Explore The Wildlife of Northern Vancouver Island
Explore The Wildlife of Northern Vancouver Island
Coastal Rainforest Safaris - Whale Watching and Wildife Viewing Tours
Coastal Rainforest Safaris delivers exciting wilderness experiences rooted in the culturally rich territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw people. Hop aboard “Big Red”, our rigid hull inflatable (RHIB) wildlife viewing boat and explore the diverse wildlife of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, on the wild West Coast of Canada. Departing from Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island, we offer guests an immersive nature experience that explores our connection to the land and sea, the wildlife, and the First Nations people who have lived here since time immemorial.
Enjoy your trip with the peace of mind that our knowledgeable and experienced staff are putting your safety first. Coastal Rainforest Safaris is pleased to offer limited seating for the 2022 season – 8 guests per tour, and up to 12 guests per private charter tour. Smaller tour group sizes and the ability to steer clear of high traffic areas mean each tour is catered to the guests and that no two tours will be the same.
We are unique in our vision of building a team of people from the territory that we are guiding in. We share our local history and culture with adventurous visitors.. Authenticity is at the heart of our company and is present in everything that we do.

Departs daily at 10:00 am
From June 1 to October 3
5 ½ to 6 Hour Tour

Departs daily at 5:00 pm
From June 1 to August 31
3 to 3 ½ Hour Tour
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Wildlife, Knowledge and Skill!!! Thank you again for the wonderful experience first hand to observe wildlife in their element. Andrew led a wonderful trip and shared his abundant knowledge of the area. We witnessed Sea Otters cleaning, feeding and relaxing with hands behind head, mama Humpback and calf diving deep, showing tail fins again and again, hearing each blow... Many Sheerwater... read moreThank you again for the wonderful experience first hand to observe wildlife in their element. Andrew led a wonderful trip and shared his abundant knowledge of the area. We witnessed Sea Otters cleaning, feeding and relaxing with hands behind head, mama Humpback and calf diving deep, showing tail fins again and again, hearing each blow... Many Sheerwater birds, Rhinosoraus Aucklets, and more, and Stellar Sealions on haul outs! We even had Dalls Porpoise join us at the end. What I loved most was that the animals weren't disturbed by us, that I was super warm in the outfit attire provided by CRS, and the abundance of skill and knowledge by the guide! Can't wait for my next visit!!! This is must up here! read less
Wild R. -
Brilliant day out Had an unbelievable tour with Andrew! We were so fortunate to see a few whales breaching and all the animals we had seen along the way were just amazing! Andrew and his team run these tours incredibly and his genuine love for these tours makes it all the better! I would definitely recommend this tour if your looking for... read moreHad an unbelievable tour with Andrew! We were so fortunate to see a few whales breaching and all the animals we had seen along the way were just amazing! Andrew and his team run these tours incredibly and his genuine love for these tours makes it all the better! I would definitely recommend this tour if your looking for a more detailed and personal adventure. … read less
Christopher C. -
Fun, informative and professional We had a wonderful time today with Andrew our guide, visiting the islands, coves and waters around Port Hardy. Andrew (one of the owners of the company) was a terrific host and guide, as he was very safety oriented, respectful of the wildlife and knowledgeable about the area. We saw Humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bald eagles... read moreWe had a wonderful time today with Andrew our guide, visiting the islands, coves and waters around Port Hardy. Andrew (one of the owners of the company) was a terrific host and guide, as he was very safety oriented, respectful of the wildlife and knowledgeable about the area. We saw Humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and many birds, as well as breathtaking scenery. Lunch was a bonus, with a healthy salad, well made sandwich and home baked cookie, with your choice of hot beverage. This was one of the highlights of our three week Island tour - highly recommend. Great value for the money spent. A shout out to Zoe in the office as well - she was very friendly and helpful. Thanks! … read less
NorthVanPat -
