People Water Land- Indigenous Cultural and Wildlife Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
This exclusive, small group half day experience incorporates the best of marine wildlife and First Nations culture. The immersive, hands-on adventure includes whale watching combined with a land-based cultural tour.
The marine portion takes place aboard our new 12 passenger tour boats.
Homalco Tours' custom-design 12 passenger vessels are unlike any other with a landing craft design and TWO seats for every passenger! You have an option to select Comfort Seating inside the cabin or Adventure Seating on the fresh air deck, allowing for a safer COVID-friendly tour.
This is the only cultural and wildlife tour from Campbell River that is 100% indigenous owned and provides you with an immersive indigenous experience from start to finish. Thank you for choosing us, "ʔiymot" (it is good).
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Guests must be able to walk 2-3 kilometers on uneven ground and climb stairs
What To Expect
Journey in comfort on-board a covered, heated boat through the Salish Sea Aupe (Church House), Homalco First Nation's last village site. Along the way your skipper and First Nation guide will share their knowledge of the human history and legends of this spectacular area while on the lookout for humpback whales, orcas, dolpins, sea lions, bald eagles and more.
Options
People Water Land 7:00 AM
People Water Land 1:00 PM
What‘s Included
Snacks
All Fees and Taxes
Restroom on board
Coffee and/or Tea
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
54 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An outstanding Indigenous ecotour
richardcV4549GI,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fantastic indigenous ecotourism experience. Ron, our boatman, was friendly and engaged, but also completely focused on the boat and the water. He avoided the wind and the chop, keeping us in calm waters. He navigated us to places where we could see diverse wildlife: sea lions, otters, eagles and eagle nests. Our guide, Cassie, was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Our tour of Aupe (Church Island) was a marvelous combination of old growth forest, sites of Indigenous occupation, and beautiful spots where Cassie shared stories and traditional ecological knowledge and language from her Homolco people. We even got to see the local black bear, which was monumentally uninterested in us and wandered off away from us without a second thought. What a magnificent animal! It was a generous offering to us from the Homolco, which we enjoyed and from which we benefitted. Take this tour!
Fantastic day
timvZ9024PM,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of 3 had a wonderful boat excursion and tour on May17, 2026. It was a warm sunny day to be on the water. The boat was very comfortable with in and outdoor seating, including a washroom . We all were served with snacks, refreshments and tasty smoked sockeye salmon. The hosts Cassie and Clyde, Clyde being our boat operator were wonderful. As we cruised along the various inlets and bats they pointed a host of wildlife including; sea lions, seals, a pod of killer whales, geese and a beautiful black bear foraging along the sea shore. They provided more than ample time to watch and photograph. We visited one of their ancestral village sites and enjoyed a brief hike to a bluff of rock overlooking a pristine bay. There we were all instructed on how to braid a cedar bark bracelet. To close out the afternoon Cassie sang a wonderful indigenous song to the beat of her father’s gifted drum. On the way back to the dock we once again had an hour to soak in the majestic views, back dropped with snow tipped mountains in the distance. The only disappointment was that this magical 5 hour long afternoon tour had to come to an end. A huge thank you to the whole team that makes this fantastic tour possible. Once again a special thank you to Cassie and Clyde our guides and interpreters. We could not have asked for more. We highly recommend this tour. 10 plus stars ! Tim ,Heather & Dawson. NS Canada
First Nations testimony and whales
G7214MCsusanh,Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience. Very special. Our guide Janet was very knowledgeable and shared her First Nation heritage with us very movingly. Our captain, John, was also knowledgeable, highly proficient and funny. We sat Orcas and Humpback whales too. I couldn’t recommend this tour highly enough.
A wonderful afternoon whale watching
994ellenb,Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful afternoon guided by Janet and John . Bucket list sighting of Orca and Humpback whales . A great insight into Homalco First Nation culture and history .Thank you so much - a highlight of our holiday .
A magical experience!
Z2348AImatth,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I attended the People, Water, Land Tour as part of our Honeymoon, and it was one of the highlights of our whole trip! We had an amazing time, and Janet and Mark were fantastic. We saw Orcas and Humpback whales, and loved weaving the cedar wood and listening to all the stories. The whole experience was very moving and gave us a great insight into the Homaloco First Nation! P.s. this works really well coupled with a visit to the Campbell River museum beforehand!
A great, almost intimate cultural and nature experience
Rainer K,Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were lucky that we were only allowed to do the tour with our family and the Homalco team - Cassie, Ron and Don - tried very hard for us. We were allowed to share their own experiences and stories and to empathize with what they lost. At the same time they introduced us to the wonderful nature off Campbell River. We are grateful for a fulfilling day.
Amazing day out
LaunchMini,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have lived in Campbell River for 4 years now and took out first tour last weekend with out friends/guests. Having the option of sitting inside or out on the vessel ( guaranteed seating in both), was great as you can escape the elements if needed. Living here we forget how lucky we are to have this wildlife, scenery and culture so close to us. All 4 of us truly enjoyed out day on the water and land. Cassie was terrific (sorry, forgot our Captain's name) with her knowledge and sharing her family history in this area. We will continue to use Homalco W&CT in the future for trips on our own and taking other guests out to show them how special this area is. . We WILL be booking the Grizzly tour for this fall The hike is not long, but larger loose rocks to start. Wear appropriate footwear. You may get splashed with Ocean ( salt) water, so keep your camera sheltered when not in use. It is often hard to hear the guide when in the front of the vessel while moving.
Great wildlife and cultural tour
Ramillies64,Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on the morning tour (starting at 7) and were lucky to spot porpoises, humpback whales and orcas. The team was also extremely nice, with a special shout-out to Guy, our pilot, who taught us a lot about the culture and history of the Homalco First Nation. We highly recommend them.
A wonderful experience
Brian S,Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent tour if you would a balance of nature and human stories set in a stunning backdrop. Cassie and Mark made an excellent team ensuring we saw humpback, orca, porpoises and eagles, accompanied by an opportunity to learn about the Homalco community from one of their own. On the island we heard about the history of the abandoned Church Town and plans for the future. The most poignant moment came when Cassie sang a song about the women in the red dresses, which spurred me to learn more about the topic when I got back. A nice small group on a boat that could accommodate all of us seated whether we all wanted to be outside or inside. I chose this tour because it was run by a first nation and it was a great experience.
Outstanding tour of the water - land indigenous culture and wildlife tour
325zaras,Jun 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our excursion today was magnificent! The scenery was beautiful and we learned many things about the animals as well as the land. Our tour guides, Janet and Wayne were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and kind. I would definitely recommend this tour!
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Operated by Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours