The Best Things to Do in Campbell River Are on the Water

Campbell River is a place built around the ocean. While there is plenty to explore on land — Elk Falls Provincial Park, the suspension bridge, Discovery Pier, and Seymour Narrows lookout — the real magic happens when you get out on the water. The Discovery Passage, the Discovery Islands, and Desolation Sound are home to humpback whales, orca, sea lions, bald eagles, black bears, and five species of wild Pacific salmon. A day tour with 50 North Adventures takes you into this ecosystem on a private, covered boat with a maximum of six guests — an experience you simply cannot get from shore.

What You Can Do on a Campbell River Day Tour

Every day tour is flexible and tailored to your group’s interests. Options include whale watching in the Discovery Passage, cruising through the Discovery Islands, visiting Desolation Sound’s hidden bays and waterfalls, spotting wildlife along the shores, stopping at boat-access-only restaurants and trading posts like Refuge Cove, exploring Gorge Harbour, Lund, or Whaletown, beachcombing, photography, and simply taking in the panoramic views of the Coast Mountains. Your captain knows every bay, every channel, and every spot where the wildlife gathers.

Vancouver Island family day tours

50North Adventures has been set up to give everybody access to a unique ecosystem that is only accessible to boat owners, holidaying cruisers and sailing yachts.

An opportunity to explore the waters like the locals doCruise some of the magnificent Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound on our 4 – hour tour.

We depart Discovery Harbour Marina and head into the famous  Discovery Passage, frequently used by the north and southbound tugboats and cruise ships visiting Alaska.

This protected inland water way is also shared by both Transient Orca, here to hunt for seals & sea lions and our Humpback whales that have returned here to feed on the pacific herring and krill for the summer months.

Our local Seals and Sea lions with many species of birds, including Bald eagles and Blue heron can be seen along our shores at any given time.  During spring and early summer, keep your eyes fixed on the shores at the low tide and you may see Black Bears foraging around for a sea food snack?

From Discovery Passage we have the freedom to roam around amongst the coastal wildlife as we are constantly updated with real time information on the latest locations and sightings of the majestic whales.

The operators here in Campbell River work together as a network making sure the rules and regulations are being followed and the animals are being looked after.

This allows us to Whale Watch and have more encounters with multiple  pods in different locations as we tour around the islands.

Cruising the waters around the Discovery Islands and into Desolation Sound we can visit the likes of  Gorge Harbour, Lund, Refuge Cove, Squirrel Cove, Manson’s Landing or Whale Town to mention a few.

We could stop in at one of the unique General stores or Trading Posts only accessible by boat for a bite to eat and seek out some of the beautiful bays and waterfalls these areas are famous for.

All this as you enjoy the endless panoramic views of these amazing water ways and the snow capped B.C mountains on the main land.

50North is recognized by Transport Canada and has authorization and permit for 2025/2026 that allows the vessel to view non-Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) at a minimum distance of 200m, as per the Marine Mammal Regulations.

2026 RATES: Canadian Dollars – $CA

(Not including taxes)

4 Hours $190.00 per person 

Taxes 15% (GST & Fuel Levy)

• Max of 6 guests & min of 4 – Larger group size option
• Covered boat with private toilet and wash room facilities
• Hydrophone to listen to the whales communicate
• Educational and interactive with small numbers
• Unique stop for lunch only accessible by boat
• Lots of room for everyone wanting to take photos
• Binoculars available if needed
• Transport Canada approved and insured
• Children and parent friendly

The weather here on Vancouver Island can be unpredictable, so wearing the right layers is important and there is plenty of room to store your jacket, so bring it along.

We would much appreciate it if guests didn’t wear heavy black sole hiking boots for a day on the water. A good pair of running shoes is so much more comfortable anyway!