Coastal Rainforest Safaris

09/02/2026

You never know what you might encounter on a trip with Coastal Rainforest Safaris.

On August 11, we spotted a Bald Eagle swimming toward shore. We assumed it had caught a fish too large to carry in flight, but when the eagle hauled itself onto a rock, we realized it had a bird in its talons, and not just any bird. It was a Nazca B***y.

Nazca Bo***es are normally found in tropical waters, and this was only the eighth confirmed record of the species in British Columbia.

Although it was sad to see that this exceptionally rare visitor had not survived, it did provide the eagle with a substantial meal. It was an unforgettable glimpse into the realities of life in the wild.

This Saturday, September 5, we’re heading offshore from the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island for a full-day Pelagic Birding Adventure. Who knows what we might find?

https://coastalrainforestsafaris.com/pelagic-birding/

08/20/2026

Unbothered. This is his coast.

ExploreBC

07/15/2026

Great fundraising trip with Bay Cetology this past weekend. We hope to review all our photos and create our own trip report in the coming days. But in the meantime, here is an update from Bay's Cetology themselves.

We hope to do something similar again next year, visit our website and join our newsletter to get updates when it is announced

07/05/2026

The mood when you are watching whales that do this!

07/02/2026

The whales brought us here. The birds reminded us this whole coastline is alive.

06/26/2026

Our Sea Otter Viewing & Whale Watching Tours take you deep into the wild waters of Northern Vancouver Island, where every trip is a chance to witness nature at its most spectacular. From playful sea otters and breaching humpback whales to soaring bald eagles, sea lions, dolphins, and more, no two days on the water are ever the same.⁠
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With expert guides, small groups, and custom-built boats designed for comfort, you'll experience these incredible animals in the places they call home, all while learning about the ecosystems, wildlife, and rich tapestry of indigenous culture and history that make this coast so extraordinary.⁠
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📍Daily departures from Port Hardy⁠
🕒 5.5 to 6 hour adventure⁠
🍴 Lunch, drinks, and all gear included⁠
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Click the link below to learn more!⁠

www.coastalrainforestsafaris.com/sea-otter-viewing-and-whale-watching-tour

06/22/2026

The ocean doesn't perform on schedule. When it decides to show you something out here, you feel it in your chest before you even reach for your camera or binoculars.

06/21/2026

When we first shared this sighting, we knew it was extraordinary. Since then, we’ve had time to reflect on just how rare and meaningful this encounter was.

On June 15, our guests and crew encountered a North Pacific right whale off northern Vancouver Island — one of the rarest whales on the planet and the most critically endangered whale species in Canada.

We’ve now shared the full story on our blog, including more about the encounter along with additional photos, why sightings like this matter, and the importance of documenting these whales whenever they are seen.

You can read the full post here:

https://coastalrainforestsafaris.com/2026/06/a-rare-north-pacific-right-whale-encounter-off-northern-vancouver-island/

A huge thank you again to our guests, to Bay Cetology, and to everyone working to better understand and protect whales on this coast.

Some days on the water stay with you forever. On June 15, 2026, while guiding a wildlife tour off northern Vancouver Island in the territory of the ’Nakwaxda’xw First Nation, our guests and crew encountered a North Pacific right whale — one of the rarest whales on the planet and […]

06/16/2026

Yesterday's trip became one we will never forget.⁠
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While on the water off northern Vancouver Island, we encountered a North Pacific right whale, one of the rarest whales on the planet.⁠
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The encounter happened near the end of our scheduled tour, but every guest on board was eager to stay out longer for the experience, so we extended the trip and remained on the water. After the whale was spotted, we contacted Bay Cetology. Their researchers were able to get on scene, confirm the identification, and document the whale.⁠
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For much of the encounter, the whale travelled slowly at the surface, showing its broad back, distinctive callosities, and lack of a dorsal fin. At times, it also spent time rolling in kelp at the surface — a remarkable behaviour to witness from a respectful distance.⁠
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Encounters like this are rare beyond words. The eastern North Pacific population is estimated to number fewer than 50 animals, making this one of the rarest large whale populations on Earth. Each documented sighting helps researchers better understand where these whales travel and how they use these waters.⁠
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According to a post by Jackie Hildering "This is only the 7th known sighting [of a North Pacific Right Whale] since 1951".⁠
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That is exactly why we are proud to be partnering with Bay Cetology for a special Bay Cetology Fundraising Trip on July 11 and 12, 2026. This two-day expedition will help support Bay Cetology’s work locating and documenting rarely seen cetaceans off northern Vancouver Island, including species such as s***m whales, beaked whales, fin whales, sei whales, blue whales, pelagic killer whales, and North Pacific right whales.⁠
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A huge thank you to our guests for sharing today’s moment with patience, excitement, and respect, and to Bay Cetology for their rapid response and ongoing work to better understand and protect whales on this coast.⁠
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Learn more about the Bay Cetology Fundraising Trip through the link in our bio.⁠
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#⁠northpacificrightwhale ⁠
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🌊 The whale was sighted in 'Nakwaxda'xw First Nations territory⁠
📷️ The photos were taken with a 600mm lens and cropped