Spectacular wildlife experience Wow, did this trip deliver! Although the weather did not fully co-operate, we saw 2 black bears, hundreds of sea lions, 20+ sea otters, 2 minke whales, 28 northern resident orcas, 4 humpback whales, and Dall porpoises . Organization of the trip was very good and their equipment excellent. Covid-19 practices were also very good.... read moreWow, did this trip deliver! Although the weather did not fully co-operate, we saw 2 black bears, hundreds of sea lions, 20+ sea otters, 2 minke whales, 28 northern resident orcas, 4 humpback whales, and Dall porpoises . Organization of the trip was very good and their equipment excellent. Covid-19 practices were also very good. Spectacular trip! … read less
Helen -
Incredible day on the water! Loved the small boat experience, only 8 of us passengers and it was perfect - we all had prime seating, and the ability to move around and to chat with the guide. Our guide (/owner) Andrew was incredibly knowledgable about the area, the wildlife, the history, and daily life. He led us on a 6-hour tour through open channels and... read moreLoved the small boat experience, only 8 of us passengers and it was perfect - we all had prime seating, and the ability to move around and to chat with the guide. Our guide (/owner) Andrew was incredibly knowledgable about the area, the wildlife, the history, and daily life. He led us on a 6-hour tour through open channels and small inlets, checking in regularly to make sure the experience was tailored to us. We ended up seeing 15+ orcas rubbing on the beach (so rare to see!), and with Andrew's hydrophone in the water, we had such a surreal experience as we stood in awe for almost an hour while listening to their noises and the sound of the stones. We also saw a lot of sea otters, and a couple of humpbacks from the distance. Lunch was more delicious than I could have expected - it was all fresh and healthy, with homemade cookies for dessert, and with nearly zero waste which was impressive. The weather wasn't great but it didn't matter - it's a west coast experience and these guys do it right! read less
PamDuyn -
Fun, informative and professional We had a wonderful time today with Andrew our guide, visiting the islands, coves and waters around Port Hardy. Andrew (one of the owners of the company) was a terrific host and guide, as he was very safety oriented, respectful of the wildlife and knowledgeable about the area. We saw Humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and... read moreWe had a wonderful time today with Andrew our guide, visiting the islands, coves and waters around Port Hardy. Andrew (one of the owners of the company) was a terrific host and guide, as he was very safety oriented, respectful of the wildlife and knowledgeable about the area. We saw Humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and many birds, as well as breathtaking scenery. Lunch was a bonus, with a healthy salad, well made sandwich and home baked cookie, with your choice of hot beverage. This was one of the highlights of our three week Island tour - highly recommend. Great value for the money spent. A shout out to Zoe in the office as well - she was very friendly and helpful. Thanks! read less
NorthVanPat -
DELIGHTFUL Evening!!! I took the three hour evening tour and it was just perfect. We saw four humpback whales, at least a dozen Dall's porpoise, many sea otters, lots of bald eagles and other birds. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The moon peaked out between the clouds on our way back into the harbour and that... read moreI took the three hour evening tour and it was just perfect. We saw four humpback whales, at least a dozen Dall's porpoise, many sea otters, lots of bald eagles and other birds. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The moon peaked out between the clouds on our way back into the harbour and that put a lovely ending to a very enjoyable trip. I highly recommend the experience. read less
Iwannagetoff -
An amazing birthday present! I had an incredible day on the water viewing wildlife with Coastal Rainforest Safaris! I enjoyed the scenery and all the amazing wildlife, especially the whales. The staff were knowledgeable and followed all the recommendations for COVID-19 protocol. Lunch was delicious and I felt comfortable and safe on the water. It was a wonderful day and I highly recommend... read moreI had an incredible day on the water viewing wildlife with Coastal Rainforest Safaris! I enjoyed the scenery and all the amazing wildlife, especially the whales. The staff were knowledgeable and followed all the recommendations for COVID-19 protocol. Lunch was delicious and I felt comfortable and safe on the water. It was a wonderful day and I highly recommend this trip! read less
diannehL3443RJ -
