Viewing Wildlife on Vancouver Island


Sidney Spit Provincial Marine Park . . . fallow deer, herons, eagles and seabirds. Best months for viewing are June, July, August and September. Access the site by ferry, boat and canoe, or walk in.

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary . . . waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds and others can be seen all year around. Access the site on paved road.

Goldstream Provincial Park . . . salmon spawning area, songbirds and shorebirds. View salmon spawning during October and November, enjoy bird watching year round. Access is by paved road.

Bellhouse Provincial Park / Active Pass . . . sea lions, killer whales, seabirds and eagles. Year round viewing, killer whale viewing best during June, July, August and September. Access the area by ferry and paved road.

Somenos Marsh . . . songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl. Year round viewing, shorebird viewing best in April and May. Access on paved road.

Click a number on the map for an enlarged view.

Nanaimo Harbour . . . seabirds, eagles and sea lions. Best months for viewing are December, January, February, March and April. Access by paved road and boat.

Pacific Rim National Park . . . intertidal fauna, shorebirds and gray whales. Viewing intertidal pools is year round, shorebird viewing best during May and June, whale watching best in March, April and May. Access on paved roads.

Parksville/Qualicum . . . waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds, raptors and black brant geese. Year round bird viewing, black brant viewing best during March, April and May. Access on paved roads.

Stamp Falls Provincial Park . . . salmon spawning, black-tailed deer, waterfowl and shorebirds. Salmon spawning best viewing during July, August, September, and October. Access on paved road.

Mitlenatch Island Provincial Park . . . oystercatchers, cormorants and a large gull colony. Best viewing during June, July, August and September. Access by boat.

Strathcona Provincial Park . . . elk, trumpeter swans, beavers, deer and black bear. Best viewing during December, January, February, March and April. Access by paved and secondary roads.

Blackfish Sound/Johnstone Strait . . . eagles, cormorants, gulls, harbour seals, porpoises and killer whales. Best viewing during June, July, August and September. Access by boat

The following BC Adventure Members offer services to visitors of this area:

A. Rippingale’s Fishing - Join us on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, and the sheltered waters of Campbell River, for the ultimate salmon fishing adventure -- a family tradition since 1957. You’ll enjoy consistently good fishing and plenty of salmon and seafood, without the crowds.

Backcountry Lodges of BC Assoc. - Discover the untouched wilderness, untapped supply of powder, and wide range of world-famous backcountry mountain lodges. Our large membership of backcountry lodges means that you are guaranteed to find one to fit your needs, schedule, and budget.

Blackfish Lodge - Steelhead, salmon, trout, and halibut - experience superb flyfishing, spinning, and legendary saltwater salmon and bottom fish angling – plus stunning wilderness, abundant wildlife, & warm hospitality. Ask about exclusive lodge use for groups of 4 – 6.

Canadian Princess (Oak Bay Marine Group) - Our resort in Ucluelet near Tofino and Long Beach on Vancouver Island, offers the best fishing value. Enjoy warm hospitality & comfortable accommodations during your fishing or marine eco-adventure stay. Fill your boat with friends, fish, and friendly competition.

Chinootka Lodge - Fish for Trophy Chinook, Coho, Halibut, Lingcod, Snapper on Vancouver Island. Bring your boat or hire a professionally guided 23 - 26 ft. Grady White. There’s accommodation and meals for up to 20 at our unique floating lodge on the inside waters of Nootka Sound.

Coast Mountain Expeditions - Join us for sea kayaking adventures in BC's spectacular coastal wilderness. Mountain vistas, rainforest islands and a gentle ocean make the Discovery Islands a sea kayakers' paradise. Enjoy island ambience and memorable meals at our waterfront kayak lodge. Learn paddling skills, explore nature's awesome beauty, & take home a superb sea kayaking experience!

Coastal Spirits Expeditions and Lodge - Kayak with the Orcas from our spectacular ocean front base camp, beside the famous Orca reserve & rubbing beaches. We also feature kayak camping tours including Discovery Islands & Desolation Sound. There’s also lodging, lodge based trips, and day tours.

