Grizzly bear carrying a salmon across the river in Toba Inlet

Exploring the Interconnectedness of British Columbia’s Coastal Ecosystem

The coastal ecosystem of British Columbia (B.C.) is a complex web of ecological dependencies between grizzly bears, Pacific salmon, and a multitude of other species. At the heart of this complex web lies the Pacific salmon, often referred to as a keystone species due to their influence on both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Pacific Salmon: Transferring Nutrients between Sea to the Rain Forests Pacific salmon,… Read more »

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Categories: Grizzly Bears, Sustainability, Wildlife
A red Zodiac with guests, looking out for whales

Inspired by the Sea: My Journey into Marine Tourism

The ocean—a vast, ever-changing expanse that holds countless mysteries, stories, and supports all life on this planet. From the tiniest plankton to the largest mammals on earth, the ocean is home to endless wonders, many of which remain undiscovered.  I was lucky enough to be born on a small island off the southern coast of British Columbia, and some of my earliest memories revolve around… Read more »

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Categories: Boats, Whales, Wildlife
a grizzly bear walking on a log to cross a river

Where Salmon Lead, Grizzlies Follow: An Autumn Adventure from Campbell River, BC

As the boat rounds the southern tip of Quadra Island, a familiar sense of wonder washes over me. The crisp autumn air, mingled with the sharp, salty sea breeze, stings my nostrils as I breathe in deeply. Small pockets of water bubble around the boat, pushed to the surface by the powerful ocean currents working tirelessly beneath. The Coast Mountain range emerges in the distance,… Read more »

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Categories: Places, Recommendations, Wildlife
A group of kids and parents standing in front of a beach, showcasing all the garbage they collected during a beach clean up

2024 Sustainability Year in Review: Our Journey to a Greener Future

As 2024 draws to a close, we are proud to celebrate a year of significant milestones and progress in sustainability. From earning new certifications to supporting vital community initiatives, we remain committed to creating positive change for our guests, the environment, and the local community. Pioneering Inclusivity: Becoming Rainbow Registered We are thrilled to announce that Campbell River Whale Watching & Adventure Tours is the… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability, Uncategorized
progress pride flag on a covered boat

Make Campbell River Your Next 2SLGBTQIA+ Friendly Getaway

We’re thrilled to announce that Campbell River Whale Watching & Adventure Tours has become the first whale-watching company in Canada to earn the prestigious Rainbow Registered accreditation. Awarded by the Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), this honor reflects our dedication to creating an inclusive environment where all guests, staff, and community members feel welcome and respected. Setting a New Standard for Inclusive Tourism At… Read more »

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Categories: Places, Recommendations, Stuff To Do, Sustainability, Whales
A grizzly bear eating a slamon on a pebbly beach

Why October is the best time to visit Vancouver Island for Grizzly tours

With summer fading into fall, October brings crisp air and vibrant foliage to the Campbell River area on Vancouver Island. It is not only one of the most picturesque months of the year but also a prime time for grizzly bear watching. Here’s why you should consider visiting this stunning region in late fall: 1. Prime grizzly viewing opportunities October is not just the tail… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations, Stuff To Do, Wildlife
trap feeding

Five Humpback Whale Feeding Strategies

Humpback whales, known for their acrobatic displays, are equally fascinating for their diverse feeding strategies. They employ several methods to secure their daily sustenance of up to two thousand pounds of prey per whale. Campbell River serves as a crucial feeding ground for these whales, drawing them in abundance due to its rich marine resources during the summer months from May to November. Here’s a glimpse… Read more »

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Categories: Whales, Wildlife
two humpback whales are diving under the water. one whale is showing its fluke while the other is showing its fin and back

World Oceans Day 2024: Awakening New Depths with Campbell River Whale Watching

Written by Maddie Lemke The ocean, a vast expanse of wonder and life, faces challenges as deep as its waters. As stewards of this blue planet, it’s imperative that we do not allow the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” to guide our actions. Instead, we must awaken new depths of responsibility, understanding, and compassion towards our oceans. This year, on World Oceans Day… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability, Whales, Wildlife
Mossy Forest

