Premier Listings for the Salish Sea

The Salish Sea is located in the Pacific Northwest waters of British Columbia in Canada and the state of Washington in the USA. The Salish Sea includes the waters of the Strait of Georgia in BC, Puget Sound in Washington, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which separates Washington’s Olympic Peninsula from Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

The Salish Sea is the official name for the complex of interconnected straits, sounds, inlets, and inland waterways stretching from Tumwater, Washington, at the south end of Puget Sound, to Desolation Sound at the northern end of the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. The Salish Sea includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca up to a line from Cape Flattery near Neah Bay in Washington to Port San Juan near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island.

The name refers to the language of the First Nations groups that originally occupied the area and have traversed these waters for thousands of years. The Coast Salish are a grouping of indigenous peoples who live in southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington state and share a common linguistic and cultural origin.

For most of their collective histories there was no overarching term to describe these people as a whole. Today the Coast Salish are seen as one of the main cultural and linguistic branches of a larger group known as Salishan or Salish. There are five recognized divisions of the Salish language family, with Coast Salish and Interior Salish being the primary two. The Salish family consists of 23 separate languages.

Location: The Salish Sea is located in the Pacific Northwest waters of British Columbia in Canada and the state of Washington in the USA.

Premier Local Businesses in Salish Sea, BC – North Central Vancouver Island Small Business

Photo of Heriot Bay Inn & Marina
Heriot Bay Inn & Marina
West Road & Heriot Bay Road Box 100 Heriot Bay Quadra Island BC V0P 1H0 Home Phone: 250-285-3322Home Fax: 250-285-2708Work Phone: 1-888-605-4545Visit Website

Biographical Info

The Heriot Bay Inn is Quadra Island’s adventure resort. Adventure: Kayak, whale or grizzly watch. Dine: Casual seaside fare in Herons, HBI Pub with live music Fridays. Stay: accommodations range from hotel rooms to ocean-view housekeeping cottages. Also onsite: marina, RV & tent campsites with full service hook-ups, wireless internet.

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Photo of Five Star Whale Watching Adventures
Five Star Whale Watching Adventures
645 Humboldt Street Victoria BC V8W 1A6 Home Phone: 250-388-7223Home Fax: 250-388-5474Work Phone: 1-800-634-9617Visit Website

Biographical Info

Five Star Whale Watching helps you discover the picturesque southern Vancouver Island, Victoria, and the Gulf Islands, home to the largest population of Killer Whales (Orcas) in the world. Come aboard one of our two 40-passenger Expedition Catamarans, each of which combines comfort, speed, safety, and your choice of 3 viewing platforms. With 20 years experience watching whales we offer more that just a “point and photograph” tour.

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Photo of Vancouver Whale Watch
Vancouver Whale Watch
12240 Second Avenue Suite 210 Steveston Richmond BC V7E 3L8 Home Phone: 604-274-9565Home Fax: 604-274-9575Visit Website

Biographical Info

Vancouver’s Most Experienced Whale Watching Company offers 3 to 5-hour tours and is the only company from Vancouver with zodiacs. First-class vessels: choose between the open or the semi-enclosed style of zodiac. For the adventure of a lifetime, travel through the spectacular Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands to watch the magnificent Orcas. Professional naturalists interpret each trip. We emphasize science and conservation while maintaining a fun and professional atmosphere. Shuttle service available from Vancouver to the departure point in Steveston.

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Photo of Campbell River Whale Watching & Adventure Tours
Campbell River Whale Watching & Adventure Tours
Moorage & Office: Discovery Harbour Marina #1 – Dock E Campbell River BC Home Phone: 250-287-2667Work Phone: 1-877-909-2667Visit WebsiteVisit Blog

Biographical Info

Mailing address:
1561 Galerno Road
Campbell River, BC
V9W 5N6

As Campbell River’s largest tour operator, we offer excursions on and off the water. With a spacious 14-passenger van, we run Guided Hikes, Winery, Distillery, and Brewery tours. We also have 7 marine vessels that include Zodiacs and covered boats, meaning we have something for all comfort levels!

Grizzly, Whale, and Wildlife tours are available ranging from 3 hours to a full day where you can expect to see Humpback Whales, Orca, Dolphins, Porpoise, Eagles, Sea Lions, Black Bears, and Grizzly Bears!

We are the only company on Northern Vancouver Island that is Carbon Neutral, and protecting the environment is something we deeply care about. For every guest that joins us, 1 square metre of old-growth forest is protected. Join us to create memories that last a lifetime! Boasting 6 consecutive years with a certificate of excellence, you can expect to have a fantastic experience with us!

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Photo of Discovery Marine Safaris
Discovery Marine Safaris
104 – 909 Island Highway Campbell River BC V9W 2C2 Home Phone: 250-287-7008Home Fax: 250-287-7005Work Phone: 1-866-501-6722 (ORCA)Visit Website

Biographical Info

The diversity of wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery that exists so close to Campbell River is unparalleled. Ideally located near the south end of Discovery Passage, the area is critically important habitat for Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, and so much more. Travel along stunning shorelines and inlets in search of Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Dall’s Porpoises, Seals, and magnificent Bald Eagles. Embark on our Grizzly Bear Expedition and observe these incredible creatures feasting on salmon in their natural habitat far away from human civilization. Our tour boats feature an enclosed and heated cabin, two outdoor viewing decks, and an onboard washroom.

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Orca Spirit Adventures
Trip Departures: Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel – Marina Level 146 Kingston Street Victoria BC V8V 1V4 Home Phone: 250-383-8411Home Fax: 250-383-4666Work Phone: 1-888-672-6722Visit Website

Biographical Info

Orca Spirit Adventures is Victoria’s premier whale watching company, offering carbon-neutral covered vessel and zodiac tours led by certified marine naturalists whose knowledge and passion for Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife is unequaled in the industry.

Tours are three hours in length, with April through October being the ideal whale watching months. In this peak season, Orca Spirit Adventures boasts a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including humpback whales, Bigg’s and resident orcas (killer whales), and gray whales!

Other wildlife you may encounter include harbour seals and elephant seals, sea lions, Dall’s and harbour porpoises, otters and marine birds such as cormorants and bald eagles.

Unlucky tour? Join us again using our WHALE GUARANTEE for a complimentary whale watching tour!

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Photo of Reel Obsession Sportfishing
Reel Obsession Sportfishing
644 Millstream Lake Road Victoria BC 9B 6E9 Home Phone: 250-886-0315Work Phone: 1-888-855-7335Visit Website

Biographical Info

Reel Obsession Sport Fishing Charters offers year-round, world-class, fully-guided BC salmon and halibut sportfishing charters on Vancouver Island on the west coast of British Columbia, fishing Zeballos, Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet, and Victoria. We offer a variety of charter fishing packages and are quite flexible in customizing your charter fishing experience to suit your needs. Our west coast BC fishing lodge is uniquely located in the migration path of the Pacific salmon, featuring career guides steeped in the local fishery, consistent big catches, world-class service and accommodation, and great fishing all summer long.

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The Wickaninnish Inn

Clearwater Wells Gray KOA Campground

Hidden Cove Lodge

Beautiful Waterfront Getaway at Inn of the Sea

Paddlers Inn