Ethical, Educational, and Meaningful Experiences.
That’s our philosophy. We love this place and the wildlife that live here and we know you’ll love it too.
Departing from Alert Bay (Cormorant Island) with free pick-up available in Alder Bay (Vancouver Island), just down the road from Telegraph Cove.
A little bit about us…
We’re Nate & Jeannine, owners of Seasmoke Whale Watching, and your captains. Between us, we have over 20 years experience as wildlife guides in this area and around the world. We live in the beautiful community of Alert Bay and are proud to carry on the legacy of Seasmoke, which started here in 1986 and was one of the first whale watching companies in Canada.
As experienced guides and travelers with a passion for wildlife and wild places, we know how important it is to find tour operators with the same ethics and philosophy that we have. We feel incredibly privileged to be able to work and live on the territory of the Kwak’wala speaking people, and that we get to spend time every day with the wildlife that also call this place home. We’re just as excited to go out on tour every day as you are!
Our tours operate in the pristine waters of Upper Johnstone Strait near Robson Bight, Telegraph Cove, and Blackfish Sound. This critical habitat area is the best place to find Northern resident orcas and is also home to humpback, minke and Bigg's (transient) killer whales. Dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and many other species of birds and mammals add to the complex and diverse web of life found in these productive waters. On our tours the wildlife always come first.
Seasmoke Whale Watching is a proud member of the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA). As members, we are bound by a Code of Conduct that exceeds the federal marine mammal viewing regulations. We donate a portion of every ticket sold toward their Conservation Fund, which distributes grants for projects and research that benefit marine wildlife of Northern Vancouver Island.
We support MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre, based in Comox, as monthly donors. As a previous volunteer wildlife rehabilitation intern back in her university days, Jeannine experienced first-hand the dedication they have to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife. We also volunteer as rescuers and transporters when we can.
The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) is dedicated to promoting conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems through scientific research, environmental education, and marine wildlife response. We contribute humpback whale sightings data, and also donate whale watching tours to their annual fundraising auction. In 2023, we participated in their Marine Mammal Response Training Workshop, and are members of a network of operators and individuals able to assist with strandings and other incidents. MERS Humpback Whale Sponsorships are available for purchase in our office!
Based right here in Alert Bay, Bay Cetology is a team of marine biologists and research technicians conducting field operations and studies to enable the conservation and understanding of cetacean populations that are data deficient or threatened by climate change and human development. This year, we were happy to support their first online fundraising auction.
We are certified with Transport Canada and fully insured.
Personal, friendly, small group tours since 1986
2024 Season Update
Tours start June 15th! We’re looking forward to showing you our backyard!