Itinerary
Snorkel while observing Vancouver's resident harbour seals during this 5-hour adventure boat tour! Board our boat from Horseshoe Bay with your adventure guide, where we'll take you by boat to the local seal colony. Slip into the provided snorkel gear and wetsuit, then dive in for an up-close experience with seals, following their lead! Snorkel around the bay and the rocks, experiencing the marine environment while in a 40ft customized vessel. A sightseeing-only option is available for those passengers who wish to stay dry on the boat. All snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and light snacks are included.
Please note this tour is created for sightseeing only, we do not encourage interaction with the seals. However, seals all have unique personalities and some may swim right up to you to have a closer look! In these events we encourage all adventurers to simply stay still and let the seal do it's thing. All snorkelers must agree and abide to our marine protection guidelines before entering the water.
Stop At:
• Sewell's Marina, 6409 Bay Street, West Vancouver, British Columbia V7W 3H5 Canada
See Availability.
6373 Bruce St, West Vancouver, BC V7W 2G5, Canada
02:00 PM
5 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Please note: There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. 'Sightseeing Only' option cannot operate without enough divers or snorkelers.
Guests must be able to swim
Guest weights, heights, and shoe size must be shared with staff at time of booking.
Trip operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. If canceled due to poor weather, an alternative date will be suggested.
Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian
Children under 19 must have waiver signed by parent or guardian
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : Sanne_N
We had a great time! We got to snorkel and kayak with the seals & it was everything we hoped for. Because of the weather it was pretty cold, but the warm drinks on the boat made up for it :)
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Posted On : 2023-10-26
Posted By : Kate_F
For everyone out there who hates the cold like me, let me tell you, this adventure was great and I did not freeze! I was joking when I checked it that I am someone who gets cold at lunch eating outside on a 70 degree F day, let alone snorkeling in the ocean.
Our guide, Sam, noted we would be in 5mm wetsuits with wetsuit gloves, boots/socks, and the option to take a hood after I told her I thought I was going to freeze. This was all foreign speak to me at the time, but like I said, I did not freeze!
On the way out, the boat came across a humpback whale, so the captain killed the engine and let us watch the whale for about 5-10 minutes due to passenger interest.
Once out at the first snorkel location, we slid into the water. Our guide Sam said you would feel cold for about a minute and then you would feel fine after that, which was true. It’s cold as the water comes into the wetsuit (as it’s supposed to), but then it heats up and all is good. We swam with Sam a bit over to a nearby rocky area with seals. We snorkeled in the area for about 30 minutes or so seeing other creatures too including mussels, crabs, and starfish.
After the first snorkel area, we headed back into the boat. All passengers were offered a cup of hot chicken noodle soup while the captain drove us to the next location. I mentioned I was gluten free and could not eat noodles, so I instead was offered a cup of hot chocolate, which I happily took.
At the second area, passengers had the option to snorkel again, kayak, or stand-up paddle board. My boyfriend chose to snorkel again, while I chose to stand-up paddle board. On my adventure, I stayed warm in the wetsuit (despite not being in the water and being in the shade) and was able to paddle with the other paddle boarders and kayakers along the shore. We saw several different areas of seals in and out of the water, starfish, seagulls, and a deer! I was able to get relatively close to the seals on the paddle board. If anyone got too close and they felt threatened though, they would all start jumping in the water and swim away, so it’s a delicate balance of watching them while giving them enough space to feel comfortable.
On my boyfriend’s second snorkel adventure, he noted it was colder snorkeling in the shade (first time was in the sun) and by the end he said he was starting to get cold in the wetsuit. At the second area, he was in the water, in the shade, swimming much less than in the first area, but he was able to watch seals on the bottom underneath him and other sea creatures in the water. Plus he was able to watch the seals on the shore. Some of the seals in the water were very curious and would swim with 10 or so feet of him!
After the second stop, we all boarded the boat again and were told if we wanted to jump off the upper deck, we were more than welcome to (a standing tradition started by a child a few years ago who asked to jump). We had a small group and everyone decided to jump! (Though some of us, including myself, needed a bit of extra coaching/cheering to get up the nerve!) After that, we all climbed back on board and were given a cup of hot chocolate during the ride back.
Our guide, Sam, and our boat captain were both great and we had a great time! Plus I bought one of the underwater phone cases they sold at the check-in desk so I even have some cool pictures from in and under the water to share with friends/family. This is a great company and a great trip. I would definitely recommend it!
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Posted On : 2023-09-30
Posted By : Farbod_L
We were a group of five friends and we loved the snorkling and kayak exprience. The staff were super friendly and nice. The soup and snacks on the boat were good. You can also bring your snacks and personal item on the boat. I would love to try this again when I come back to Vancouver.
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Posted On : 2023-09-25
Posted By : Cardy_A
This is a must try and a definite repeat. Great captain and crew. It was also ver safe in water and the boat was accommodating.
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Posted On : 2023-09-24
Posted By : Zjajitae
This experience was truly fantastic. Not only did we see, and swim near, seals but an orca pod made an appearance in the bay. The equipment provided was excellent, and the guides were friendly.
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Posted On : 2023-09-10
Posted By : ArturUdov
Awesome experience. Great value for what you get! Got to try snorkeling and kayaking. Saw tons of seals. Had warm soup and hot chocolate, and took great pics.
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Posted On : 2023-09-09
Posted By : Janine_H
Great fun, well organised and a lovely day. Saw lots of seals and their space was respected. Well worth going on.
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Posted On : 2023-09-04
Posted By : Dagmar_K
Well organized, a nice variety of activities, good balance of challenge, fun and safety, pleasant snacks, good guides- definitely worth it
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Posted On : 2023-08-27
Posted By : cindywY9027OZ
Amazing!!! Best part of our trip to Vancouver. Everyone was very friendly. Seals were plentiful and cute.
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Posted On : 2023-08-21
Posted By : Discover81400
Kevin, Chris and Sam were incredible hosts and guides! Fun, knowledgeable, and patient (as we unintentionally arrived late for the prep part!). A wonderful way to spend time on snd in the water! Thank you!
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Posted On : 2023-08-20