How to Travel More Sustainably in 2024: Exploring Responsibly Around the Globe

By Maddie Lemke Sustainable travel is not just a trend but a responsibility we hold as global citizens. It involves making smart choices at every step of our journey, from booking transport and accommodation to supporting local businesses and minimizing our environmental footprint.  Whether you’re a seasoned eco-traveler or just getting started on your sustainable travel journey, these practical tips will help you explore the… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations, Sustainability
Pacific White Sided Dolphins

The Seasonal Guide to Whale, Wildlife and Bear Watching in Campbell River, Vancouver Island

Written by Maddie Lemke Wondering when to spot the best wildlife on our tours? It’s a common question, with answers as dynamic as the wildlife itself. “What kind of wildlife will I see?” or “What are the chances of seeing specific animals?” – the excitement lies in the unpredictability. Many species around Campbell River are migratory, making each season unique in its offerings. While it… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations, Whales, Wildlife

Big Little Fish: Forest Edition

Written by Zoe Hasenfratz A tiny silver streak in the water. It catches your eye, and you turn your head to investigate. As you look down into the depth of a jade sea, you notice that it isn’t just one streak but thousands of silver fish darting through the water forming a formidable bait ball. Herring. The tiny link in a very large food web. … Read more »

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Categories: Uncategorized

Photography Tips for Your Whale and Wildlife Watching Adventure

Words by Maddie Lemke 📸 Bluetree Photography in partnership with Destination Campbell River Encountering whales in the wild is a special experience. Taking photographs on your tour is a great way to enhance lasting memories. However, capturing photos of whales is easier said than done. The boat is constantly moving, being rocked by the waves, and wildlife disappears and reappears unpredictably.  In this comprehensive guide,… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations
breaching humpback whale

How Ethical is Whale Watching? A Guide to Finding a Responsible Tour Operator

Words by Maddie Lemke Whale watching has gained popularity as a captivating recreational activity, allowing people to observe these majestic marine mammals in their natural environment. Observing wildlife can have many positive impacts, but if not done responsibly, it may do more harm than good.  In this blogpost we want to give an overview of positive and negative impacts of whale watching and help you… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Whales, Wildlife

How to Make your Holiday Festivities More Ocean Friendly in 2023

Words by Maddie Lemke How to make your holiday festivities more ocean friendly in 2023 The holiday season is upon us, and it’s a time for celebration, spending time with loved ones, and giving back. At Campbell River Whale Watching, we’re not only passionate about marine mammals but also committed to preserving their environment. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to make… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations, Sustainability
Humpback Whale Breaching

Does Wildlife Put on a Show?

Words and Photos by Zoe Hasenfratz Picture this, you find yourself on a whale-watching tour. You are bobbing about on the water, having just discovered several humpback whales. Suddenly, you start to witness some acrobatic behavior: pectoral fins waving back and forth in the air, tails slapping the surface, and breaching. As you watch the whales propel themselves out of the water in what nearly… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability, Whales, Wildlife
large grizzly bear crossing river

A Trip to Bute Inlet

Written by photographer and guest blogger Kristian Gillies. Raindrops pelt the windscreen, their staccato rhythm creating a familiar percussion that welcomes the changing of seasons. The boat cuts through the water below, a symphony of rich green hues swirling in its wake. Inside the cabin, the mingling scent of sea salt tangles with the chatter of fellow adventurers. Each sentence carries a subtle undercurrent of… Read more »

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Categories: Boats, Places, Recommendations, Whales, Wildlife
The fluke of a humpback whale showing as the whale dives into the ocean in front of Vancouver Island

Whales and Climate Change: The Whale Pump Explained

Written by Maddie Lemke Whales are not only magical creatures, but also play a vital role in the health of our planet. As we struggle with the effects of climate change, it is crucial to understand the significant contributions whales make in mitigating its impact. One such fascinating phenomenon is the “whale pump”, a process that showcases how (baleen) whales help sequester carbon dioxide and… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability, Uncategorized, Wildlife
pacific white-sided dolphins swimming in the ocean

World Ocean Day 2023: How We Can Save Our Oceans

Written by Maddie Lemke Oceans cover 71 % of the planet and are home to important species and ecosystems that we rely on for food, livelihoods, climate regulation and more. But our oceans are facing a lot of challenges these days, with a lot of species and ecosystems being at risk. Most of those challenges are impacted by human actions including overfishing, plastic pollution, as… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability, Uncategorized
a boat with people on it traveling through the water

