Pelagic Birding Tour
This is a special exploratory tour to the water surrounding the undersea canyons off Quatsino Sound off the west coast of Vancouver Island. We search for a myriad of pelagic bird species and have the opportunity for unique marine mammals, like Northern fur seals and Fin whales, as we explore these offshore waters.
Some pelagic bird species we may possibly view include:
- Pink-footed, Sooty, and Short-tailed shearwaters
- Fork-tailed and Leach’s storm petrels
- Parasitic, Pomarine, and Long-tailed Jaegers
- Northern Fulmars
- Black-footed albatross and if we are real lucky Laysan and Short-tailed albatross
- Occasional alcids
Tour Details
- Minimum age of 15 years old. Passengers 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- We meet at Coastal Rainforest Safari’s office at 7185 Market Street in Port Hardy, BC on Northern Vancouver Island.
- Please arrive 30 minutes before the tour’s departure time to be outfitted in floater suits and sign a waiver. At the office, your guide will provide a safety briefing plus an overview of the tour and area we will be exploring.
- For this tour only, our boat is docked in Coal Harbour a 15 minute drive from our office. From here we will travel by boat for about an hour through Holberg Inlet, Quatsino Narrows, and Quatsino Sound before reaching the open ocean.
- Our open RHIB vessels have comfortable seats on shock mitigating platforms and an on-board toilet.
- RHIBs are not suitable for people with a history of back or neck injuries, recent surgery, or are pregnant.
- Please dress warmly. You will be provided with two-piece flotation suits, warm hats, goggles, and binoculars.
- Plenty of wildlife photography opportunities are available but please do not bring tripods on board.
- A morning snack, lunch, soft drinks, and hot drinks are provided on the Pelagic Birding tours.
Below is a trip checklist compiled by guest Liam Ragan from the time we departed the dock until we returned.
Species Observed
- 71 Cackling Goose
- 12 Canada Goose
- 1 Common Merganser
- 1 Eurasian Collared-Dove
- 1 Red Phalarope
- 19 Red-necked Phalarope
- 2 Parasitic Jaeger
- 1 Pomarine Jaeger
- 914 Rhinoceros Auklet
- 4 Tufted Puffin
- 3 Cassin’s Auklet
- 3 Marbled Murrelet
- 330 Common Murre
- 2 Sabine’s Gull
- 15 Bonaparte’s Gull
- 330 Short-billed Gull
- 3 American Herring Gull
- 176 California Gull
- 234 Glaucous-winged Gull
- 1 Arctic Tern
- 2 Red-necked Grebe
- 4 Western Grebe
- 1 Pacific Loon
- 39 Black-footed Albatross
- 13 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
- 19 Northern Fulmar
- 48 Pink-footed Shearwater
- 1 Buller’s Shearwater
- 48 Sooty Shearwater
- 11 Short-tailed Shearwater
- 8 Brandt’s Cormorant
- 20 Pelagic Cormorant
- 1 Turkey Vulture
- 8 Bald Eagle
- 5 Belted Kingfisher
- 1 Steller’s Jay
- 38 American Crow
- 1 Common Raven
- 35 European Starling
Additional taxa
- 3 duck sp.
- 4 Red/Red-necked Phalarope
- 1 shorebird sp.
- 2 jaeger sp.
- 52 gull sp.
- 729 Sooty/Short-tailed Shearwater
- 92 cormorant sp.
Departs at 7:30 am
8 to 10 Hour Tour
Scheduled public tours
June 8 and 22
*** a minimum of six passengers are required to run this trip ***
Adult (15 and older): $525
Private Charter: $4725
Enjoy peace of mind with our all-inclusive tour prices! No additional fees or surprise surcharges at checkout—just a mandatory 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST).
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Port Hardy Whale Watching and Sea Otter Viewing Tours
We are located in Port Hardy at the north end of Vancouver Island.
Whales and landscapes! It’s getting to be about that time where you should be thinking about booking your experiences on the north Island. Check out our website to find different options on how you can get out on the water with us! #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorthisland #wildlifeplanet #indigenousbc #explorebc
The Humpback we call Celly spotted in the territory this past season. Humpback whales have made leaps towards reestablishing their presence in our traditional areas. The connection to these gentle giants have been made for millennia and we are grateful to keep this going! #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #humpbackwhale 🐋 #gonorthisland #indigenousbc #indigenoustourism
Otters, whales, and wolves. Oh my!
