Howe Sound Snorkel & Kayak Tour: Seals in Their Natural Habitat

Get in the water with seals and stay warm between dips

This three-hour snorkeling and kayaking adventure in Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve near Vancouver puts you in the water with seals, sea lions, porpoises and whales in their natural habitat. All snorkeling gear and wetsuits are provided, along with kayaks if you want to explore by paddle instead. The covered boat has a hot-water shower, dive elevator for easy entry and exit, and hot drinks to warm up between water time. Children from age 7 are welcome, and no previous experience is required.

The Experience

The boat leaves with a small group, which means you're not competing for the guide's attention or space at the railing. Once you're out on the water, the seals approach on their own terms—curious and playful, investigating snorkelers without being disturbed or fed. The scenery shifts between rugged coastlines, lush forest and mountains that frame the whole reserve. If the cold gets to you mid-snorkel, you climb back aboard, rinse off in the hot shower and warm up with soup, coffee or hot chocolate before heading back in.

Snorkeling isn't mandatory. You can stay on the covered boat the whole time and watch from the railings, or grab a kayak and paddle through the same waters at your own pace. During fall and spring, when water temperatures drop, the tour runs kayaking only—no snorkeling option those months. The boat itself is built for this: large openings for viewing and photography, a marine toilet, and a dive elevator that takes the strain out of getting in and out of the water repeatedly. Three hours is enough to move through a few different spots and get a real sense of what lives here.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear and wetsuits.
• kayaks.
• hot drinks including soup, coffee, hot chocolate and tea.
• snacks.
• use of the hot-water shower and dive elevator onboard.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by PNW Expeditions

Is this one for you?The covered boat and hot shower make this work even when the air is cool or the water is cold—you're not choosing between comfort and wildlife. Small groups mean the guide can adjust the pace and stops to what your group wants to do, whether that's more time in the water, more kayaking, or more time on deck watching and photographing.

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Top questions

What marine animals will I actually see on this tour?

Seals and sea lions are the main draw, and they're curious enough to approach snorkelers. The reserve is also home to porpoises, whales and seabirds, though encounters depend on where the guide takes the boat that day and what's active in the water.

Do I have to snorkel, or can I just stay on the boat?

You can stay on the boat the entire time and watch from the railings. Kayaking is also offered as an alternative to snorkeling, so you have three ways to spend your three hours—in the water snorkeling, paddling a kayak, or watching from the covered deck.

What happens if I get cold while snorkeling?

You can return to the boat at any point to warm up. The boat has a hot-water shower for a quick rinse and hot drinks—soup, coffee, hot chocolate and tea—so you can get comfortable before heading back into the water if you want to.

Is this tour available year-round?

Snorkeling runs during warmer months when water temperatures allow. From October through November and March through April, the tour operates as kayaking only, since cooler water makes snorkeling less practical.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Snorkeling gear, wetsuits, kayaks, snacks and hot drinks are all included. Bring a towel, change of clothes and any personal items you want to keep dry. The boat has a marine toilet and shower onboard.

Can children do this tour?

Children are welcome from age 7. All gear is provided, no previous experience is required, and the small group size means the guide can work with different comfort levels and ages.