ECO TOUR EXPEDITIONS
First Nation Culture – Wildlife Viewing – Whale Watching
Welcome to our spectacular back yard and the quintessential setting for a West Coast ecotour.
Shorebird Expeditions can provide an affordable and intimate experience showcasing the region’s extraordinary scenery, ecological diversity and profound cultural heritage. Ultimately, we hope that in providing this experience we will be facilitating a greater appreciation for the value of our First Nations’ heritage and our collective responsibility for environmental stewardship.
Explore BC History & First Nations Culture in beautiful Yuquot (Friendly Cove)
One of the most popular cultural sites in the area is the Village of Yuquot, locally known as Friendly Cove. In the Mowachaht/Muchalaht language it means “where the wind blows from all directions”. This is the historic site where Chief Maquinna and the Mowachaht/Muchalaht people invited Captain James Cook ashore in 1778. Cook was the first European to set foot on what was to become British Columbia.
Visitors to Yuquot have the opportunity to meet some of the friendliest, most hospitable people you’ll find anywhere! There are few tourist destinations in the world that can offer the amazing cultural, historical and natural experience that awaits visitors to Yuquot / Friendly Cove.
Bear, Whale and Wildlife Viewing
Visitors to Yuquot have the opportunity to meet some of the friendliest, most hospitable people you’ll find anywhere! There are few tourist destinations in the world that can offer the amazing cultural, historical and natural experience that awaits visitors to Yuquot / Friendly Cove.
There are many opportunities to view wildlife on a Shorebird Expedition Eco Tour. Black Bears can be found on many of the beaches, searching for crabs at low tide. In the Fall they actually walk the streets of Tahsis!
Our experienced operators are expert at silently gliding near the shoreline to offer you the opportunity to view bears in their natural habitat, safely and with the least amount of disturbance for the bears. Sows (female bears) with cubs will often play and forage on the beach in plain view, obviously feeling no threat from their silent spectators.
Stunning Esperanza Inlet is an excellent place to look for Orca and Humpback whales. Whale watching is fun and easy when the whales are sleek and relaxed, leisurely feeding in the Inlet on their long passage north.
You may also see sea lions roaring and jostling amongst the jagged rocks to find their space in the boisterous crowd. Pay close attention to the kelp beds and you could observe rafts of cheeky sea otters eating and grooming or sleeping. And don’t forget to look up occasionally; you won’t believe the bird watching including (if we’re lucky) magnificent Bald Eagles diving down, talons outstretched, to snatch an unwary salmon from the waves. Incredible? You bet, that’s why we call it an Adventure Tour!
We’ll show you the coast like you’ve never seen it before! Contact us to book your tour!
Mowachaht / Muchalaht First Nation participation may be possible on some tours by request. Contact us for for tour options and availability.
The owner was always quick to respond, even calling to chat in the evenings or on weekends. She cared about our trip being a success and gave us lots of tips about the trail we were being dropped off at. She is involved in trail clean-up and future trail improvements alongside the indigenous groups in the area.
Lara KremlerJuly 4, 2021.What an experience! Shorebird was an amazing company to work with. They were able to provide lots of information about the Nootka trail to help us better prepare. They were flexible in dates/times, and worked with us when we had to unexpectedly leave the trail early. The boat ride is beautiful with lots of opportunities to take in the beauty and snap some great photos. 10/10
Rita WakelinJune 21, 2021.I can highly recommend Shorebird Expeditions for their water taxi service. I used their service to get my hiking group to and from the Nootka Island trail for an amazing one week adventure in the wilderness. Sarah was a wealth of information, friendly, and patient. Both our drivers were friendly and kind. The ride to and from our trail heads were spectacular. I hope to use their service again for a kayak adventure. Thank you Shorebird for making our time with the wolves possible.
Leila NazaroffOctober 1, 2020.We have used this company for various kayak trips in the area over several years and they have always been excellent.
Salty ShysterJune 22, 2020.It was easy to book our water taxi service to hike the Nootka Trail. Everything was on time (actually, early) and easy going. Great drivers and good craft for getting you there and back easily and safely. We even stopped to watch a raft of otters on the way back!
Timothy AnnanJuly 14, 2018.