September 05, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Ucluelet, Whale Watching
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Whale watching tours offer the promise of sightings, but what usually grabs our attention are the tour brochure photos. It's easy to poke fun at the images showing a whale popping out of the ocean within feet of your boat. For our recent wedding anniversary, my husband and I treated ourselves to a four hour Islands, Whales and Bears tour with Ucluelet's Subtidal Adventures. And out in the middle of the Barkley Sound on a sunny weekend afternoon, we struck gold. Here we were, slowly cruising along the water, when a friendly Humpback whale decided to surprise the seven of us. Captain Brian turned off the boat's motor, allowing the whale to pay us repeat visits, within a few feet from the Dixie IV, a charming 1950 former Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue boat. There were no words to describe the reaction that each one of us felt inside upon encountering this curious Humpback. Outside, it was obvious gasps of joy combined with jockeying to get the best angle for photos. After several more moments, the beautiful immense creature finally bid us farewell with an elegant tail dive back into the deep blue sea. This was undoubtedly a rare gift! We did spot more gray and humpback whales during the tour, but none came as close to us as this one had. Our small group also had the chance to view a black bear, sea lions, seals and bald eagles around the Broken Group Islands, a destination for nature lovers on the west coast of Vancouver Island. While Subtidal Adventures offers both the 36 foot Dixie IV cruiser and The Discovery (a 27 foot Zodiac), we opted for the quieter, more relaxing wooden boat while enjoying the beautiful day and nature's bounty. Our four hour tour costs $89 per person plus tax (children 6-12, $69; under 6, $49). Visit the website for more information and schedules. Various ecotours are available year-round.
September 04, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Comox, Science, Nature or Animals
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As I tugged my wetsuit over my legs and my partner grabbed the camera gear from the trunk of the car, he glanced over my shoulder towards the water.
"We're being watched."
I turned, expecting to see someone on the beach, but all was still. Most of the beachcombers were on the other side of Goose Spit, a sandy finger of land that juts out into Comox Bay on the east coast of Vancouver Island. We, however, needed calm water for our underwater photography, and we were the only people on the protected side.
"No, look out farther,"; he replied quietly.
I raised my sightline a few feet offshore. There, a glossy black dome with two puppy-dog eyes and trembling silver whiskers bobbed on the surface: a harbour seal.
We were close enough to hear the whisper of her breath on the water. Under her curious study, we checked the camera, strapped on weight belts, and adjusted our masks. She watched us until we stepped into the bay. Then, she dropped out of sight, as quiet as a ghost.
We filmed jellies, crabs and fish, but while I was quite aware of her presence around us, we never saw the seal again. I caught glimpses of motion out of my peripheral vision as we dove. She flitted through the murky depths like a shadow, watching us fumble in her aquatic home.
Sometimes, on the BC Coast, it can feel like you're a million miles from civilization. But our silent friend provided us with a poignant reminder: whether on land, in the forests, or on the sea, you're never really alone.
September 04, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Pemberton, Hot Springs
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Labour Day weekend marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall in BC, and is usually one of the last weekends for fair-weather campers to head out before the cold weather sets in.
To make the most of the long weekend, a few friends and I decided to head far enough away (ie: meaning no cell reception), but still close enough to Vancouver that we weren't driving the entire time. We decided on St. Agnes' Well/Skookumchuck Hot Springs -- a remote campsite with natural hot springs located four hours north of Vancouver along the Lillooet River.
The campsite had the usual BC elements -- big trees, snow-capped mountains, situated along a rushing river (and a couple nearby lakes) -- with a dash of the Gold Rush History that's present in this part of the province: it's accessed by a gravel logging road that makes up a section of the historic Gold Rush Trail, and two small, overgrown cemetery plots along the way had headstones dating back to the 1960s.
The hot springs were the biggest draw (and such an affordable luxury for camping!). Fed from a natural spring, they've been developed into a series of rustic, outdoor thermal baths located in the middle of the campsite. There's a single- to two-person barrel, a few multiple-person "canoe-like" tubs, and one sheltered A-Frame bath house. The baths stay open 24-hours and at night are lit by candles.
We also brought rods to cast for fish in the river, and took advantage of the Sea to Sky Highway on the drive back: in Pemberton, we stopped for coffee and lunch, and outside Squamish, we jumped off the dock into Alice Lake, then tested the waters over at Murrin Lake.
There's certainly no shortage of things to do or scenery to take in along this slice of the province -- it was the perfect "official" end to summer!
September 03, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Chemainus, Outdoor Activity Tours
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The sweetest little town you want to visit. How it began and survived are depicted in little pictures on the buildings themselves all over the little town. A most enjoyable few hours. But if you care to stay it also boasts a sweet little live theatre and many other treats to keep a person very happy. I thoroughly enjoy visit after visit to this small treasure on Vancouver Island.
September 01, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Attractions
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If you ever come to Terrace and are looking for a good spot to see fish, Williams Creek is phenomenal. You can Park at Gruchy's Beach and take the trail upstream to see the fish. They are so close; it is beautiful, and so fascinating to watch them. You may also spot salamanders or frogs on the trail as well. It is child friendly, and a nice way to kill some time.
The nature at the area is great. You're surrounded by the trees, there are fish spawning in the creek right near the trail, there are birds singing, and frogs chirping, it's just wonderful. Going here with my friend we had tons of fun, doing the walk, taking pictures, and admiring the fish.
If you take the trail further downstream you would get to the beach. It's a nice sandy beach, and sometimes there is a volleyball net set up for you to use. If you go out on a windy day you may also see some people kiting. This is a great place to check out if you have time to spare; plenty of nature, relaxing, and sport to check out.