Northern Strait of Georgia (Salish sea)

The rich waters off eastern Vancouver Island are teeming with marine wildlife.

Starting in March with the herring spawn, Steller & California sea lions move into the area around Comox, Hornby, & Denman island, in the thousands; it is quite the sight to see. Transient killer whales (also known as the Biggs Orca), follow this food source into these areas in March as well, feeding aggressively on these large marine mammals.

These transient orcas, along with the resident orca whales, move up and down the Salish Sea to feed all through the spring and summer; sometimes even taking trips out to the west coast of the island to find food.
In the late spring, the humpback whales return from their long migration spent in Mexico/ Hawaii, to feed on the herring and krill in our waters.

Over the past decade, their population has made an incredible comeback and are almost always a daily sight in the waters off Comox in summer months.

Harbor porpoises and pacific white-sided dolphins are abundant in the area, found more often in amongst the waters of the Discovery Islands off Campbell River.

Gray and minke whales are a rarer sight in these areas but sightings are not unheard of; these are generally 3-hour trips departing mid-morning or early afternoon from Comox, French Creek or Campbell River. Trips are offered March through October; peak season is May through September.