Marine Science Tour
your one-of-a-kind, all-ages educational sightseeing tour around Ucluelet Inlet guided by local marine biologist & scientific scuba diver
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coastal ecology wildlife watching
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underwater drone exploration
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plankton collection & microscopy
Your captain has spent the past 20 years researching & appreciating Barkley Sound both above and below the surface, and is keen to share his passion and insight about local marine ecosystems with you! This 3-hour boat tour is suited for all ages and includes a mixture of sightseeing; hands on activities including plankton collection, microscopy, live exploration with our underwater drone; and a detailed multimedia presentation. Each tour offers an in depth view of the ocean's beauty and importance, as well as many of the challenges that it currently faces.
2.5 - 3 hours, from June - October
$160 adult (19+)
$140 youth (13-18)
$120 child (12 & under)
wildlife sightseeing
Ucluelet Inlet is home to a wonderful diversity of wildlife species including black bears, harbour seals, sea lions, bald eagle, blue herons, blacktail deer and many more. Join us as we search for opportunities to respectfully view and learn about these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.
underwater drone exploration
Unlike other tours, our explorations don’t just scratch the surface but descend into the depths of the ocean as well. Our professional grade underwater drone allows us to explore marine ecosystems while broadcasting a live feed to a TV screen on board. This allows groups to see what the drone sees in real time while your pilot shares interesting information about the underwater species and ecosystems we encounter.
plankton collection & microscopy
The entire marine food web is built upon the presence of some of the smallest organisms. Our North Pacific waters are particularly rich in nutrients and plankton which supports a huge diversity of local species. Together we deploy a plankton collection net in order to get a representative sample of these tiny wonders. We then mount them under a microscope and camera to give you the rare opportunity to get a detailed view of some of the most beautiful and unique living organisms in the sea.
multimedia presentations
In order to maximize our learning opportunities together, we also deliver detailed presentations throughout our time on the water. With a mix of powerpoint, photos and videos we are able to help you understand many of the most important topics in marine biology and oceanography. These include tides, currents, food webs, salinity, habitat use just to name a few. We also cover many of the most pressing threats to our oceans including climate change, acidification, over extraction, pollution and more.
your captain & guide
Each tour is guided by our boat captain Dane Stabel who has spent over 20 years living and working as a marine biologist, scientific scuba diver, and marine ecotourism operator in Barkley Sound.
After completing a B.Sc. in marine biology from UBC and M.Sc. in Environmental studies from UVic, Dane moved to the west coast of Vancouver island in his 20s so that he could spend as much time as possible exploring, researching, and conserving our local marine ecosystems. After his early work as a field technician working on salmon conservation projects at the Salmon Coast Field Station, he settled in the small coastal town of Bamfield to teach and facilitate research projects at the Bamfield Marince Sciences Centre. He soon completed his full commercial diver certification and has since specialized in underwater surveys and habitat remediation.
Along the way he launched a new ecotourism company specializing in nature tours, kayak trips, recreational diving and water taxi services in order to help as many people experience and appreciate the beautiful waterways of Barkley Sound. After buying his dream undeveloped oceanfront acreage, he relocated to Ucluelet in 2017 and has continued his work while building an off-grid sustainable homestead and private wilderness glamping site.
Along with his partner Sam, a local documentary filmmaker and wildlife photographer, and their rescue pup Hokis, they spend most of their time working on their homestead, exploring the coast, and doing their best to share their knowledge and passion for our local ecosystems and the people who live here.