Big Animal Encounters

Big Animal Encounters Whales, Bears and Diving. Exploring British Columbia's rugged coastline for 30 years! With locations in Campbell River, Comox and Courtenay!

Jump on board one of our covered, heated boats, or hold on tight for a wild ride aboard one of our high speed zodiacs. Our experienced crew will take you on an adventure in search of the big animals of British Columbia!

05/31/2026

Peak spring action is here on Vancouver Island—and it’s showing off.

🦅🐻🫍Our seasonal Eagle Show Tours aboard comfortable, covered vessels have launched into a strong start. This week we spotted over 200 bald eagles gathered and feeding on migrating hake, dozens of bears working the shoreline, plus unforgettable encounters with orca, dolphins, and humpback whales all in the same stretch of water.

This is the kind of coastal wildlife spectacle you don’t get on a schedule, it’s tied to the tides, the food, and the wild rhythm of the Pacific.

Next peak Eagle Show tide cycles are:
June 12, 13, 14, 15

If you’ve been waiting for the right window, this is it.

Tours operate with Big Animal Encounters aboard covered, comfortable vessels designed for viewing in all conditions while staying close to the action in the Discovery Islands and surrounding waters.

Spring is just getting started out there!
Book today at www.biganimalencounters.com

🌊🐋💙 ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY 💙🐋🌊Today, we celebrate the incredible wildlife of the BC coast, specifically the iconic South...
05/16/2026

🌊🐋💙 ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY 💙🐋🌊

Today, we celebrate the incredible wildlife of the BC coast, specifically the iconic Southern Resident Orcas. With only 73 individuals left in this population, witnessing them in the wild is a profound privilege.

Known as the "Guardians of the Salish Sea," these whales are as complex as they are majestic:

🐟 Diet: Unlike mammal-eating Transients, Southern Residents rely almost entirely on Chinook salmon.
👵 Family: They live in tight-knit groups led by grandmothers who share decades of hunting knowledge.
🗣️ Culture: Each pod has its own distinct dialect of calls unique to their family line.

At Big Animal Encounters, we prioritize conservation through ethical viewing:

✨ Distance: We maintain a respectful 400-meter buffer to protect their space and minimize noise.
✨ Experts: Our captains are "Be Whale Wise" certified, always putting the whales' well-being first.
✨ Education: Every tour is a chance to learn how we can all protect these species.
✨ Species: We avoid viewing of the Southern Resident Orca and instead focus on Transient Orca, Humpback Whales and other iconic species.

Join us this season to connect with the wild responsibly.

Experience the wonder at biganimalencounters.

🌊🐋 THE GIANTS ARE BACK 🐋🌊The first spouts of the season are here! Humpbacks are returning to the Salish Sea after their ...
05/13/2026

🌊🐋 THE GIANTS ARE BACK 🐋🌊

The first spouts of the season are here! Humpbacks are returning to the Salish Sea after their long migration from Hawaii and Mexico. These majestic giants are back in our backyard to feast in the nutrient-rich waters of the Discovery Islands.

QUICK FACTS:
🐋 Journey: They travel over 5,000 km: one of the longest migrations of any mammal!
✨ Unique ID: A whale’s fluke is like a fingerprint; no two patterns are the same.
🌊 Feeding: Witnessing "bubble-net feeding" is an awe-inspiring sight you won't forget.

We never grown tired of hearing that first powerful blow echo across the water. It’s a privilege to share these waters with them and we can't wait to welcome you aboard.

Join us on our comfortable, heated vessels to witness the magic yourself.

Book your adventure at biganimalencounters.com.

🦅🌊 THE GREATEST SHOW ON WINGS 🌊🦅Ever wondered why hundreds of bald eagles gather in the Discovery Islands every spring? ...
05/07/2026

🦅🌊 THE GREATEST SHOW ON WINGS 🌊🦅

Ever wondered why hundreds of bald eagles gather in the Discovery Islands every spring? It’s no coincidence: it’s one of nature’s most spectacular feeding frenzies!

