Essence of the Sea: Nature tours of Vancouver Island's Beaches and Tide Pools
Can you summon the salty fragrance of the sea, the soothing rhythm of the waves and go to some special place stored in your fondest memories? We help you see the drama unfolding at your feet as British Columbia's bizarre marine life forms battle it out with impressive arsenals and adaptations. Join one of our marine tours to learn more about life on the edge.
Marine Life Ecotour Packages / Descriptions
Book a custom seashore tour.
More All Season Tour Themes: Sea - Sky, Bears - Mushrooms, Toddlers - Seniors
Vancouver Island Rainforest Tours
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Vancouver Island Wildlife Viewing Tours
Vancouver Island Bird Watching Tours
BC Salmon Streams and Rivers, Nature Treks
Milner Gardens Heritage and Nature Tours
Custom Special Focus Nature Tours
"Thank you so much for your energy and enthusiasm in leading the Nature of Nanaimo 2005 programs. The participants appreciated your expertise and guidance!"
Donna Hill, B.Sc. B. Ed., Certified Heritage Interpreter, Heritage Interpretation Instructor
Island Discovery and Training
Rathtrevor Provincial Park, Parksville and Qualicum Beaches
Rating: Easy beach walking
Suggested Length: 2 hours
Distance covered: Up to 2 km return trip
Note: Excellent photo opportunities, the warmest BC ocean swimming, expansive sandy beaches, tide pools, snorkeling, marine life and sea birds.
Season: Year-round eco tours
2 Hour Seashore Tour, $100 / family
Wallace Point
Rating: Moderate nature hike
Suggested Length: 3 hours
Distance covered: Up to 4 km return trip
Note: Stairs and hills, rocky shoreline, tidepools, seabirds and marine life.
Season: Year-round eco tours
2 Hour Seashore Tour, $100 / family
2 Hour Marine Tours, $100 / family
Lets Glow! Snorkelling in Bioluminescence (sometimes incorrectly referred to as phosphorescence)
Photo by Phil Hart.
Experience magical underwater fireworks as zooplankton light up in response to agitation of the water. As you swim with a mask on, it looks like you are travelling at light speed through the stars. Your hands and swimming fish leave a sparkling trail of light and even the waves light up. This one-hour tour runs during dark moonless nights from July 21 to September 30th an hour after sunset. You can book your private group tour for $100.
No one really knows why phytoplankton light up. For zooplankton and larger animals there are more theories about communication, mating and luring prey. It certainly helps diving ducks hunt at night. More theories are detailed in this video.
For the best viewing choose a moonless night and dark area away from city lights. By 9pm it is usually dark enough. The light is activated by agitation of the water. Snorkelling in it is great fun, as the organisms light up as you approach giving the effect of travelling at light speed through the stars. Even the waves light up as in this photo taken by Phil Hart.
A great video of this can be seen here.
Want to learn how to photograph the bioluminescence? See How to photograph bioluminescence
1 Hour Marine Bioluminescence Tours, $100 / group
"The greatest resource of the ocean is not the materials, but the boundless spring of inspiration and well-being we gain from her." --Jacques Cousteau
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Complete packages with Forest Song Cabin Accommodations and charter van services near Qualicum Beach are available.
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910 Fern Road East, Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1M3, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Phone: 1-250-594-7002
Toll Free: 1-866-954-0110 (Canada and United States)
Email: marine_life@coastalrevelations.com
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