Introducing the Tenacious III

Have you seen our newest addition to the fleet, the Tenacious III? This past season was our first in operation since bringing Discovery Marine Safaris under the Campbell River Whale Watching umbrella and with it, their flagship vessel the Tenacious III. Here are 10 Facts about the Tenacious III 1) She is 42’ or 12.8 m long 2) We can accommodate 30 guests onboard 3)… Read more »

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Categories: Boats
scenic image of ocean in the foreground and mountains in the background

Sustainability Goals Update

Setting goals around our sustainability is an important part of our business, and how we ensure we are continuing to do better! We set the following goals for ourself at the start of 2021, and have made some significant strides towards reaching them. 1)    To eliminate single use plastics by 2022 We are very proud to say that we have accomplished this goal! Back… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability
Trail Marker on a tree

Quadra Island Hikes

Have you been looking for a new spot to get outside and explore? Since the COVID pandemic began, many of us have been taking advantage of the many AMAZING trails on Vancouver Island, but have you headed over to Quadra Island yet? Quadra Island is home to some beautiful hikes, ranging from beginner to advanced. Our resident Quadra experts, WildCoast Adventures did a great job… Read more »

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Categories: Stuff To Do
Tree covered hillside with fog and mist in the trees

Wild Weather – How we Address Adverse Weather Conditions

You’ve been planning your dream trip for months, eagerly awaiting the day you finally get to head out on the water for a chance to see humpback whales and orca and all the amazing wildlife our area is home to. We know the feeling, we still feel this way every single day! But, there is one big variable that can have a pretty major impact… Read more »

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Categories: Boats, Whales
Assortment of Christmas Gifts

5 Ways to Have a More Sustainable Christmas!

1) Shop and Support Local Businesses This year more than ever independent small businesses need our support. Buying from small shops helps families in your community in a meaningful and direct way. We know that for many of us, money is tight this year, but there are ways to support your local businesses without spending a dollar. Promote them on social media! Like and share… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations, Sustainability
Looking down on large forest with river through the middle

Gift Ideas for Nature Lovers

    It’s not uncommon to have somebody in your life that is impossible to shop for.  What do you get someone that already has everything?  Look no further: we’ve put together a list to make your life easier! Check out these unique and environmentally friendly ideas!   Gift a piece of Old Growth Forest Who doesn’t want to own a piece of land? Donate… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations, Sustainability
Drawing of a whale tale that says Reading is a Whale of a Time

Whale-y Great Book Recommendations

  I’ve been a big reader for as long as I can remember. While I love a variety of genres, I’ve slowly been incorporating more non-fiction into my life. There’s something special about reading about a topic that’s close to your heart and it’s satisfying to have what you already know be validated! I won’t ever claim to be a whale expert, but these are… Read more »

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Categories: Recommendations
Grizzly Bear charging through river

Facts About Grizzly Bears

  Grizzly Bears are one of the most intelligent animals in the world. They have distinct behaviors that set them apart from other bears and can be found near or in rivers searching for salmon. September 1st marks the official start of our Grizzly Bear tours for 2020!  This season we have partnered with Klahoose Coastal Adventures to view bears at the Klite River in… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Red Float House seen through window of whale watching boat

Everyday Wildlife in Campbell River

    Living in Campbell River has a number of different perks – the biggest one is that we don’t have to travel very far to see different types of wildlife!  We’re so lucky to be surrounded by greenery that animals are attracted to!    It’s not uncommon for locals to have a black bear or two in their backyard when their pear and apple… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Mountain range in the distance with ocean in the foreground. The clouds in the sky are making a solid line above the moutain tops.

Popular Rest Stops / Points of Interest

    Our tours are not only about viewing wildlife ethically and sustainably, but also about enriching our guests with the history of all of the cool places that surround us!  From the Discovery Islands to the different inlets, we are so lucky and privileged to have so many fascinating points of interest to share with you! Seeing these different areas ultimately depends on which… Read more »

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Categories: Places
Dolphin Leaping right out of the water

10 Facts about Pacific White-Sided Dolphins

  Dolphins bring out a child-like wonder in anyone that is lucky enough to see them out in the wild! In our area, we have Pacific White-Sided Dolphins.  They are playful, acrobatic mammals and can be the highlight of any tour!  Here are some facts that you may not know about them:   1.  There is currently no population estimate for how many Pacific White-Sided Dolphins… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Covered Whale Watching Vessel with guests on board

Introducing Our New Boat!

