This is an experience not to be missed. A unique opportunity to stay with like minded people and share the bear and wildlife viewing with knowledgable guides who are passionate about what they do. If you get the chance - go!!

We had seen quite a lot of other places, among them the terrible Hallo Bay, when we came here. What a difference! The guides were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly. The rooms were excellent with our own bathroom and shower. The food fantastic and plenty of it, here you would never leave the table hungry. They even had programmes for you in the evenings.
This is the place to go to for bear watching! 5 star of course!

What a fantastic place - and this from someone who's not slow to criticise. This is an unusually long review, because there's just so much to write about, as Knight Inlet is not just a hotel.

We booked a 2 night stay through Scenic Tours at home in Australia - we probably could have done it much cheaper by going direct, but it was more convenient to take the package.

As other cautious reviewers have noted, it was going to be hard for the place to live up to its reputation, as so much depended on the wildlife turning up too. But it's where wildlife film makers go, and it's where researchers study. And the wildlife did turn up, and in abundance.

The Lodge itself is an excellent match between environment and creature comfort - our wood cabin was basic, but clean. The food was well prepared and plentiful.

But no one goes to Knight Inlet for the rooms and the food. You go for the wildlife. Which means you need guides. And Knight Inlet has plenty of them. Each day starts at 6.30 am with breakfast, and ends at around 9pm after an optional talk with one of the guides. What you do each day is arranged for you by the manager, who'll slot you in to a tour (mostly about 2 hours long and with a maximum of 4-6 people) according to your wishes and availability. In our case we most wanted to see grizzlies catching salmon, as per the Attenborough TV program. And each day we saw them. Up close, too, thanks to Knight Inlet's two stages, strategically placed along the spawning channel. For a couple of hours at a time, you stand on this stage, watching agog, as these beasts do what come naturally, and without being concerned at the presence of humans.

The guides were just terrific - clearly committed to the cause, and it was both educational and fun to be with them. When we weren't watching bears we took trips along the inlet, looking for black bears ( no luck), bald eagles (plenty), and other wildlife like Canada geese. On one trip four of us walked along bear tracks (and yes, bears do **** in the woods, and no, we didn't come too close). We also released salmon fingerlings into the river, truly a feelgood moment. Another trip took us further along the inlet, and Bob the guide (who's clearly not paid by the word) gave us some of the history of man's involvement with the area, such as it is. For those staying longer (one couple was staying 6 nights) there are other, longer trips, whale-watching, for example, which I know they loved.

The only downside for those flying in from Vancouver, and it's only a slight criticism, was the necessity to spend a day and a night in Campbell River before the seaplane journey to Knight Inlet the following morning. And while the transfers were efficient, and the motel ( a good 20 minute walk from the centre of town) was perfectly adequate, (as was the pub next door), I wouldn't say Campbell River on a Sunday had a great deal going for it, except for a small and interesting local market. But that's the only way to get to Knight Inlet, so we had to cop it sweet.

So thanks to Steve the manager and all the guides - we had a great trip. It's never likely to be repeated, and it'll live long in the memory.

My wife and I and 2 daughters (ages 7and 10) recently spent 3 nights at Knight Inlet and cannot speak highly enough about the whole experience.
The guides at the Lodge were so enthusiastic. Special thanks to Dean and Lori who were great with our girls.
We saw all the wildlife that was promised and enjoyed all the activities: bear watching, marine tour, kayaking, rain-forest walk, estuary tour etc....
Reading many of the other reviews, it appears as though a lot of people felt a real connection with this special place. We were no different.
A special thanks also to Phil in the booking office who was so helpful both before and after our trip.
My only advice is to stay 3 nights at the Lodge, (4 night package) as this way you will be able to squeeze everything in!
Go book!!!