History of Klahoose Coastal Adventures
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Klahoose Coastal Adventures – Grizzly Bear Tours in Toba Inlet
The Klahoose people have called Yekwamen (Toba Inlet) on the central west coast of British Columbia home since time immemorial. Today, the Klahoose community also resides on Cortes Island, maintaining a strong connection to their traditional lands. Towering cedar forests, glacial streams, and rocky shores form a stunning natural backdrop where Pacific salmon return each fall, drawing grizzly bears to the beaches to socialize and feast on the season’s bounty.
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Klahoose Coastal Adventures began operating grizzly bear viewing tours in Toba Inlet in 2016, sharing this remarkable traditional territory with guests from around the world. The first viewing tower was built under Chief James Delorme, with operations starting with a single tour operator and one ground viewing area.
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In 2017, Kevin Peacey was elected Chief of Klahoose and oversaw the expansion to six viewing towers along the river. Since then, we’ve partnered with other tour operators based in Campbell River, including Eagle Eye Adventures, Campbell River Whale Watching, and Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours, as well as launching our own Klahoose Wilderness Resort, offering guests unique and immersive experiences in the heart of the Toba Valley.
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In 2020, the Klahoose First Nation purchased Klahoose Wilderness Resort (formerly Homfray Lodge) in Desolation Sound, a remote Indigenous eco-resort that opened in 2021. During the Toba Inlet grizzly bear season (late August to mid-October), our all-inclusive wildlife and cultural packages include guided grizzly bear viewing tours, marine wildlife observation, and cultural storytelling led by Klahoose bear guides.
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Our small-group tours use six strategically placed viewing platforms, offering optimal sight lines to observe grizzlies in their natural habitat. Guests can experience the thrill of hearing the bears’ heavy breaths mingling with rushing waters—a truly once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.
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Each year, the grizzly bears return mid-August for the annual salmon run, a natural cycle that has taken place for millennia in Klahoose traditional territory. We invite you to join us in witnessing this spectacular event and create memories that connect you to nature and Indigenous culture.
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At Klahoose Coastal Adventures, we are dedicated to providing safe, comfortable, and unforgettable wildlife experiences, ensuring every guest leaves with a deep appreciation for the grizzly bears, Toba Inlet, and the Klahoose people’s heritage.