Cordero Lodge - We’re in BC’s world-renowned salmon fishing grounds. Here you’ll find great scenery, salmon or bottom fishing, crabbing, prawning, hiking and remote river trout fishing. Enjoy the wildlife, good German cooking and great German speaking hosts!

Destiny River Adventures - From thrilling whitewater rafting, to serene scenic river floats, we offer professional river rafting tours, along with snorkeling with thousands of returning salmon for all ages. Our focus is on the wilderness, wildlife and personal discovery -- and our attention to detail will make the memories of your rafting trip with us unforgettable. Don’t just imagine it; experience it, with Destiny River Adventures!

Eagle Nook Ocean Wilderness Resort - Once discovered, never forgotten - Eagle Nook Wilderness Resort & Spa welcomes you to a world of difference where you will find cozy rooms and natural log cabins, all with water view, great food and the ultimate eco-adventure experience. Air or sea, are the only access to this pristine paradise. Heli-venturing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, marine wildlife.

Ecosummer Expeditions - BC’s first kayaking company offers award-winning trips to the Queen Charlotte & Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait, & West Coast Trail. We guarantee world-class scenery, some of the world’s finest Orca whale and bear watching, & an absolute commitment to service.

Great Pacific Adventures - Welcome to Great Pacific Adventures, offering whale-watching tours from the spectacular Inner Harbour of Victoria, BC. Locally owned and operated our family of certified outdoor specialist will provide you with an insightful and exciting adventure of a lifetime!

Long Beach Lodge Resort - Our luxurious beachfront lodge & forest cottages are located between the spectacular pristine beauty of Pacific Rim National Park & Clayoquot Sound. First-class amenities & service in a relaxed setting make a perfect, serene retreat from everyday responsibilities.

Mills Landing Cottages and Charters - Our private oceanfront cottage resort in Bamfield on the West Coast of Vancouver Island is paradise. We offer cozy cottages and guided salmon & halibut fishing charters - some of the West Coast's best fishing! Hike the West Coast Trail or explore Pacific Rim National Park.

Mothership Adventures - Join us for a luxury, multiday, sea kayaking experience using the elegant mothership, “Columbia III” as our travelling home. We’ll kayak through pristine, coastal wilderness, paddling glacier-fed waters amongst lushly forested islands while observing abundant wildlife including orca killer whales, dolphins, bears, and wolves. Evenings are spent enjoying gourmet food, conversation, laughter and relaxation in comfort and safety.

Oak Bay Marine Group - Enjoy the finest world-class BC saltwater fishing adventures with Oak Bay Marine Group. Our seven fabulous resorts throughout coastal BC provide a fishing adventure for everyone! Salmon, halibut and bottom fish, we’ve got it all for people who love to fish.

Ole's Westcoast Adventures - There’s world-class trophy fishing for Chinook and Coho, Halibut, Red Snapper and Ling Cod in the waters of Hakai Pass. Our all-inclusive fly-in packages & accommodations offer exceptional value for individuals or groups, carefree days & the adventure of a lifetime.

Orca Spirit Adventures - We experience the longest season & most active whales & marine mammals in BC! Focused on conservation, environmental safety, education, family fun, and exhilaration, we own the operation which locates the whales; giving us the highest success rate.

Pacific Outback Resort - Join us on Hanson Island, with Blackfish Sound to the north and Johnstone Strait to the south, and where the Queen Charlotte strait necks down to the Strait of Georgia. There’s great fishing with all 5 species of salmon, and great wildlife viewing so bring your camera.

Painters Lodge - Located in Campbell River, the Salmon Capital of the World, we set the standard for all other saltwater fishing resorts. Enjoy Sportfishing, the excitement of a wildlife adventure or whale watching trip. Lounge by the pool, or enjoy a meal in the restaurant or pub.

Powell River Sea Kayak Ltd - Discover amazing marine wildlife with the premier Sea Kayak company for Desolation Sound! Discover why Jacques Cousteau considered this one of the best dive locations in the world. Paddle and snorkel over Giant Sunflower Stars, Orange Sea Cucumbers and Spiny Red Urchins. Over 10 years operating day and multi-day tours. Rental kayaks available from our Lund and Okeover Inlet locations.