From late May to early July, a unique underwater event creates a massive buffet for these majestic raptors:

🐟 THE HAKE RUN: Deep-water Pacific Hake move through the channels in massive schools.
🌊 TIDAL TURBULENCE: Powerful rapids like the Yuculta and Dent force these fish toward the surface.
🦅 THE FEAST: Trapped in the swirling whirlpools, the fish become an easy target for hundreds of hungry eagles.

It is truly awe-inspiring to witness dozens of eagles in the air at once, their wings whistling as they dive just meters from our boat.

✨ This seasonal phenomenon only lasts a few weeks each year.

Join us on one of our comfortable, covered vessels to experience this powerful display of nature firsthand. Our expert guides are ready to share the stories of these iconic coastal residents with you.

Have you ever seen a bald eagle dive for its dinner? Tell us about your favorite wildlife sighting in the comments!

Discover the magic: biganimalencounters.com

🌊🐋 30+ YEARS ON THE SALISH SEA 🐋🌊Since we started in 1994, the Salish Sea has changed in incredible ways. Thirty years o...
05/04/2026

🌊🐋 30+ YEARS ON THE SALISH SEA 🐋🌊

Since we started in 1994, the Salish Sea has changed in incredible ways. Thirty years on the water gives us a front-row seat to the resilience of our local marine life.

Here is what’s changed most since our first tour:

🐋 THE HUMPBACK COMEBACK
In the 90s, Humpbacks were a rare sight. Today, they’ve returned to their ancestral home in record numbers! Seeing these majestic giants is now a staple of our summer.

🧬 THE RISE OF THE BIGG’S
Formerly known as "Transients," these Orcas are now seen so often they feel like residents. A thriving ecosystem of seals and sea lions keeps these powerful hunters right in our backyard.

🚤 STEWARDSHIP FIRST
As wildlife populations grow, so does our duty. We’ve evolved our approach to prioritize responsible viewing, ensuring we remain stewards of these pristine waters.

The Salish Sea is more alive today than it was 30 years ago. It’s an honor to share this conservation success story with you. ✨

Join us this season! Book at biganimalencounters.com 🌊

🌊🐋🌊 FROM ALOHA TO THE SALISH SEA 🌊🐋🌊Our first Humpback "regulars" are checking in! After traveling over 5,000 km from th...
05/01/2026

🌊🐋🌊 FROM ALOHA TO THE SALISH SEA 🌊🐋🌊

Our first Humpback "regulars" are checking in! After traveling over 5,000 km from the warm waters of Hawaii and Mexico, these majestic giants are officially back in the Salish Sea.

There is a special kind of magic when our captains spot a familiar fluke for the first time each spring. It’s like seeing an old friend return home after a long journey.

A few incredible facts about our returning giants:

🐋 Unique Identification: The underside of a humpback’s tail (the fluke) is as unique as a human fingerprint, allowing us to identify individuals year after year.
🐋 Incredible Endurance: These whales migrate for months without eating, arriving in our nutrient-rich waters ready to feast and refuel.
🐋 Ecosystem Heroes: Their return is a powerful sign of a healthy marine environment and a meaningful conservation success story.

Witnessing these iconic creatures connect two sides of the world is a privilege we never take for granted. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard to experience the wonder of whale season with us!

Join us on the water this spring to see who else has arrived.

🌊🐋 THE T-PARTY IS ALMOST HERE 🐋🌊Spring is arriving, and so are the orcas! We’re gearing up for the return of the legenda...
04/29/2026

🌊🐋 THE T-PARTY IS ALMOST HERE 🐋🌊

Spring is arriving, and so are the orcas! We’re gearing up for the return of the legendary "T-Party": one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the Salish Sea.

A T-Party isn’t your average social gathering. It’s a powerful meeting of Bigg’s (transient) killer whales, where multiple matrilineal families join together to socialize and hunt in our local waters.

🐋 BIODIVERSITY ON THE MOVE 🐋

🐟 Top Predators: Unlike salmon-eating residents, Bigg’s orcas are marine mammal hunters.
✨ Social Bonds: T-Parties showcase the complex connections between different whale families.
📍 Spring Arrivals: This is prime time to witness these iconic predators in the Discovery Islands.