Gift certificates are available on our website. Link in bio.
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#whalewatching #seaotter #orca #humpbackwhale #wolf #puffin #wildlife #gonorthisland #indigenousbc
Photography Tours in the Great Bear Rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. This remote, lush region offers opportunities to capture stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and cultural stories. With its ancient cedars, mist-shrouded fjords, and glassy waters, every frame tells a story of untouched wilderness. Photography tours often focus on intimate encounters with humpback whales, orcas, grizzly bears, and coastal wolves, providing visitors with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to document these moments.
On a boat-based tour, the interplay of light and water often creates breathtaking compositions as humpbacks breach against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains or glide through calm seas. The silence and serenity of the rainforest amplify the beauty, enabling photographers to connect deeply with the environment.
These experiences aren’t just about capturing images—they’re about fostering a profound appreciation for this unique ecosystem. For many, these tours are transformative, as they combine the thrill of wildlife encounters with a growing understanding of the importance of conservation and stewardship of these precious lands and waters.
With skilled guides, such as those at Sea Wolf Adventures and Coastal Rainforest Safaris, guests not only leave with unforgettable photographs but also with a deeper connection to the natural and cultural heritage of the Great Bear Rainforest. #seawolfadventures #coastalrainforestsafaris #gonorthisland #explorebc #explorecanada #indigenousbc #goindigenous
It’s as simple as this: The overall impression is one of peace and tranquility, capturing a moment of serenity in the otter’s natural habitat! #seaotter #cuteness #otter #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #gonorthisland #vancouverisland #vancouverislandwildlife #indigenousbc #explorebc #explorecanada
The orca, known as max̱’inux̱w in the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw language, holds a profound place in the culture and traditions of the Kwakwaka’wakw people of the Pacific Northwest. Revered as protectors of the ocean and messengers between realms, orcas are seen as kin to humans, embodying power, unity, and family bonds. Their graceful movements through the waters of the Great Bear Rainforest are a reminder of the interconnectedness between people, land, and sea. For the Kwakwaka’wakw, orcas are not just creatures of the ocean—they are ancestors and teachers, inspiring stories, songs, and art that continue to celebrate their significance. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorth #gonorthisland #explorebc #indigenousbc #goindigenous #orca
Bald eagles are significant to the Kwakwaka’wakw people, symbolizing strength, leadership, and connection to the spiritual world. These majestic birds, with their striking white heads and powerful presence, are common in the Great Bear Rainforest. They are often depicted in Kwakwaka’wakw art and stories, embodying wisdom and respect for the natural world. Bald eagles play an essential role in the ecosystem, hunting fish and scavenging, and are viewed as vital to the balance of life in the territory. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #gonorthisland #vancouverislandlife
We are incredibly grateful for all of our friends and allies, both locally and from around the world, who supported us throughout this season. Sharing our traditional territories and the abundant wildlife that calls it home has been an honor. This year, we had the privilege of connecting with people from all walks of life, building lasting bonds while showcasing the beauty and significance of our land and waters. It was also a year of growth, as we focused on building capacity through training and empowering our local Indigenous community members. As we look back on this successful season, we reflect on the many memorable moments and look forward to continuing this journey together. Here are a few pictures that capture the spirit and adventure of this remarkable year and past years!
Humpback whales are a spectacular sight along the northern coast of Vancouver Island, where they are often seen feeding and breaching in the nutrient-rich waters. These majestic giants migrate to the region during the summer and fall months, drawn by the abundance of small fish and krill. Known for their acrobatic displays and distinctive tail flukes, humpbacks play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. Their presence in these waters is a testament to the rich biodiversity of the area, offering visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the lives of one of the ocean’s most charismatic creatures. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorthisland #explorebc #indigenousbc
Our beautiful scenery on the North Island is a testament to the deep connection and stewardship of the local First Nations. Each landscape tells a story, and our tours offer a unique opportunity to experience these landscapes through our paradigm. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #explorebc #explorecanada 📸 @westcoastlife
Living and working in rainforesty territory! The biodiversity of our area is beautiful that deserves our love and attention! If we look after the land and waters; the land and waters will look after us. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #rainforests #biodiversity
It’s going to be humpback city pretty soon; there’s already been amazing sightings! Looking forward to hosting you all this season. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorthisland #explorebc #explorecanada #humpbackwhales #humpbackwhale 📸 @taylormichaelburk