^{Photo Credit: Tim Irvin}

Cruising through the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary is one of those quietly epic experiences you don’t forget.

Found in a remote corner of British Columbia, it’s home to one of the highest concentrations of coastal grizzlies, and you get to watch them up close from a small boat, surrounded by nothing but wilderness.

Most trips start from Prince Rupert, heading out by boat or floatplane. As you glide into the inlet, the landscape gets wilder, towering cliffs, misty rainforest, and no sign of people.

You stay on the water the whole time to avoid disturbing the bears, but you’re still close enough to see them fishing, playing, or teaching their cubs.

It’s all done with a deep respect for the land, co-managed with local First Nations who’ve called this place home for generations. Only a handful of visitors are allowed in each year, which keeps it peaceful and pristine.

If you’re after a raw, real wildlife encounter, Khutzeymateen is hard to beat.

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