Since 1994, our team has shared 30 years of awe-struck wonder with these majestic animals. Each encounter is a privilege we never take for granted.

Ready to witness the wild? Join us as we kick off another unforgettable season!

Experience the magic at biganimalencounters.com 🌊

🐻🌊🌿 THE BIG WAKE-UP 🌿🌊🐻Spring has arrived early in Bute Inlet! Our iconic grizzly bears are stirring from their winter s...
04/27/2026

🐻🌊🌿 THE BIG WAKE-UP 🌿🌊🐻

Spring has arrived early in Bute Inlet! Our iconic grizzly bears are stirring from their winter slumber ahead of schedule, venturing into pristine river valleys to forage for fresh spring sedges.

Witnessing a majestic grizzly emerge into the spring light after months of hibernation is a powerful, awe-inspiring privilege. It’s a true testament to the resilience of these powerful animals in their natural habitat.

Did you know?
🐻 Grizzlies can lose up to 30% of their body weight during hibernation.
🌱 Early spring diets consist mostly of protein-rich sedges and roots.
🦅 This ancient ecosystem is also home to bald eagles, wolves, and marine life.

Our 7 Hour Big Animal Encounter tours venture deep into the mainland inlets and fiords in search of whales, dolphins and or course the hungry Black and Grizzly bears often spotted on beaches searching for clams, muscles and other tasty seafood. It’s more than a tour; it’s a meaningful connection to the wild spirit of the coast.

Ready to witness the magic for yourself? Join us this spring.

✨ Book your adventure at biganimalencounters.com ✨

🌊🐋🐻 SEASON PREP: DRY DOCK TO DEEP BLUE 🐻🐋🌊There’s a specific magic in the sound of an engine turning over for the first ...
04/24/2026

🌊🐋🐻 SEASON PREP: DRY DOCK TO DEEP BLUE 🐻🐋🌊

There’s a specific magic in the sound of an engine turning over for the first time each spring. Since 1994, we’ve spent three decades preparing our fleet to navigate the pristine waters of the Discovery Islands and Salish Sea.

Even after 30 years, that first launch feels just as exciting as day one. Here is how we’re getting ready for you:

✨ Safety First: Rigorous checks to ensure every vessel is in peak condition.
🛥️ Comfort: Prepping our signature heated, covered cabins for those crisp spring mornings.
📍 Tech: Calibrating navigation to find early-season orca "T-Parties" and humpbacks.
🎓 Knowledge: our naturalists are diving back into the latest coastal conservation research.

The air is crisp, the peaks are snowy, and the wildlife is active. We’re ready to share the wonder of the BC coast with you once again.

Join us for the season opener! Explore our schedule and book your spring adventure at biganimalencounters.com.

🌊🐋🐻 PROTECTING THE SALISH SEA 🐻🐋🌊The Salish Sea is a masterpiece of biodiversity. This Earth Day, we celebrate the privi...
04/22/2026

🌊🐋🐻 PROTECTING THE SALISH SEA 🐻🐋🌊

The Salish Sea is a masterpiece of biodiversity. This Earth Day, we celebrate the privilege of sharing these pristine waters with the giants of the deep. At Big Animal Encounters, we believe witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat is a powerful call to conservation.

🐋 THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR COAST:

📍 Humpback Whales: A majestic conservation success story in our local waters.
🧬 Orcas: Home to Resident and Transient pods, each with unique matrilineal cultures.
🐟 Grizzly Bears: Sustained by the vital salmon runs of Bute Inlet.
🌊 Diverse Ecosystems: From world-class dive sites to kelp forests.

Since 1994, we’ve served as stewards of this wild coast. Every expedition is an opportunity to connect with the heritage and natural wonder of British Columbia. By choosing responsible viewing, you help us protect these iconic species for the future. ✨

Join us this season to explore the magic of the wild. Your adventure starts at biganimalencounters.com.

Address

129-1340 Island Highway
Campbell River, BC
V9W8C9

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 6:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 6:30pm
Saturday 7:30am - 6:30pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5:30pm

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