Snorkel with the Stars in Desolation Sound Marine Park, British Columbia
For years the guides of Powell River Sea Kayak Ltd. have been sharing the awesome intertidal marine life of Desolation Sound with their guests. We finally decided it was time to offer a non-kayak tour - to jump right into the water and to fully experience some of the best intertidal marine life on the coast of British Columbia! Is it really that good?Jacques Cousteau, the famous diver and explorer, often frequented the waters of this area. He considered the diving in these parts to be second in the world only to the Red Sea. This is certainly a valid testimonial. For Powell River Sea Kayak Ltd., the reality has been in our experience. This truly is an amazing area!  But, this is NOT a diving tour!If we stay on the surface, how will we experience the best marine life? What will we see?The area we snorkel is home to a large variety of intertidal creatures. Some are a little more transient than others, however, most call this area home. The most common creatures are: Giant Sunflower Stars, Purple Stars, Mottled Stars, Leather Stars, Blood Stars, Painted Stars, Gumboot Chitons, Pacific Sea Cucumbers, Orange Sea Cucumbers, Shield Back Kelp Crabs, Spiny Red Sea Urchins and Green Urchins. What is provided?As with our kayak tours, we want to make sure our guests are 100% safe and comfortable. We therefore provide everything needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable snorkeling tour. Who is this tour best suited for?
Is it cold?Perhaps we can put it this way: Is it cold when you ski? Of course it is, but you dress appropriately and therefore stay warm. The same is true with snorkeling. We will be using full wetsuits which provide more than sufficient insulation to stay warm and comfortable in cold water. Having said that, we are snorkeling in the warm waters of Desolation Sound Marine Park. During the summer months, water temperatures can be warm enough to be comfortable even without a wetsuit! A Quick Itinerary:The tour starts at our Desolation launch site on Okeover Inlet. After a brief introduction to the tour and a talk on safety issues, we don our wet suits and hop into our motor vessel for the quick ride out to the best snorkeling waters - the AQUARIUM. Snorkelers, along with their guide, will be dropped off at a predetermined site away from the Aquarium. In this way, snorkelers will experience the slow action of the current as they drift over a variety of marine animals. The guide will lead the group along the shoreline, where many of the sea creatures cling to rocks and sea weeds. The topography of the shoreline is quite varied. Some areas are gently sloped with shallow water and other areas are granite walls plunging deeply into the inlet. On route to the Aquarium, the guide will have guests "haul-out" onto slabs of rock along the shoreline - not unlike how a seal hauls-out onto a rock or islet. This will allow guests to rest, discuss what they have viewed and to receive interesting interpretation of the plants and animals. Upon arrival at the Aquarium, guests will be treated to a dazzling array of intertidal marine life. The remainder of the time will be spent snorkeling within the bay-like area of the Aquarium and it's outer islands and islets. Guests will then hop back onto the motor vessel for the brief trip back to the launch site. Throughout the snorkeling tour, the motor vessel and it's operator will be nearby to assist if needed. Dates:You set the date or join an already scheduled tour!Please call us toll free at 1-866-617-4444, or email us, and one of our friendly office staff will be glad to discuss dates that have been already scheduled or for custom dates that work best for you. Tours and Prices
Snorkel with the Stars Please note: 5% GST (Canada's Federal Goods and Service Tax) is additional. Contact Powell River Sea Kayak Ltd. by email or call us toll free at 1-866-617-4444. |
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