Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest by private yacht

World-wonder wildlife experiences

Existing now as it did thousands of years ago, the coastal fjords of British Columbia hide one of the largest – and most extraordinary – areas of unspoiled rainforest still left in existence.

It’s a maze of waterways and dense-green islets, devoid of infrastructure. That means travelling by yacht is the only real way to experience it, mapping remote fjords in complete isolation. Here, the salmon run brings out a frenzy of wildlife activity. Paddle SUPs out to bubble-netting humpbacks, swim with frolicking seals and let First Nations trackers bring you out to all-white spirit bears, all before retiring to private-chef comforts of a classic yacht.

This has long been a Cookson favourite, having hosted wellness retreats, epic adventures for friends and conservation-led educationals for families. Using our contacts, we’ve seen guests gain special invites to First Nations communities, work alongside conservationists and have even brought in longevity doctors to create the ultimate in personalised wellness programmes. It’s all tailored to you.

All media taken on Cookson Adventures trips

To show me his version of a wellbeing immersion, the founder of Cookson Adventures and billionaires’ favourite travel guru Henry Cookson takes the medi-spa into the wild: the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada

Times Luxx, December 2023

Elusive wildlife

There’s a special intimacy to the wildlife encounters you experience in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, whether SUPing among marine life or hiking out in search of bears. As well as ocean-going wolves and hungry grizzlies flipping rocks along the foreshores, the majestic spirit bear and one of nature’s great migrations – the world-famous salmon run – are two particular highlights.

Special access by private yacht

Captained by the region’s best, take in the rainforest’s wonders from a WWII-era veteran – once a former research vessel that today brings a slice of classical yacht comfort to the remotes of this Canadian wilderness. Alongside smaller tenders and a full spread of water toys, we can bring in hot tubs, yoga setups and even on-board internet access, too.

Whales of the Great Bear Rainforest

From spotting groups of orcas in the salmon run to admiring a frenzy of bubble-netting humpback whales in action, whale watching is a true spectacle of nature on British Columbia’s Pacific coast.

Rainforest watersports

This rugged region’s waterways are also your own personal playground for adventure. It might be taking in remote conservancies by paddleboard or being pulled along on skis through narrow fjords and outlets. This forest is also a true paradise for kayaking, with seemingly infinite inlets and islands to explore from the water.

Hiking, diving & fly-fishing

With our local knowledge and contacts, we know the rainforest’s secluded spots that sit well away from the crowds. Hike out in search of elusive spirit bears with a top nature expert. Swim or scuba with seals in tranquil bays and otherworldly kelp forests. Then, there’s spotting brown bear patrols as you quietly cast out for trout and salmon in remote river estuaries.

The Great Bear Rainforest by heli & floatplane

Bringing in helis and floatplanes means exploring otherwise-inaccessible reaches of the rainforest and beyond. Fly further into the wilderness to reach unique heli-hikes and biking routes. Or, capture last-minute wildlife moments up close with spontaneous detours and searches for the region’s elusive wildlife.

First-hand conservation

Head behind the scenes of some of the region’s most ground-breaking wildlife projects, from tracking whales with hydrophones and non-invasively studying wildlife behaviour by drone to joining a local research team to spend time with coastal wolves in the field.

Expert insights

We can elevate adventures by bringing in top experts in their fields – of course, all tailored to you and your interests. It might be longevity doctors and free-diving breathwork specialists, or even the local authority of a Gitga’at guardian and First Nations spirit bear guide. We also know of an award-winning wildlife photographer and prolific author on the region’s unique ecology who will happily accompany you throughout your trip.

First Nation interactions

With our First Nation contacts, enjoy a special insight into this fascinating culture, with access to private areas and the chance to meet the people who have called this remote place home for millennia.

Prime among the world’s great wildernesses, this is a region defined by its unique geography and wonderfully intimate wildlife encounters. The fabled salmon run, whereby these hardy fish migrate back upstream to spawn, brings about stalking predators – including the elusive spirit bear. An icon among wildlife watchers, it’s a rare white variant of the North American black bear that’s fabled among the First Nations and almost entirely exclusive to the region.

That’s alongside watching breaching orcas from your tender, swimming with sea lions in great kelp forests and searching for grizzlies in the company of a renowned conservationist. And, travelling by yacht, you’ll have the flexibility to explore at will, with our experts following the wildlife conditions while you enjoy plenty of exclusive comforts. Indulge with hot-tub views from the deck, private-chef dining and truly elegant accommodation. Beautifully converted from a WWII-era US military vessel, it’s a joy of dark-wood fineries.

Footage taken on a previous Cookson trips

There’s also plenty of outdoor pursuits. Think using helis to reach otherwise-inaccessible biking and kayaking locations. SUPing through the meandering waterway network by day or night. Or, spotting brown bears patrolling the rivers as you join expert anglers to fly-fish along the water’s edge.

It’s all made possible by our exclusive contacts and local connections, whether that’s bringing in award-winning wildlife photographers, heading out with conservationists to non-invasively monitor ocean-going wolves by drone and whale activity with hydrophones or arranging for wellness specialists to join you on board. We’ve used wearable tech to inform breathwork specialists, nutritionists and performance doctors in setting up personalised wellness programmes for our clients. There’s also the option to extend your trip, with a stay in a luxurious floating lodge outside of Vancouver Island.