Red's Charters - Welcome to Red’s Fishing Charters… Located in Tahsis British Columbia. With over 25 years of experience fishing the West Coast of Vancouver Island, your guide Dave Wills is pleased to provide you with some of the best Salmon Fishing in the area.

Sailcone Wilderness Fishing - We’ve been providing unparalleled fly-in Salmon, Halibut and Steelhead adventures, in 2 productive areas, for 30 years. Our lodge provides a comfortable, intimate and relaxing atmosphere, so let us fulfill your wildest fishing, and wildlife adventure.

Seasmoke Whale Watching - There’s no other whale watching tours quite like ours! Sail with the Whales and Motor Cruise in Johnstone Strait, a pristine area with some of the world’s best whale watching. Feel alive and in the wild with all things natural on our unique and awe-inspiring tours.

Silver King Lodge - Our fishing charter and lodge operation is on the inside passage to the Alaska King Salmon and in the path of Salmon returning to over 30 river systems. You’ll appreciate the great vacation accommodations for fishing, bear, bird, and whale watching, or for eco tours.

Six Gill Adventure Tours - Our family owned company provides a safe, high quality, low impact outdoor experience for visitors, families, & groups. Exciting marine adventures include half-day tours in the Strait of Georgia, to a full day tour in Barkley Sound, Northern Islands and Inlets of the Strait of Georgia. Our experienced tour guides do all they can to create a lifetime memory.

Spirit of the West Adventures - We offer sea kayaking tours to the Johnstone Strait & the largest pods of killer whales on the BC coast – Desolation Sound, Quadra Island, & Campbell River - & guided excursions to explore ancient native villages. Set a course for a one of a kind wilderness adventure.

Starfish Charters - The Salmon and Halibut fishing in Port Hardy, near the coast island wilderness, rivals all the best west coast locations. Join us at Starfish Charters & see what kind of fun we can have & the wildlife we’ll see including bears on the beaches, Orca, sea lions, & bald eagles.

Stubbs-Island Whale Watching - Cruise the protected waters of Johnstone Strait & Blackfish Archipelago on the NE coast of Vancouver Island, one of the most accessible & predictable location to see Orca (killer) Whales in the world. We are dedicated to responsible wildlife viewing with educational merit.

The Island Adventure Centre - Join us for orca whale watching, grizzly adventures, salmon saltwater fishing, wildlife & tidal rapids tours, kayak trips, rentals, and lake rentals … The Island Adventure Centre has it all we’re easy to get to but hard to leave. There’s always more to do & see!

The Lodge Tahsis Harbour - We’ll see you at our full service lodge located in Tahsis at the head of the fjord-like Tahsis Inlet. This is home to world-famous saltwater fishing, beauty, history, and great recreation opportunities. Visit and enjoy the great hospitality of our oceanfront lodge.

Tofino Ospray Lodge - Since 1987 Tofino Bed & Breakfast & Clayoquot Fishing Charters has provided quality guided sportfishing adventures in the Westcoast Vancouver area of Tofino / Clayoquot Sound. Enjoy unparalleled angling experience & breathtaking scenery you can drive to.

Weigh West Marine Resort - World renowned for guided charter fishing and saltwater fishing, we also provide land and sea activities including whale watching, sea kayaking, beach combing, adventure packages and more. Pacific Rim Park and Clayoquot Sound, are right on our doorstep.

Westwind Tugboat Adventures - North America’s original tugboat adventure. Enjoy wilderness fishing for trophy salmon and halibut plus Luxury cruising on the beautiful "Inside Passage" of BC. Follow the Fish to Langara Island, Prince Rupert and Bella Bella regions. Only 8 & 12 guests.

Wickaninnish Inn - Near Pacific Rim National Park and Clayoquot Sound we provide panoramic ocean & beach views, fireplaces, soaker tubs, & balconies. Our spa offers the ultimate in relaxation, and there’s an oceanfront dining from our award winning culinary brigade.

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