Boat chartering

The easiest route to getting out on the water is to book a charter, and there is a variety of choices. As well as a guided fishing excursion, you can book a day trip to learn about the early days when Nuxalk villages sprinkled the shoreline of North Bentinck Arm.

Explore the scenic Central Coast, see historic Mackenzie Rock on the north shore of Dean Channel, hike in to giant cedars and stop at natural hot springs. The grandeur of this rugged wilderness is at its best from a boat. One of the boat charter services can accommodate up to fifteen people for a multiday excursion.

The Estuary

The Bella Coola River mouth forms a beautiful estuary that is a special intertidal area teeming with life. To explore this rich environment at the end of North Bentinck Arm, take a guided Zodiac trip. Or, for experienced paddlers, put in your own kayak or canoe to revel in the wonders. Bald eagles, elegant trumpeter swans, great blue herons and saucy, chattering kingfishers are all seen here. More than 100 species of birds have been identified in the estuary, which is also known as a mud flat. In addition, you'll see remnants of early settlements from the turn of the last century, as well as rustic gillnetters long abandoned on the shoreline.

For the really unusual, during mid-July to late August, join a guided excursion to swim and snorkel with salmon. Learn about salmon ecology and experience the magic of coming head to head with this amazing species.