  Have you heard our great news? We have a new covered boat!     Check out our 12-passenger Eagle Craft with an outdoor seating area!  It was originally built in 1994 by Daigle Marine as a tour boat for a wealthy private island owner near Victoria. After that, the vessel lived most of its life moving crews in and out of logging camps along… Read more »

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Categories: Boats
Group of sealions lounging on the rocks

10 Facts about Steller Sea Lions

  We have the pleasure of seeing a number of different marine mammals on our tours.  While we live in an area that has an abundance of Humpback Whale and Transient Orca sightings, we also get to see a vast number of sea lions and seals!  One specific species that we encounter often are Steller Sea Lions.   1. Steller sea lions are golden brown… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Landscape of ocean and land in the Distance. The sky is blue with clouds in the disance

We’re Open! – Business Operations Update

    Our doors are officially open, and we’re thrilled to get back on the water and provide our guests with the experience of a lifetime!   As of July 1st, we are running an assortment of daily tours on our zodiac and covered vessels: 3 hour Whale and Wildlife Evening Tour 4 hour Whale and Wildlife Tour 4 hour Ocean Rapids Tour (tide dependent)… Read more »

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Categories: Uncategorized
Hand Half Painted Green holding a green leaf

Small Changes That Will Help Save the Planet

  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead   Trying to make a difference is a daunting task. It may seem like nothing you can do would matter.  However, implementing small changes actually helps things in the long run!  It takes thousands of small changes for… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability
Dalls Porpoise splashing through the water

Types of Porpoise

  Porpoise are small-toothed whales that are closely related to dolphins.  They can be differentiated by their teeth, which are spade-shaped opposed to cone-shaped, their dorsal fins, which are triangular, and their beaks, which are less elongated.  While there are said to be 32 different dolphin species in the world, there are only 6 different types of porpoises!  In the Campbell River area, we are… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Waves from boat driving away on flat calm water. The sun is shining on the water

Business Operations Update – COVID -19

  To our Valued Community, Amidst all of the news of COVID-19, we would like to take a moment to address how we are handling this ever-changing situation. The well-being of our employees and customers is of the utmost importance to us. While Campbell River continues to be a SAFE travel destination, we are erring on the side of caution and opting to take this time to… Read more »

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Categories: Uncategorized
Grizzly bear on the shore, with a water fall in the back ground reads" Brand New: Spring Bear and Waterfall Tour"

Exciting new tour!

  Spring is in the air and we are excited to announce our brand-new tour! Two things that we love about spring are that we spot Bears that have just come out of torpor which is a lighter form of hibernation, and we get to see beautiful flowing waterfalls from the winters melting ice! Our Spring Bear and Waterfall tour will be the perfect tour… Read more »

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Categories: Stuff To Do
Landscape of Mountains and small islands in front

Favourite Winter Activities on Vancouver Island

  Have you found yourself on Vancouver Island after all of the whale watching tours have closed up for the season?  Or are you just looking for new things to do? Have no fear! There are a ton of activities to do on Vancouver Island that will make your adventurous heart happy! Charter a boat We are able to run tours year round!  If you’re… Read more »

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Categories: Stuff To Do
Lit Christmas tree in the middle of a snowy forest

A Greener Christmas

  Christmas is a time of happiness and joy for most people – spending time with family, enjoying beautiful decorations, and giving gifts.  We love the holidays but the holiday season seems to wreak havoc on the environment! To give you an idea, in Canada alone, over 500,000 tons of Christmas wrapping paper goes to the landfill.  Don’t let this get you down! There are… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability
Wet Grizzly Bear

October may be the best time for Grizzly viewing!

