Vancouver UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Seals Snorkel Kayak Boat Tour

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Vancouver, Canada

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

There aren’t many places where you can snorkel in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. On this half-day small-group boat tour, head to Howe Sound for snorkeling and kayaking. Spot diverse wildlife—including whales, seals, sea lions, and porpoises—while enjoying rugged landscapes framed by lush forests and mountains. The covered boat offers protection, large viewing openings, a marine toilet, hot-water shower, and dive elevator for easy water access.

Don’t worry about gear—snorkels, wetsuits, and kayaks included
No experience necessary, a great opportunity to try something new
Small-group tour: Lots of chances to ask the crew questions
Warm up after your dip with soup, coffee, or hot chocolate

What's Included

Use of Snorkeling gear, Wetsuits and Kayaks
Soup, Coffee, Hot chocolate, Tea, Water
Snacks

Private transportation
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Horseshoe Bay Public Dock
6705 Nelson Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7W 2B2, Canada
Arriving at Horseshoe Bay by public transport is convenient ,the most common route is the 257 Horseshoe Bay Express. Your guide and the boat will be waiting for you at the Government Dock, located below the Search and Rescue (SAR) building with the red roof.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.12:00 pm

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Simran_S

It was once of the most amazing and magical experiences I’ve ever had. We saw whales, swam with the seals and kayaked. Victor was so informative, warm and friendly. I’ve added this to my summer activities and you should try it too. Next time, I plan on taking my dog with me.

Reviews

5.0

based on 47 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Fantastic! The two...

Ada_C, Jul 2026

Fantastic! The two instructors were wonderful and kind and the bio reserve was extremely breathtaking

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear you had a fantastic experience. It means a lot to know our guides made you feel welcome and that you enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of the bio reserve. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again for another adventure!

Best day ever

Melissa_O, Aug 2025

Amazing tour filled with gorgeous scenery, up close sightings of seals and starfish, a great way to spend a day. Not too taxing but definitely something active, adventurous and a little more special than all the usual Vancouver tourist activities. Our guides Victor and Vincent were wonderful and made everything warm, friendly and comfortable, showing us the best spots. It was really the best day ever!

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you for such a glowing review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the gorgeous scenery, wildlife sightings, and the balance of adventure with comfort. Knowing it was “the best day ever” truly makes our day too! We hope to see you back for more adventures soon.

Exceptionally friendly...

Cindy_M, Jul 2025

Exceptionally friendly captain and guide. The views are breathtaking from the water and the time in the water with the seals and starfish was magical. We highly recommend this experience!!!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words, it was a pleasure having you on board. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the views and had such a magical time with the seals and starfish. Moments like those are what make this experience so special, and I’m really glad we could share it with you. Thanks again for the recommendation, and hope to see you back out on the water soon!

Amazing experience! Highly recommend!

zhe_w, Jun 2025

I booked this tour in June with Captain Victor, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! Our small group (about 7 or 8 guests) took a boat to the seals’ habitat, where Captain Victor provided us with wetsuits and snorkeling gear. Once in the water, the curious and gentle seals swam right up to us to say hello — it felt magical and completely safe. The water was a bit chilly in June, so after a while I warmed up on the boat and enjoyed the beautiful views. Some guests also chose to kayak, which looked like a fun alternative. Overall, this was a unique and amazing adventure. Highly recommended for anyone who loves animals and wants a close, memorable encounter with nature!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm really glad to hear the experience was such a memorable one for you. It’s always a privilege to share the magic of swimming with the seals, they’re so curious and gentle, and it’s amazing to see how special those encounters can be. I'm glad you were able to enjoy both the water and the beautiful views from the boat. It was a pleasure having you on board, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Hope to see you again for another adventure!

Magical

Simran_S, Jun 2025

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful words! I'm truly glad to hear you had such a magical experience—it was a joy sharing the day with you. Watching whales, swimming with seals, and kayaking all in one trip really is something special, and I’m thrilled it left such a great impression. Can’t wait to welcome you (and your dog!) next time for another unforgettable adventure! Warm regards, Victor

Amazing adventure in Howe sound

Daniela_D, Aug 2024

Victor was an amazing and knowledgeable captain. He kept us feeling very safe throughout the trip and made wonderful suggestions and recommendations. The views were absolutely gorgeous and the boat was very comfortable. We will be doing this again very soon

You have to be ready and...

Randy_D, Jul 2025

You have to be ready and punctual to find those responsible on the main platform. Be patient with seals

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Response from Host, Jul 2025

Merci pour votre commentaire et vos précieux conseils ! Effectivement, être ponctuel et prêt facilite le bon déroulement de l’activité, et un peu de patience avec les phoques permet souvent de vivre un moment magique. Au plaisir de vous revoir bientôt !