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

BC Vacation Providers in this area:

ROAM (Rivers Oceans and Mountains): Experience the most unique vacations with whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, whale watching, heli-hiking and multi-sport activities. We offer unprecedented access to pristine wilderness environments and places no other adventure companies dare to venture. more

ROAM (Rivers Oceans and Mountains): Experience the most unique vacations with whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, whale watching, heli-hiking and multi-sport activities. We offer unprecedented access to pristine wilderness environments and places no other adventure companies dare to venture. more

Ecosummer Expeditions: Have a whale of a time at Orca Camp! Sea kayak with Orcas and Humpback whales along BC's Johnstone Strait. Join an intimate group of travelers, paddling out on three, four, or six-day kayaking adventures with expert guides. more

ROAM (Rivers Oceans and Mountains): Experience the most unique vacations with whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, whale watching, heli-hiking and multi-sport activities. We offer unprecedented access to pristine wilderness environments and places no other adventure companies dare to venture. more

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. more

Blind Channel Resort: Unique BC Coastal Vacations, oceanfront cottages, fine dining, coastal tours, marina and store. A convenient destination for coastal mariners just three nautical miles off Johnstone Strait. more

Destiny River Adventures: We offer thrilling whitewater rafting, serene scenic river floats, & snorkeling with thousands of returning salmon. Our focus on the wilderness, wildlife, personal discovery, & attention to detail will create an unforgettable experience & memories! more

Eagle Wing Whale Watching: Bear witness to natures most awe inspiring creature – the Killer Whale. Our guided expeditions take you through 100’s of Islands in search of ‘Guaranteed’ Whales and other marine wildlife. Come discover a ‘treasure chest' of diverse marine wildlife on an Eagl... more

Ecosummer Expeditions: Have a whale of a time at Orca Camp! Sea kayak with Orcas and Humpback whales along BC's Johnstone Strait. Join an intimate group of travelers, paddling out on three, four, or six-day kayaking adventures with expert guides. more

Five Star Whale Watching: Discover the picturesque West Coast of Canada & Vancouver Island - home to the largest population of Killer Whales in the world. Natural wonders are abundant in this pristine marine environment covering Southern Vancouver Island, Victoria, & the Gulf Islands. more

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 ... more

Orca Dreams: Orca Dreams is located on a remote rainforest Island off northern Vancouver Island. Watch breaching humpback whales, orcas or dolphins pass by your tent while sipping on your morning coffee. more

Quarterdeck Inn and Marina Resort: Close to downtown & tourism services in Port Hardy, our full service 3 ˝ Star hotel features a marina & pub-style restaurant. We have a water taxi and can also arrange wilderness experiences including whale watching Eco-Tours, salmon fishing, storm watching,... more

ROAM (Rivers Oceans and Mountains): Experience the most unique vacations with whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, whale watching, heli-hiking and multi-sport activities. We offer unprecedented access to pristine wilderness environments and places no other adventure companies dare to venture. more

Sea Kayak Adventures: For 20 years we've offered sea kayak wilderness vacations for active outdoor-minded travelers -- a combination of fun, challenge and excitement. Join us to seek beautiful places to get away from it all, and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. more

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 a... more

Wildcoast Adventures: Kayak in killer whale territory at Wildcoast's Orca Base Camp in Johnstone Strait or sea kayak vacations in Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands. Escape, Explore, Discover! Spectacular scenery, scrumptious food and abundant wildlife. more

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. more

Blind Channel Resort: Unique BC Coastal Vacations, oceanfront cottages, fine dining, coastal tours, marina and store. A convenient destination for coastal mariners just three nautical miles off Johnstone Strait. more

Ecosummer Expeditions: Have a whale of a time at Orca Camp! Sea kayak with Orcas and Humpback whales along BC's Johnstone Strait. Join an intimate group of travelers, paddling out on three, four, or six-day kayaking adventures with expert guides. more

ROAM (Rivers Oceans and Mountains): Experience the most unique vacations with whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, whale watching, heli-hiking and multi-sport activities. We offer unprecedented access to pristine wilderness environments and places no other adventure companies dare to venture. more