5 Autumn Adventures in Campbell River, Canada

Ethereal ancient tropical forests. Huge empty beaches littered with driftwood. Distinctive rocks and isolated bays. It is a landscape that is synonymous with Canada’s Vancouver Island. Located off the Pacific coast of British Columbia, this wild island is one and a half times the size of Wales. The first indigenous peoples, who have called the island home for about 14,000 years, believe that by respecting nature, visitors become closer to the temperate rainforest and its creatures.

The town of Campbell River, located on the east coast of the island, is a special place for wildlife viewing. — especially in autumn, when bright autumn leaves color the landscape in golden and crimson shades, and nature moves. Bears forage in ancient rainforests, salmon leap out of the water, and humpback whales bask in the morning light. Here are five of the best wildlife adventures to enjoy in the region.

1. Snorkeling with salmon

Located on the doorstep of one of the world’s most spectacular salmon migrations, the Campbell River proudly claims to be the “Salmon Capital of the World” – a title backed up by the unique opportunity to don a wetsuit, mask and fins to swim among thousands of pinks, casters, chum and coho. These hook-nosed natives return to the gravel banks in the headwaters of the Campbell River to spawn each June through November, accentuating the vibrant life of this landscape. This large salmon population and the success of the town of the same name as a commercial fishing center can be attributed to Discovery Sound, which acts as a natural funnel, directing migrating fish directly to the mouth of the Campbell River.

Since 1985 Ocean Fix Dive Center observed this remarkable migration and offers self-guided River Run tours, a uniquely Canadian experience that is hard to find elsewhere. Starting at the Logging Bridge on Gold River Highway and ending at Maple Street in Campbell River Township, the river rafting takes about 30-40 minutes, sailing under bridges and under the watchful eye of bald eagles nesting in the surrounding Douglas firs. Look for interesting harbor seals around the exit point – they often congregate to discover new visitors in their waters. To snorkel like a pro, relax your breathing and swim smoothly on your belly with your legs and arms straight out in front of you, trying to stay as still as possible.

2. Watch for grizzlies in ancient rainforests

The Campbell River is the best access point to Booth and Toba Bay, home to packs of huge grizzly bears that can often be seen on the banks in the fall months digging fat, unsuspecting salmon out of the powerful currents. Grizzlies can be seen in the area from August to October, with September and October being the prime viewing season. For the best chance of spotting bears from a safe distance in their natural habitat, head to excursion with the Homalko First Nation. Known as the “people of the swift waters,” they have sailed these lands and waters since time immemorial.

Their half-day and full-day tours take visitors to a variety of hotspots, including Algard Creek and the Orford River, where omnivores forage for berries and bivalves in anticipation of a salmon run. Pass Bute Bay, one of British Columbia’s premier whale-watching channels, then join native guides on camouflaged platforms and towers to watch nature at work.

In addition, a sister tribe, the Homalko, the Klahooz First Nation, offers expeditions to nearby Toba Bay, just north of Wasteland Bay. Here, travelers can cruise one of British Columbia’s most spectacular fjords to see waterfalls and pristine rainforests.

3. Watch killer whales and dolphins

Many companies offer whale watching tours throughout British Columbia, but few have as distinguished a history as Adventures of an eagle eye. This carbon-neutral Campbell River wildlife tour operator was one of the first to be certified as a responsible whale watcher, and its conservation initiatives actively support cetacean research efforts, including those of the World Cetacean Alliance and the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS ).

Eagle Eye Adventures offers two options for its six-hour tours: an exciting, pulse-pounding Zodiac tour or a more leisurely covered boat excursion, both of which descend into the depths of Johnston Sound for marine activities. Both are led by experienced naturalists and marine biologists and offer the chance to see killer whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, sea lions and seals. Travelers may even see a bear cracking mussels and clams along the jagged shores of the islets surrounding Quadra Island.

4. Scan the horizon for humpbacks

Although the names of the archipelagos and channels off Vancouver Island have changed on maps over the years, one thing remains the same: the narrow passages offer unparalleled places to see unforgettable marine life. This includes killer whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and humpback whales. There are various tricks to finding the latter, including using onboard hydrophones to listen for whale calls.

For the best chance of spotting humpback whales, go on a guided tour Campbell River Whale Watching Tours visit the Discovery Islands and Johnston Sound, where the cozy coves of the Inside Passage serve as havens for marine life. Six-hour and full-day tours are available by covered boat or Zodiac, and offer a nature experience that’s different from Vancouver’s tourist tours. There are many places of interest, but the islands of Quadra and Cortes, surrounded by wild sandy beaches, deserve a telephoto lens as much as any tail trematode or flipper.

5. Take part in fishing at Taiyi Spit

The Taiyi Spit is a narrow strip of land that juts into the waters of the Campbell River. The rising sea mist may remind you of the Hebrides or the coast of Ireland, but the horizon of towering, snow-polished mountains is unmistakably Canadian. Visitors can take a variety of hiking trails, such as the scenic three-mile Dick Murphy Parkway between Discovery Channel and the mouth of the Campbell River, but Taiya Spit’s main attraction is undoubtedly its fishing.

Named after tyee — an indigenous term for “chief” or “leader” used in the region to refer to chavici salmon weighing more than 30 pounds — Tayi Spit is a haven for anglers and sport fishers under regulations Thai Club. Established in 1924, this is one of British Columbia’s true, little-known treasures. Bait and barbed hooks are prohibited, and anglers must fish from a traditional rowboat, holding a nine-foot rod and reel on their own. Success depends on skill and finesse, but those who manage to land a 30-pounder will earn a spot in British Columbia’s exclusive Tyee Club.