Join Bay Cetology and Coastal Rainforest Safaris on July 11 and 12, 2026 for a unique weekend expedition into remote offshore waters off northern Vancouver Island. This trip offers the opportunity to search for rarely seen cetaceans such as sperm and beaked whales, pelagic killer whales as well as blue, fin, sei and North Pacific right whales while directly supporting Bay Cetology’s conservation research in real time. An added bonus is a wide variety of pelagic bird species.

Based out of Port Hardy, the weekend begins with an optional Friday evening presentation by Bay Cetology Executive Director Jared Towers for guests arriving the night before. Jared will introduce Bay Cetology’s research goals and the species we may encounter during the expedition.

On Saturday and Sunday, guests will head out each morning at 7:00 am aboard one of Coastal Rainforest Safaris’ 9.4-metre rigid-hull inflatable vessels (RHIB), operating alongside Jared on Bay Cetology’s 7.3-metre RHIB. The vessels will travel within coordinated range of one another so the teams can share sightings and field information while searching exposed, seldom-visited waters off the northwest coast of Vancouver Island for elusive offshore species. We expect each day on the water to be approximately 10 hours.

Please note that while Bay Cetology will be operating under its research permit, Coastal Rainforest Safaris’ vessels will maintain the minimum approach distances required under Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations at all times.

Coastal Rainforest Safaris’ vessels are purpose-built for remote expeditions and feature individual seats on shock-mitigating suspension platforms to provide a comfortable ride, even in bumpy conditions. When stopped to view wildlife, guests are not confined to their seats. The boats include viewing areas in front of and behind the seating, allowing everyone to spread out for the best possible sightings. A center aisle provides easy access to the onboard, standing-height toilet (head). Powered by twin 300 HP Yamaha outboards, the vessels can cover significant distances in a variety of conditions.

For comfort and safety, we provide two-piece flotation suits, warm hats, and binoculars on all tours.

Onboard features include Simrad navigation, radar, AIS, and dual VHF radios. An onboard hydrophone and speaker system allows guests to listen to whale vocalizations when conditions permit.

If weather prevents access to offshore areas, the productive but more protected waters of northeast Vancouver Island will serve as a backup region.

These expeditions help Bay Cetology locate and document threatened and data-deficient cetacean species that are infrequently encountered in nearshore environments. The data collected will contribute to a better understanding of their distribution and population status, supporting long-term conservation and management.