Calling all wildlife lovers! 🐋🔍 Think you know your coastal marine mammals? Swipe through and see how many of these ocean locals you can identify. Some are easy, some will have you doing a double take. Drop your guesses in the comments 👇 Check our stories to see how you did, and tell us your score! These are just a few of the species you might spot on our tours through the coastal rainforest. 📍 Daily departures from late May to early October 2027
And just like that, another season comes to a close 🐋🦦 We’re grateful to operate in the traditional territories of the Kwakwakaʼwakw peoples. We honour their enduring relationships with these lands, waters, and wildlife, and thank the First Nations whose territories we visit. A huge thank you to our guests, crew, partners, and everyone who helped make this season so special. We’re incredibly grateful for every adventure, every wildlife encounter, and every memory made along the way. Natalie Wren and Eleni Jane (our two vessels) are now tied up for the year, taking a well-earned rest while we continue working behind the scenes. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the coast. Until then, thank you for making 2026 an unforgettable season. If you’d like to join us next year, get in touch with our team!
We can only imagine what was being said out there in the kelp! From suspicious side-eyes to serious conversations and a few questionable expressions, these otters certainly seem to have a lot on their minds.
What do you think they’d be saying? Drop your best caption in the comments! 👇
Every humpback has one feature that’s completely unique to them. Do you know what it is? 🐋 Drop your guess in the comments, then swipe for the answer 👉 Our guides watch for it on every trip, and researchers rely on it to track individual whales along this coast. Have a fluke photo from your trip? Tag us, we’d love to see it. #HumpbackWhale #WhaleWatching #PortHardy #GoNorthIsland #CoastalRainforestSafaris
Did you know that some Steller sea lion pups nurse for up to three years? Growing up on this coast means slowly trading life with mom for life as an independent hunter. Pups start exploring the water within their first couple of months, and mothers and pups keep track of each other by voice and scent. But it’s a risky childhood, with rough seas, crowded rookeries and, once they’re swimming farther out, killer whales. With several year-round haulouts in our area, we regularly see Steller sea lions on our trips. Swipe for more on how they grow up 👉 #StellerSeaLion #PortHardy #GoNorthIsland #WildlifeOfBC #CoastalRainforestSafaris
Our Sea Otter & Whale Watching Tour travels through a maze of islands, shores and marine habitat where the Pacific meets the rainforest. Along the way, there are opportunities to encounter sea otters, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, sea lions, orcas , bald eagles and a wide variety of seabirds, all in their natural environment.
The route takes us through the territories of numerous Kwakwakaʼwakw First Nations. Our guides, deeply passionate about wildlife, the local ecosystems, and the rich tapestry of indigenous culture and history, offer unparalleled insights, guiding you to prime locations for wildlife observation.
Our Whales, Otters & Grizzly Bears tour dates for 2027 are officially open for booking. We spend the first day exploring the coastal waters of Northern Vancouver Island on our Sea Otter and Whale Watching tour. Keep watch for sea otters, whales and the diverse marine life that makes these waters so remarkable. 🦦🐋 Then, venture into the wilderness on day two for a grizzly bear viewing tour with @seawolfadventures. Travel through the remote coastal landscape in search of grizzly bears in their natural habitat. 🐻 Between your two days of wildlife viewing, enjoy a two-night stay at the @kwalilashotelporthardy. Two days. Three iconic coastal species (& more). One Northern Vancouver Island adventure. 2027 dates are now available — view the full itinerary and reserve your spot via the link in our bio!
Attention photographers and wildlife enthusiasts 📸 Our September Wildlife Spectacular departs next week — and there are just TWO spots remaining. This multi-day expedition is built for one thing: giving you the time, space, and access to experience the BC coast at its absolute best. Expect long, flexible days exploring remote inlets, islands, and coastal waters as we search for sea otters, humpback whales, orcas, minke whales, Steller sea lions, and, if luck is on our side, rarer species such as northern fur seals, fin whales, and coastal wolves patrolling the shoreline. With just 8 participants aboard our 12-passenger custom RHIB vessel, you’re never fighting for the best viewing spot. Move from bow to stern, find your angle, and follow the wildlife and changing light throughout the day. Early September brings some of the most active wildlife viewing of the year, and this trip is designed to maximize your opportunities to view some of the most iconic animals on the BC coast. A true small-group expedition focused on wildlife, landscapes, and unforgettable encounters. If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the time. 📍 Port Hardy, Northern Vancouver Island 📅 Sept 13 to 17, 2026 🛥️ Limited to 8 guests — only 2 spots remaining Learn more at the link in our profile. #WildlifePhotography #BCWildlife #WhaleWatching #PhotographyTrip #VisitPortHady #GoNorthIsland #ExploreBC #IndigenousBC
You never know what you might encounter on a trip with Coastal Rainforest Safaris. On August 11, we spotted a Bald Eagle swimming toward shore. We assumed it had caught a fish too large to carry in flight, but when the eagle hauled itself onto a rock, we realized it had a bird in its talons, and not just any bird. It was a Nazca Booby. Nazca Boobies are normally found in tropical waters, and this was only the eighth confirmed record of the species in British Columbia. Although it was sad to see that this exceptionally rare visitor had not survived, it did provide the eagle with a substantial meal. It was an unforgettable glimpse into the realities of life in the wild. This Saturday, September 5, we’re heading offshore from the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island for a full-day Pelagic Birding Adventure. Who knows what we might find? #NazcaBooby #Booby #BaldEagle #PelagicBirding #BirdingBC #BCBirdTrail #RareBird #GoNorthIsland #VisitPortHardy
The waters around Northern Vancouver Island are home to remarkable orca populations, each with unique behaviours, diets, and family traditions. Living in close-knit pods and communicating through distinct vocal dialects, these intelligent marine mammals continue to inspire awe every time we encounter them.
Here’s to celebrating and protecting them today and every day 💙
(These clips were captured using a telephoto/zoom lens)
