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:

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

Eagle Wing Whale Watching: Guided Whale Watching Tours & Wildlife Viewing.Trip Advisor's top-rated whale-watching experience in Victoria since 2007. Killer whales, Grey, Minke and Humpback whales, seals, sea lions & porpoise. As industry leaders, they go the extra mile (or 50!) to give... more

Hot Pursuit Charters: Guided salmon and halibut fishing charters from Ucluelet, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Fish for trophy salmon and halibut. View otters, whales, eagles, sea lions, and bears. 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

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