Grizzlies are magnificent animals and if you have the opportunity to see them in the wild, you should definitely take it. You’ll be talking about it for years to come! The most common question we get regarding the Grizzly Bear Tour is, “when is the best time to go?”.  Typically, we are able to see Grizzlies along the river systems from the middle of August until the… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Rocky Mountain with hills in front

Unique Outdoor Activities to Add to Your Travel Bucket List

  Hiking is a great way to explore your surroundings, but what if you’re looking to do something different? There’s a lot of breathtaking and lush wildlife all around us, and the best way to discover it is to go out on an adventure. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of sights for you to explore — whether you prefer the energy of the ocean, or the… Read more »

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Categories: Stuff To Do
Dead Fish laying in the sand

The Importance of Salmon

  Salmon are one of the most iconic species of British Columbia for so many different reasons. Ultimately, they feed our animals, our people, and our forests.  There are seven species of salmon in the Pacific: Chinook (or Spring), Coho, Sockeye, Chum, Pink, Cutthroat Trout, and Steelhead Trout. Salmon are born from eggs in a river and as they mature, they head to the ocean…. Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Humpback Whale Breaching seen on Whale Watching Tour

10 Facts about Humpback Whales

  Humpback whales are baleen whales that have been making a strong comeback to our area since 2004. These gentle giants are frequently sighted on our tours, but many people don’t know anything about them!   1. Humpback whale’s pectoral fins are the longest appendages in the entire animal kingdom at up to 16 feet (1/3 length of their entire bodies).   2. Female humpback whales… Read more »

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Categories: Whales
Large pod of Orca swimming in calm water

10 Facts about Killer Whales

  Orcas are well-known for being exceptional predators and are often featured in mainstream media.  While these “ocean pandas” are truly remarkable mammals, there are a lot of misconceptions and unknown facts about them! 1. Despite being known as “killer whales”, Orca are the biggest members of the dolphin family. 2. We see 3 main ecotypes of Orca that differ in diet, appearance, and vocalizations:… Read more »

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Categories: Whales
Rocky Reef in the ocean with hills in the background.

Favourite Summer Activities on Vancouver Island

  Vancouver Island might be small, but it’s packed full of endless and amazing summer activities. Working in tourism, we can’t count how many times a day we get asked what the best thing to do on the island is. It can be very overwhelming trying to plan the perfect vacation and deciding which activities are the most worth while – especially when you are… Read more »

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Categories: Stuff To Do
Black Bear Sitting on the rocky shore

How to Tell Grizzly Bears and Black Bears Apart

  In North America, many people find it difficult to tell the difference between grizzly bears and black bears.  While you may think that their colouring is an obvious difference, it can often be very misleading – especially when you’re face-to-face with a bear!  So what are the telltale signs that differentiate these two animals?   Hump Grizzlies notably have a bigger shoulder hump between… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
Group of Seals on the beach

12 Facts About Harbor Seals

   Harbor seals are so common in our area that they’re often overlooked by locals.  It isn’t until we hear and see visitors get excited about these mammals that we really stop and think about how amazing they are.  Here are some facts about these creatures that you may not know: 1. Their hearing is 14x better while underwater than a human’s 2. What can… Read more »

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Categories: Wildlife
White Car Traveling Near Trees during Daytime

Sustainable Travel Tips

  More often than not, we seem to think that being “eco-friendly” or “going green” is more difficult than the reality. Many companies, including ourselves, have been dedicating themselves to sustainable travel, which has become more and more appealing to tourists around the globe. In fact, eco-friendly tourism has been gaining more traction over the last few years than ever before. By checking into the… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability
Two Humpabck Whale Tails

52 Different Humpbacks

  Every year, we are noticing more and more Humpback whales in the Campbell River area.  In the 2018 season, Sarah Hauser, one of our extraordinary guides, was able to document and ID 52 different Humpbacks with the help of Jackie Hildering and MERS.  You may be wondering how we are able to identify Humpback whales. If you take a close look at the photos, you can see… Read more »

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Categories: Whales
Stephen Gabrysh and Tyler Bruce next to one of our Zodiac vessels

We’re Officially Carbon Neutral!!

CAMPBELL RIVER – Whale Watching companies provide a unique opportunity to bring the public to the wonders of the marine environment. Yet, we feel that it is our responsibility to acknowledge and mitigate the impact that our vessels have. In 2018, we spent a grand combined total of over 3850 hours on the water. We have always been aware of and concerned about our fuel… Read more »

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Categories: Sustainability
Breaching Humpback Whale

An Influx Of Humpbacks

In the Summer alone, we can expect to see 10 to 20 Humpbacks feeding between Powell River and Kelsey Bay each day.

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Categories: Whales