Welcome to SEASMOKE WHALE WATCHING

ALERT BAY & ALDER BAY

Ethical, Educational, and Meaningful Experiences.

That’s our philosophy. We love this place and the wildlife that live here and we know you’ll love it too.

Departing from Alert Bay (Cormorant Island) with free pick-up available in Alder Bay (Vancouver Island), just down the road from Telegraph Cove.

A little bit about us…

We’re Nate & Jeannine, owners of Seasmoke Whale Watching, and your captains. Between us, we have over 20 years experience as wildlife guides in this area and around the world. We live in the beautiful community of Alert Bay and are proud to carry on the legacy of Seasmoke, which started here in 1986, and was one of the first whale watching companies in Canada.
As experienced guides and travelers with a passion for wildlife and wild places, we know how important it is to find tour operators with the same ethics and philosophy that we have. We feel incredibly privileged to be able to work and live on the territory of the Kwak’wala speaking people, and that we get to spend time with the wildlife a that also call this place home every day. We’re just as excited to go out on tour every day as you are!

Our tours operate in the pristine waters of Upper Johnstone Strait near Robson Bight, Telegraph Cove, and Blackfish Sound. This critical habitat area is the best place to find Northern resident orcas and is also home to humpback, minke and Bigg's (transient) killer whales. Dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and many other species of birds and mammals add to the complex and diverse web of life found in these productive waters. On our tours the wildlife always come first.

Seasmoke Whale Watching is a proud member of the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA). As members, we are bound by a Code of Conduct that exceeds the federal marine mammal viewing regulations. We donate one dollar per guest toward their Conservation Fund, which distributes grants for projects and research that benefit marine wildlife of Northern Vancouver Island.

We are certified with Transport Canada and fully insured.

Personal, friendly, small group tours since 1986

Testimonials

“Awesome I don't need to say more. It was awesome!!!” - Joni C.

“We were impressed with the whole experience and were so excited to see porpoises, orcas, humpback whales, seals, and bald eagles! I would highly recommend this company to anyone! You will have a great experience!!” - Noreen U.

“This company follows the rules of the setback distance and truly cares for the wildlife in this area which I truly appreciated.” - Tami N.

“Our guide was knowledgeable and respectful of the whales. Highly recommend this tour.” - John and Rita V.

“At one point there were so many whales in our periphery we didn’t know which way to look.” - Richard N.

“The Seasmoke tour was the highlight of our two week road trip.” - Constance G.

“This was the third whale watching trip we did on the Island and it was the best one.” - Sarah C.

“Really comfortable trip in flat calm seas and spacious boat. We had really special day with lots of humpback whales. Unbelievably they gave us a show of breaching, lunge feeding and trap feeding.” - Steve