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)
Our Sea Otter Viewing & Whale Watching Tours take you deep into the wild waters of Northern Vancouver Island, where every trip is a chance to witness nature at its most spectacular. From playful sea otters and breaching humpback whales to soaring bald eagles, sea lions, dolphins, and more, no two days on the water are ever the same. With expert guides, small groups, and custom-built boats designed for comfort, you`ll experience these incredible animals in the places they call home, all while learning about the ecosystems, wildlife, and rich tapestry of indigenous culture and history that make this coast so extraordinary. 📍Daily departures from Port Hardy 🕒 5.5 to 6 hour adventure 🍴 Lunch, drinks, and all gear included Click the link in our bio to learn more! Photos by @westcoastlife, @taylormichaelburk & @ianharlandphoto #HumpbackWhale #WhaleWatching #OceanLife #MarineLife #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #PacificOcean #Whales #OceanPhotography (Close-up images taken with a telephoto/zoom lens and cropped)
The ocean doesn`t perform on schedule. When it decides to show you something out here, you feel it in your chest before you even reach for your camera or binoculars.
Yesterday`s trip became one we will never forget. While on the water off northern Vancouver Island, we encountered a North Pacific right whale, one of the rarest whales on the planet. The encounter happened near the end of our scheduled tour, but every guest on board was eager to stay out longer for the experience, so we extended the trip and remained on the water. After the whale was spotted, we contacted Bay Cetology. Their researchers were able to get on scene, confirm the identification, and document the whale. For much of the encounter, the whale travelled slowly at the surface, showing its broad back, distinctive callosities, and lack of a dorsal fin. At times, it also spent time rolling in kelp at the surface — a remarkable behaviour to witness from a respectful distance. Encounters like this are rare beyond words. The eastern North Pacific population is estimated to number fewer than 50 animals, making this one of the rarest large whale populations on Earth. Each documented sighting helps researchers better understand where these whales travel and how they use these waters. According to a post by @themarinedetective "This is only the 7th known sighting [of a North Pacific Right Whale] since 1951". That is exactly why we are proud to be partnering with @baycetology for a special Bay Cetology Fundraising Trip on July 11 and 12, 2026. This two-day expedition will help support Bay Cetology’s work locating and documenting rarely seen cetaceans off northern Vancouver Island, including species such as sperm whales, beaked whales, fin whales, sei whales, blue whales, pelagic killer whales, and North Pacific right whales. A huge thank you to our guests for sharing today’s moment with patience, excitement, and respect, and to Bay Cetology for their rapid response and ongoing work to better understand and protect whales on this coast. Learn more about the Bay Cetology Fundraising Trip through the link in our bio. #northpacificrightwhale #rarewhales #whalewatching #marinewildlife 🌊 The whale was sighted in `Nakwaxda`xw First Nations territory 📷️ The photos were taken with a 600mm lens and cropped
