note that you may need to leave the rest of your camera gear in your hotel due to the heat. We have an oversized cooler that we put our gear in and pack it with ice in plastic bags for these occasions. High heat in a vehicle is not good for camera gear.
Just bring your camera, a zoom lens, and a monopod if you like shooting with them.
A SPIRITUAL AND AMAZING DAY
Witnessing grizzly bears in their natural habitat and catching salmon with such power and grace is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be on every photographer’s photography list. It’s not just about taking amazing images; it’s about immersing oneself in the majesty of Mother Earth, feeling connected to our planet and all its wondrous creatures. This is a humbling reminder of our place in this magnificent world where we are fortunate to walk.
THE BOAT RIDE
Amidst the chaos of the wildfires in Canada in the summer, we embarked on our journey. Our boat cut through the waters while the smoke from wildfires was above us as we passed between towering mountains in the Butte and Toba Inlets. The sight was both awe-inspiring and harrowing, a reminder of the fragility of our existence in the face of nature’s destructive force. As we sailed further into the unknown, I couldn’t help but wonder if the smoke would come down and engulf us, but rest assured, it did not. I amhere typing. I.
ONE NATION GUIDES
The group took incredible shots of the majestic grizzly bears. Our guides ensured our safety despite being surrounded by fires as they expertly led us through the wilderness. Their deep connection and understanding of Mother Earth are truly admirable. We were grateful for their culture and history as we experienced a sense of ease in their presence. These incredible leaders from one nation are indeed masters of their craft, keeping us safe from any dangers that may arise during our journey together. Our guide told us that he once lived on this island.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT CAMPBELL RIVER?
The Fire Department! Here is why.
Please allow me to share my story so that I can express my appreciation.
I dragged myself out of bed before the sun peeked over the horizon, determined to photograph the perfect sunrise. My new drone glinted in the early morning light while filming Vancouver Island. The drone whirred quietly above me, getting incredible footage of the beautiful waters below. I was so enthralled by my progress that I decided to back up the drone and do the entire run over the waters towards the sunrise again.
But disaster struck as I backed up the drone without paying attention. For only a quick second, I lost sight of it. My heart sank as I watched a man in the distance point up to a thick branch high up in the pine tree. He called me over, pointing towards our now-stranded drone nearly 25 feet in the air.
After knocking on hotel doors, Thinking maybe somebody would have a ladder or someone would help me. But it was so early that no one was available. A woman had tried to help. She stopped. She felt for me. Panicked and on the verge of tears, I dialed the fire department for help. However, their policy did not include retrieving drones from trees. Desperate for a solution, I mentioned to the supervisor that I had a background in investigating for fire departments in their defense. In an unexpected turn of events, he made an exception and came to our rescue, saving our day from utter disappointment! (That is the short version. I pleaded in desperation. All the footage from the whole island was on a memory card in the drone for the videos I created.) LESSON: Besides not backing into a tree, have a second memory card in the controller.
In the USA, everyone reveres the fire department, including me. My stepfather was a brave volunteer fire chief who helped mold me into who I am today. These selfless individuals risk their lives daily to ensure our safety and well-being. Their actions go far beyond just extinguishing fires; they are true heroes in every sense of the word. I, too, have a background in volunteer emergency services, so maybe I appreciate them more than most.
THANK YOU, CAMPBELL RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT, FOR SAVING OUR DRONE AND THE VANCOUVER ISLAND FOOTAGE!
When you meet a firefighter or emergency service worker, be sure to express your gratitude for their dedication. Many volunteers put their lives on the line to serve the community. Volunteering in emergency services is especially rewarding. In my youth, I devoted thousands of hours to such service. I encourage you to consider volunteering as well.
Shutter Speed – You will shoot in shutter priority when doing grizzly bear photography. Learn more about shooting in shutter priority by following the link if needed. Shutter speed should be at least 1/1000th. If it is sunny, go even higher. When the bears run and slam into the poor fish, you can catch the droplets in great detail if you are 1/1000, 1/1200, or even higher, provided you have enough light.
Aperture – When shooting in shutter priority, the camera selects the aperture for you to balance the exposure.
ISO – This controls how much light is allowed into your camera when taking a picture. When you have a lot of sun and are photographing the bears, you will typically use an ISO setting of around 100. When the bears enter the heavy shade, you may need to go higher.
White Balance – Color temperature. Cloud, shade, or sun, for photographing the bears depending on your environment.
The Oyster Bay Resort
AREA INFORMATION FOR GRIZZLY BEAR PHOTOGRAPHY
Campbell River has an abundance of wildlife boat tours.
AREA INFO
There are no fees to visit the Campbell River area, but the boat fees to see the grizzly bears start at about $ 500 per trip. We do two trips on our photo tour.
The ecosystem in and around Homalco territory is unparalleled in its beauty and rich diversity – but it’s also incredibly sensitive. It’s our responsibility, as stewards of these lands and waters, to play our part in protecting the natural environment for generations to come. By joining us on a wilderness or cultural tour, you are directly contributing to the Homalco First Nation’s conservation and sustainability efforts. For more information, visit thier Conservation page.
Guided By Klahoose First Nation and Eagle Eye Adventures
Explore the once-dormant beauty of Toba Inlet with Klahoose Coastal Adventures & Eagle Eye Adventures. After a mesmerizing boat journey through the Inlet’s dramatic cliffs and waterfalls, join our seasoned guides and Klahoose First Nation guides to venture into the heart of Grizzly bear territory.
Call (250) 286-0809
HOTEL INFO
Oyster Bay Resorts
4357 South Island Highway (19A)
Campbell River, BC,
Canada V9H 1B7
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