Each island posted on this Gulf Islands tourism website provides a list of park destinations ideal for wildlife watching. Each park destination includes a description, directions, lists of activities, possible wildlife sightings, services onsite and in most cases pictures.

Wildlife sightings are enjoyed on a self guided tour or with a tour company. Tour companies provide an interpretive guide, transportation and sometimes meals. There are marine wildlife watching tour companies, floatplane wildlife tour charters (flightseeing) and hiking guides.

Marine wildlife tours are very popular on the Gulf Islands. Marine tours provide visitors an opportunity to access wildlife areas otherwise not accessible by car or on foot. Marine tours vary in transportation. There are boat tours, kayak tours, sailing charters and floatplane tours.

Self guided tours and good timing provide many opportunities to view wildlife. The best destinations for wildlife viewing on your own would be in the island parks and on the island hiking trails.

Many parks include hiking trails and day use areas. Hiking trails lead to viewpoints, lighthouses, rocky coastlines, First Nation middens and sandy beaches. Day use areas include picnic tables, pit toilets and viewing benches.

There is much wildlife to see when visiting the Gulf Islands. Wildlife includes whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, bears, deer, raccoons, otters, beavers and many birds. There are sea birds, shore birds and predator birds like eagles, oyster catchers, vultures, hawks, sea gulls and herons.

Here are a few notable Gulf Island destinations good for wildlife sightings.

North Gulf Islands

• Broughton Archipelago Marine Route is a marine destination popular for wildlife watching boat tours, kayak tours and flightseeing charters. Wildlife sightings may include Black Bears, Sea Lions, Grizzlies, Bald Eagles and Killer Whales.
• Desolation Sound is a marine destination popular for wildlife watching boat tours, kayak tours and flightseeing charters. Black Bear and Killer Whale sightings are good here.
• Knight Inlet is a marine destination popular for Grizzly Bear and whale sightings. Boat and kayak tours operate in the region.

Central Gulf Islands

• The spring herring runs in Boyle Point Park on Denman Island attracts groups of Bald Eagles, California and Stellar Sea Lions.
• Helliwell Provincial Park on Hornby Island is a 2,872 hectare waterfront park encompassing St. John's Point near northern marine entrance to Tribune Bay. Possible wildlife sightings include seals, eagles, herons, sea gulls and sea lions.

Southern Gulf Islands

• Dionisio Provincial Marine Park on Galiano Island includes a couple private coves and sandy beaches. Wildlife sightings may include whales, seals, sea lions, otters, sea birds, waterfowl and predator birds.
• Georgina Point Lighthouse on Mayne Island is a protected rocky headland with a day use park and lighthouse sandwiched in between two ocean bays. Wildlife sightings may include seals, eagles, sea gulls, sea lions, herons, otters and, if you are lucky, whales.
• Beaumont Park on Pender Island is a marine park with camping and a sandy beach. Wildlife sightings may include seals, sea lions, minks, otters and eagles.
• Ruckle Park on Saltspring Island enjoys a 7 kilometre beachfront. Wildlife sightings may include whales, sea lions, seals, minks, otters, eagles and deer.

What a way to spend a day wildlife watching EH!

The EH TEAM