Incredible day on the water! Loved the small boat experience, only 8 of us passengers and it was perfect - we all had prime seating, and the ability to move around and to chat with the guide. Our guide (/owner) Andrew was incredibly knowledgable about the area, the wildlife, the history, and daily life. He led us on a 6-hour tour through open channels... read moreLoved the small boat experience, only 8 of us passengers and it was perfect - we all had prime seating, and the ability to move around and to chat with the guide. Our guide (/owner) Andrew was incredibly knowledgable about the area, the wildlife, the history, and daily life. He led us on a 6-hour tour through open channels and small inlets, checking in regularly to make sure the experience was tailored to us. We ended up seeing 15+ orcas rubbing on the beach (so rare to see!), and with Andrew's hydrophone in the water, we had such a surreal experience as we stood in awe for almost an hour while listening to their noises and the sound of the stones. We also saw a lot of sea otters, and a couple of humpbacks from the distance. Lunch was more delicious than I could have expected - it was all fresh and healthy, with homemade cookies for dessert, and with nearly zero waste which was impressive. The weather wasn't great but it didn't matter - it's a west coast experience and these guys do it right! … read less
Pamela D. -
Outstanding sea otter and wildlife tour with Coastal Rainforest Safaris! We had a fabulous wildlife tour with Andrew! We saw dozens of sea otters, Dall's porpoises, humpback whales, stellar sea lions, seals, and orcas! Andrew is an excellent and knowledgeable guide, who went the extra mile (many miles, actually!) to locate a large pod of orcas that had been spotted in the area. It was such as bonus to see... read moreWe had a fabulous wildlife tour with Andrew! We saw dozens of sea otters, Dall's porpoises, humpback whales, stellar sea lions, seals, and orcas! Andrew is an excellent and knowledgeable guide, who went the extra mile (many miles, actually!) to locate a large pod of orcas that had been spotted in the area. It was such as bonus to see them as part of this tour. Thank you - we heartily recommend this tour! read less
debr832
Port Hardy Whale Watching and Sea Otter Viewing Tours
We are located in Port Hardy at the north end of Vancouver Island.
Ḵ̓asa-Sea Otter. It’s great to see these wonderful beings come back to repopulate our homeland. We will see the ecosystem come back to how it used to be, in time! #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #seaotter #cuteness #gonorthisland ...
Puffins! Saw well over a thousand of these guys off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island at Triangle Island on Thursday during our Scott Island Birding trip. There were even higher numbers of common murres. Many other species were also seen.
We have three spots still available on Saturday's tour. To learn more and book online visit our website.
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#puffin #tuftedpuffin #birding #trianlgeisland #wildlifephotography #visitporthardy #gonorthisland #explorevancouverisland #explorebc #explorecanada #goindigenous #indigenousbc #indigenouscanada #bcbirdtrail
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@canada
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GIVEAWAY ALERT! @coastalrainforestsafaris would like to offer our HeartsofCanada.com email newsletter subscribers a chance to win a true Northern Vancouver Island getaway experience for two!
The prize is Coastal Rainforest Safaris’ Whales, Otters, and Grizzly Bears package, which combines their six-hour Sea Otter Viewing and Whale Watching Tour from Port Hardy with a day of grizzly bear viewing from Port McNeill with @seawolfadventures, plus three nights accommodation in Port Hardy.
Please show our friends @coastalrainforestsafaris some love and give them a follow, then check out the link in our bio or our IG stories for information on how to enter!
Good luck! ...
repost from @jenn.the.explorer who saw lots of great wildlife in a Sea Otter and Whale Watching trip with us last week, " ya just never knows what’s around the next bend."
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#wolf #coastalwolf #visitporthardy #gonorthisland #explorevancouverisland #explorebc #explorecanada #goindigenous #indigenousbc #indigenouscanada ...
repost from @jenn.the.explorer 👋🏼
#theoutbound #landscape #landscapephotography #naturelovers #nature_seekers #wildernessculture #vancouverislandlife #justgoshoot #ohcanada #vancouverisland #discoverbc #livefolk #folkcreative #getoutstayout #enjoycanada #adventurethatislife #goexplore #escapetoronto #tourcanada #canadaday #canadasworld #imagesofcanada #thankyoucanada #folkscenery #thecanadiancollective #liveauthentic #lifeunscripted #documentyourdays #marinelife ...
repost from @jenn.the.explorer who joined us on a tour last week, "a steller sea lion with a glance over its shoulder. this one was smaller, but the big boys can weigh up to 1,000kgs. 😯"
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#vancouverisland #marinebiology #marinelife #westcoast #queencharlottestrait #greatbearrainforest
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#visitporthardy #gonorthisland #explorevancouverisland #explorebc #explorecanada #goindigenous #indigenousbc #indigenouscanada #sealion ...