Wildlife Viewing

Plenty of wildlife

Our region

Our region, consisting of Nootka Sound and Nuchatlitz on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, is one of the richest, most pristine areas of the province. This environment is rife with plant, animal, and sea life.

When you book your trip with Zeballos Expeditions, you're in good hands. Daniel O'Connor and Cristina Lepore, owners of Zeballos Expeditions, are experienced guides and long-time residents. They can help you get the best out of your wilderness experience.

Rent a kayak or bring one of your own. Stay at Cedars Inn or pitch a tent on one of the many flat, sandy beaches nearby. Pilot your own boat, or travel aboard ours and let us steer you in the right direction. No matter your mode of travel, what you'll find is outstanding. (So say the hundreds of entries in our guest books.)

Sea otters live here, too.

Have you ever watched sea otters work and play? Probably not, as they're no longer found in great abundance. Lucky for us - and you - they like our little part of the Pacific, and we know some great observation points. Though they are excellent swimmers who will dive down 300 feet looking for food, otters spend much of their time foraging in shallow water close to shore. Otters are very resourceful. They'll use stones to break and pry shellfish from rocks and open them up; and they'll cover themselves in sea kelp to keep from floating away.

Sea otters can reach 100 lb (45 kilos). Sea otters were extinct on the BC coast until about 30 years ago. They were introduced in the Bunsby Islands and have since dramatically increased their numbers and range. This has had a profound effect on the local ecology because it enabled the return of kelp forests, an important juvenile fish habitat, by removing the main grazer, the sea urchins, which are a favorite menu item for the otters. A welcome side effect is the increase in local humpback whales and other species feeding on bait fish.

We know of a couple otter-viewing spots. Ask us for directions when you're here. Or join us on an ocean wildlife tour. We'll take you exploring on our 26-foot boat, which is perfect for maneuvering in shallow waters. And a platform on the front deck provides a flat, stable vantage point for photographers and videographers.

When touring, please remember:

  • Respect First Nation sites
  • Practice no-trace camping
  • Always hang food and do not, in any way, encourage bear contact - a fed bear is a dead bear.

Natural history is alive and flourishing

If it's wildlife you're after, an adventure in the elements, or a relaxing few days of solitude, Zeballos Expeditions is equipped and ready to accommodate. What you do is up to you, but here are a few options:

  • Wildlife spotting - Rafts of sea otters are in the kelp beds and reefs off the west coast Vancouver Island. Black bears roam the beaches at low tide, foraging on inter-tidal life. Gray and humpback whales visit the area during their migrations, often staying the summer. Porpoises and transient Orcas (Killer Whales) often play and spy-hop alongside ocean vessels. Harbour seals, elephant seals, and sea lions sun themselves on the rocks. Deer, cougar, wolves, marten, and river otters can also be spotted along the western shores of Vancouver Island, Nootka Sound and Nuchatlitz.
  • Bird watching - Great Blue Herons, bald eagles, kingfishers, oystercatchers, and gulls are only a few of the resident B.C. coastal bird species. Migratory birds and summer visitors are many and varied.
  • Pacific Rainforest viewing - Sea caves, surf breaking on outer reefs, snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, and sheltered lagoons are all within reach. The west coast Vancouver Island rainforest is characterized by moss-covered Sitka spruce, ancient cedars, and stately hemlocks. Wind- sculpted pines and wildflowers such as Nootka roses and fawn lilies adorn the rocky shores.
  • Stargazing - Summer stars, northern lights, and meteor showers glow in the night sky.
  • Beachcombing - Round, glass floats from Japanese fishing nets used to drift across the North Pacific on the Japanese Current; these days they're rarely seen but highly prized. Keep your eyes open for more plentiful treasures, too, like colorful shells, odd-shaped stones, and naturally-carved driftwood.
  • British Columbia Fishing - Bring your reels, hoochies, nets, and traps. Try sport fishing for salmon, or draw-in other dinnertime favorites - herring, halibut, lingcod, crab and rock-fish.

Seasonal highlights

  • Fall - Birds migrate, salmon spawn, and bears fish along the Zeballos River shores - October is especially good.
  • Summer - It's the best time for salmon sports fishing
  • Spring - With spring comes babies: on land, deer; along the river, sea otters and bears; in the ocean, whales; and in the rainforests, wild flowers and shoots.
  • Winter - It's storm-watching time. Get outside into the wet, then cozy up inside with a cup of hot chocolate or an Irish Coffee.

Don't miss our fabulous tour packages

Sea Otter Watching Tour
Fall Bear Watching
First Nations culture

and enjoy

Fishing
Kayaking
Hiking

Zeballos Expeditions - Tourism BC inspected and approved accommodation!

203 Pandora Ave
Zeballos, British Columbia
V0P 2A0

Owners: Cristina Lepore and Daniel O'Connor
250-761-4044 Phone
250-761-4074 Fax
866-222-2235 Toll-free

info@zeballosexpeditions.com