Things to do & where to stay in the Bella Coola Valley

There are few places in the world where glaciers, rainforests, and ocean meet, and even fewer where these destinations are as accessible as the Bella Coola Valley. Nearly every mode of transportation can take you there—whether by car, ferry, or plane—and each characterizes the journey in the rarest of beauty. Bordered by British Columbia’s largest provincial park and the Pacific Ocean, you’ll quickly realize why this place is preserved, and largely protected for generations to come.

Bella Coola Hot Springs | Tyler Cave

Situated within the traditional territory of the Nuxalk (new-hawk) people, the Bella Coola Valley stands as one of the gateways to the largest coastal temperate rainforest on earth—the Great Bear Rainforest. Historically drawing visitors from around the globe, it’s a destination often sought after by international guests, frequently sold out during its peak season from spring to fall.

Explore the ins and outs of where to go, how to get there, what to do, and where to stay. Picture wildflower-lined trails leading hikers to alpine treasures atop the remote Coast Mountains. Imagine sailing trips through turquoise-blue glacial fjords, reminiscent of Norway or New Zealand, offering soothing hot springs and unparalleled coastal wildlife viewing. Indigenous art and storytelling flourish, reclaiming a narrative through transformational experiences that invite all those who are willing to listen.

The Bella Coola Valley seamlessly combines British Columbia’s natural wonders with rich cultural experiences, creating an action-packed destination ripe for exploration this summer, calling visitors to venture forth safely and responsibly.

Embark on Your Journey: Getting to Bella Coola

If you’re arriving by boat, it also likely means you’ll be arriving by car. This journey offers the most scenic combination of land and sea that British Columbia has to offer, as the new Northern Sea Wolf ferry navigates the Inside Passage. Whether you disembark from Port Hardy or drive up through the Cariboo and along Highway 20 into the Bella Coola Valley, including a ferry trip to complete your full Great Bear Rainforest Loop, this is one of BC’s most iconic and scenically diverse road trips.

Booking the Northern Sea Wolf is available through BC Ferries and should be your first planning priority for your Bella Coola vacation. This ensures not only availability but also allows you to plan the timing of your trip and pre-book accommodations, as this ferry route does not run every day and is often full.

Bella Coola Airport | Pacific Coastal Airlines

Tip: Check out our Road Trips page for itineraries that lead to and from Bella Coola.

The second option for reaching Bella Coola Valley is via a very scenic trip on Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver. Arriving and departing from Bella Coola Airport offers one of the most picturesque airplane journeys you’ll ever experience, as you descend and ascend next to glacier-capped granite mountains with waterfalls cascading down in every direction. Some accommodations include pickup and transfers to activities, or alternatively, you can opt to rent a vehicle from Bella Coola Vehicle Rentals.

Things to do in the Bella Coola Valley

In addition to gliding through the air, activities in the Bella Coola Valley take advantage of all the geological elements BC has to offer: ocean, land, lakes, and snow. From high in the alpine to low valley bottom and out into the fjords, unique and pathfinding adventures are not hard to come by.

Adventures in the air

Flightseeing by helicopter or floatplane is the best way to gain a bird’s-eye view of the stunning glaciers, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and mountainscapes of the Bella Coola Valley. Floatplane adventures with Tweedsmuir Air disembark from Nimpo Lake (about a 2-hour drive from the valley) and take visitors to the famous Hunlen Falls and Monarch Icefield while landing on glacial lakes such as Jacobson Lake.

Bella Coola is an award-winning, world-class heli-skiing destination that ranks second to none – so it serves as no surprise that when the snow melts, endless alpine adventures and beauty emerge.

Hunlen Falls | Jesaja Class

These mountainscapes are painted with colourful wildflowers and ancient glaciers whose true size and dramatic beauty are best seen up close on a heli-sightseeing or heli-hiking trip with Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and West Coast Helicopters.

Adventures on the ocean

Great Bear Sailing Adventures | Jonny Bierman

‘Bella Coola blues’ are a real thing (as named by the locals), referring to the turquoise-blue color in the fjords as a result of glacial runoff. These fjords and coastline are where the rainforest meets the ocean, the glaciers meet the sky, and where visitors find a connection with a British Columbia they never knew. These waters are a powerful place, and no visit to Bella Coola Valley is complete without exploring them.

Itineraries for exploring the waters from the Bella Coola Marina consist of trips to hot springs, waterfalls, ancient old-growth forests, fresh seafood lunches, and, if you’re lucky, visits by Pacific white-side dolphins, porpoises, seals, and even whales. Bella Coola Grizzly Tours offers single and three-day trips, while Great Bear Sailing Adventures offers single-day trips, two-day trips, and up to six days taking guests to the most remote parts of the Great Bear Rainforest. For eco-luxury sailing trips throughout the entire Great Bear Rainforest, check out Maple Leaf Adventures.

