King Island, British Columbia: Remote Wilderness in the Great Bear Rainforest

Why King Island Stands Out

King Island sits in the heart of British Columbia’s Central Coast, surrounded by the sheltered waters of Fitz Hugh Sound and the open Pacific. As part of the Great Bear Rainforest, it offers visitors a rare chance to experience intact temperate rainforest and coastal ecosystems with almost no human infrastructure. The island’s steep, forested slopes rise directly from the sea, creating dramatic shorelines ideal for paddling and wildlife observation.

Things to See and Do

Wildlife Viewing and Kayaking

Sea kayakers launch from nearby Bella Bella to explore the island’s coves and beaches, where black bears forage at low tide and humpback whales surface in the channels. The surrounding waters also host sea lions, harbor seals, and frequent pods of orcas. Paddlers often combine island circumnavigation with stops along the Koeye River estuary for grizzly viewing in late summer.

Hiking and Forest Immersion

Although formal trails are absent, experienced hikers can follow old logging roads and deer trails through ancient stands of cedar and hemlock. The island’s small size allows multi-day base camps from which to explore different bays and ridgelines. Birders watch for marbled murrelets, bald eagles, and pelagic species from exposed headlands.

How to Get There

Access requires planning. Most visitors fly into Bella Bella (YZB) on the Heiltsuk Nation’s reserve, then arrange water-taxi or floatplane transfers. Some expedition companies offer mothership support for kayakers. Private boaters navigate carefully through the narrow passages and tidal currents of the Inside Passage.

Best Time to Visit

The prime window runs from late May through early September, when daylight is long and seas are calmer. June and July bring peak salmon runs that attract bears; August and September offer quieter waters and possible northern lights. Winter visits are possible only for experienced expedition paddlers prepared for heavy rain and short days.

Nearby Attractions

Combine a King Island trip with a stop at the Heiltsuk Cultural Centre in Bella Bella or a visit to the Koeye River watershed, a protected area renowned for its salmon and spirit bear populations. Further north, the fjords of Fjordland Provincial Park provide additional multi-day paddling routes.