Port Hardy guided wilderness tours and wildlife photography, family vacations, whale watching, camping, and west coast wildlife.

West Coast Wildlife Viewing, Wildlife Photography, Whale Watching

Get close to west coast wildlife with the expert guidance of Starfish Charters. From his base in Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island, David Connor will take you to view and photograph some of the region's most amazing, elusive and endangered species.

Once you've booked your charter, you can look forward to seeing and learning more about the following species.

Big Black Bears. You'll see them on the beaches in May, June and early July or on the last 30 km into Port Hardy as they graze the roadside clover and winter rye.

Grizzly Bears are found on the mainland shore in Smith Inlet, Seymour Inlet and Knight Inlet. At Knight Inlet there are viewing platforms in Glendale Cove, placed above the saltwater marsh for wildlife viewing of Grizzly Bears. Imagine coming home with a photograph of one of these giants!

Coast Black Tail Deer are a dainty semi-tame species that inhabit nearly every small island in the Port Hardy/Gulf Islands area. These small, beautiful animals can often be seen grazing on kelp at low tide, giving you the opportunity for an unforgettable photograph.

Tidal Species including shorebirds, crabs, shellfish and starfish are found on the region's isolated beaches. At night, a light thrown on the beach will reveal hundreds of green toads chasing beach flies.

Whales perform for you almost everywhere in the region. In the summer there are resident Humpback Whales, Gray Whales and Minke Whales. The salmon run draws Orca Whales and Pacific White Side Dolphins. You'll also see the aquatic acrobatics of Harbor Porpoises and Dahl's Porpoises.

Sea Lions have a large rookery on the northeast side of Hope Island. Once you've seen them body surf, you'll agree they're better entertainment than a Hollywood blockbuster.

Sea Otters are now abundant in the whole northeast of Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte straight. Cute, curious and playful, Sea Otters entertain with their aquatic antics and by examining you as you examine them.

Mink and River Otters scamper along the shoreline and are never shy, whether you are watching or not.

Bird-Watching

One of the most popular of Starfish Charters' services are wilderness tours designed to find and/or photograph the many species of birds which inhabit the west coast.

From raptors, to sea birds, shore birds, and land birds, the islands are home to a wide range of species.

Peregrine Falcons drop from the skies like heat-seeking missiles when they spot prey. From their wilderness nests they soar over the islands, seeking species like the Auklet and the endangered Marbled Murrelet.

Bald Eagles are found throughout the area. They often hang around the fish cleaning tables in Port Hardy sitting only 15 to 20 feet away as they wait for scraps. Eagles are also drawn to tide pools and ancient Native weirs, which trap prey.

Ready for a close-up tour of Vancouver Island waters and wildlife? Starfish Charters is now accepting reservations for the 2012 season.

To book your west coast wilderness tour, click here or call Toll-free 1-888-363-4741.

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