Another adventure that is quite literally on the ocean and just across the harbour is the historic Tallheo Cannery Guesthouse. This former cannery offers guided tours, events, and the only oceanfront guesthouse in Bella Coola, while also catering to events and scenic, remote retreats. All stays and accommodations come with transportation from the marina.

adventures on the ground

There are plenty of adventure options on the ground in the Bella Coola Valley, ranging from wildlife viewing to guided hiking and mountain biking. The region will surely keep you busy.

• Bear Viewing: Some of the best bear viewing opportunities in the world are found in the Great Bear Rainforest. Grizzlies are protected throughout British Columbia, and thanks to years of conservation work, wildlife viewing in the region feels like a safari of the north.
• Bird Watching: For bird aficionados, you’ll be able to spot many types of birds such as the Barred Owl, Pacific Wren, Varied Thrush, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Vaux’s Swift, and Pileated Woodpecker. It’s truly a bird paradise.
• Fishing: True anglers from all around the world know that the Great Bear Rainforest offers some exquisite fishing opportunities and is also home to millions of salmon as they battle the northern Pacific currents.

Jesaja Class

Aside from wildlife viewing, there is a plethora of activities available, ranging from thrilling adventures to more relaxing ones:

• Guided Hiking: Discover the beauty of the Bella Coola Valley while you go on guided hikes and explore over 20 trails with different levels of difficulty.
• Mountain Climbing: Experience stunning views of the region while embarking on exhilarating mountain climbs—a perfect activity for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Mountain Biking: Those visiting Bella Coola can embark on a 38.6 km (24 mi) trek from Bella Coola Wharf to Big Cedar Tree Larso Bay and be mesmerized by the beautiful surroundings.
• Horse Riding: Perfect for the rugged Bella Coola terrain, ride the gentle and friendly Icelandic horses in a magical adventure.
• Eco-rafting: Ranging from 3 to 4 hours, the Wilderness Eco-Rafting is a combination of ecological interpretation and a scenic wilderness river drift, making it a very unique experience.
• Ferrata: Try an assisted climbing experience with a spectacular self-propelled mountain adventure, amazing scenery, and an exciting feeling of exposure with low risk.

Tyler Cave

All of these activities and more can be found locally with Kynoch Adventures, Great Bear Chalet Adventures, Copper Sun Journeys, Thunder Mountain Adventures, and Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.

The roads around Bella Coola are made up of networks of forest service roads (FSR’s) that allow visitors to explore very off-the-beaten-path destinations such as waterfalls, viewpoints, lakes, and more. Over the Top Adventures offers safe 4×4 adventures to otherwise hard-to-reach (or find) parts of the region.

Guided Indigenous experience

The Nuxalk people have inhabited the Bella Coola Valley for thousands of years and they are one of more than 20 First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest. Understanding the Indigenous story is a powerful and grounding way to truly connect with nature and this destination, and a Copper Sun Journeys’ ‘Petroglyph and Totem Tour’ will do just that. Learn about culture, sense of place, customs, traditions, language, and history in an experience that can be found nowhere else. For more information about Indigenous communities and cultural respect, visit our guide.

Geoff Moore

Exploring the Town of Bella Coola

Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this charming town and its surrounding areas in the Bella Coola Valley: take a tour of the Bella Coola Museum, try cozy cafes and restaurants or immerse yourself in exciting festivals and events. Don’t miss the chance to experience cowboy culture during rodeo season, adding a unique touch to your Bella Coola adventure.

Firvale Wilderness Camp | Jordan Dyck

Places to stay in the Bella Coola Valley

Besides the vibrant town of Bella Coola, the small communities of Stuie, Firvale, and Hagensborg each have their own unique charm and attractions to discover, along with unique places to stay. From glamping resorts to rustic log cabins and A-frames, lodges, hotels, B&Bs, and campgrounds, the accommodations embody the essence of ‘British Columbia’.

Stuie is a laid-back small community offering visitors a chance to explore amazing nature during the day and relax in great accommodations like the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge at night. Situated approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) inland from the Bella Coola Harbour, it takes roughly 45 minutes to one hour to reach Stuie by car.

Firvale is home to wilderness camps, cottages, and camping domes, with Firvale Wilderness Camp being a popular destination for those seeking a unique experience in an incredible setting. Located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the Bella Coola Harbour, the drive typically takes around 20-30 minutes.

Last but not least, charming Hagensborg invites you to catch a glimpse of the Norwegian settlement life in the 1800s by touring the town’s valley visitor center in Bella Coola. Near Hagensborg, stay at Bella Coola Mountain Lodge, where you can get ready to enjoy waterfalls, hiking trails, and plenty of fishing. The town is located only 13 kilometres (8 miles) from the Bella Coola Harbour, with the drive lasting 15-20 minutes.

For more places to stay, see the listings below this article. And remember, while journeying through the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast on your way to or through Bella Coola, be mindful of others and practice safe and responsible travel.

By Jonny Bierman