Snorkel, Kayak, and Seal Adventure: Vancouver Boat Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Our Snorkel Adventure is a true West Coast experience just minutes from Vancouver on this exciting 5-hour excursion. Snorkel in the stunning Howe Sound, then head toward the Pam Rocks seal colony for a glance at these gorgeous sea creatures. Slip into a wet suit and strap on some snorkel gear for a dip in the sea. For those who prefer to stay in the boat, there's also a 'sightseeing only' option. All snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and light snacks are included.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please note: There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. 'Sightseeing Only' option cannot operate without enough divers or snorkelers.
Guests must be able to swim
Guest weights, heights, and shoe size must be shared with staff at time of booking.
Trip operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. If canceled due to poor weather, an alternative date will be suggested.
Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian
Children under 19 must have waiver signed by parent or guardian
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
All snorkel equipment including wet suits
Professional and friendly staff to guide guests in water
Light refreshments and snacks
Transportation to/from Horseshoe Bay
Parking fees in Horseshoe Bay
Gratuities
What To Expect
Snorkel while observing Vancouver's resident harbour seals during this 5-hour adventure boat tour! Board our boat from Horseshoe Bay with your adventure guide, where we'll take you by boat to the local seal colony. Slip into the provided snorkel gear and wetsuit, then dive in for an up-close experience with seals, following their lead! Snorkel around the bay and the rocks, experiencing the marine environment while in a 40ft customized vessel. A sightseeing-only option is available for those passengers who wish to stay dry on the boat. All snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and light snacks are included. Please note this tour is created for sightseeing only, we do not encourage interaction with the seals. However, seals all have unique personalities and some may swim right up to you to have a closer look! In these events we encourage all adventurers to simply stay still and let the seal do it's thing. All snorkelers must agree and abide to our marine protection guidelines before entering the water.
Options
Sightseeing Only
Sightseeing Only : This option is great for people who wish to stay on the boat and not partake in snorkelling or kayaking.
Snorkel and Kayak Adventure
Hop on this multi-activity adventure and snorkel, kayak, or try a SUP. View seals in their natural marine environment!
Reviews
265 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sea Dragon: When the Ocean Invites You Over for Tea
AndyCMartin,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Howe Sound doesn’t waste time reminding you that cities are accidents of geography and that nature is still the landlord. Twenty minutes out of Vancouver, you’re in seal country, and the seals don’t care about your schedule, your snorkel mask fogging up, or whether your GoPro battery is dead. They have fish to chase and naps to take. And yet — they’ll swim under your kayak, nibble curiosity into your oar, and look you in the face as if daring you to remember who really belongs here. Sea Dragon is the vessel that makes this intrusion feel almost polite. The staff know that wetsuits are instruments of both comedy and claustrophobia, so they help you wriggle in with the patience of saints. The boat is clean, the gear is solid, and the promise of hot soup afterward is the kind of detail that feels like grace. Safety isn’t lip service; it’s baked into everything, which is why even the nervous first-timers find themselves slipping off the boat into water they never imagined they’d enter. And what happens next is the miracle of proximity. Seals everywhere: pups bobbing up like mischievous bath toys, adults rolling in the surf, one bold face surfacing inches away, as if to remind you this isn’t an aquarium. This is the wild, and somehow you’ve been allowed to join it for an afternoon. The mountains close in around the Sound, glaciers feeding the water that feeds the fish that feeds the seals that, for a few hours, feed your sense of wonder. It was so good we did a second Snorkel, Kayak, and Seal Adventure with the Sea Dragon folks. Because honestly, when nature serves you cake, why not ask for seconds? Same seals, same mountains, same wetsuit gymnastics — but the encore felt even sweeter. Like déjà vu, except with more whiskers and better soup. Sea Dragon doesn’t just run tours. It runs interference between human routine and the truth that wilderness is not far away, not locked up in documentaries, but sitting right at Vancouver’s doorstep — whiskers, waves, wetsuits, and all.
Book This Tour Immediately - You Won’t Regret It
MaryLynn S,
Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the most incredible experience! The guides were so nice and very knowledgeable. Also Kevin was a great sea captain. The seals were adorable and very playful! One jumped up in my husband’s kayak and another nosed and softly bit at my kayak paddle playing with it. The snorkeling was also super fun and it wasn’t too cold since we had the wetsuits. Plus they provided hot chocolate and soup once we got back on the boat. Overall the experience of a lifetime and would recommend this tour a million times over!
The best day
Heidi O,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of the most enjoyable holiday experiences we have ever had. We Ubered there from downtown Vancouver, and bused back (super easy). From our first glimpses of Horshoe Bay we were excited, it's gorgeous! The team taking the tour were super friendly and helpful, and the experience itself was one we will remember for a lifetime. The scenery is absolutely stunning, the seals are adorable, and we even saw a humpback whale! If you love the water, and animals, do this tour!
Cool and captivating experiences!
J E,
Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had so much fun! Kevin, Jude, and Monique were so friendly and knowledgeable. We got very close to the seals when snorkeling, then got to approach some more while kayaking. Hot soup and snacks were a great way to warm up after. Then ending the day with a jump of the top of the boat was super fun. Thank you all for a wonderful experience!
Absolutely first class experience
X5328YNjohns,
Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Quite simply, we enjoyed every minute of this adventure: excellent administration of our booking; very good quality equipment; careful briefing; great boat; lovely soups, hot drinks and snacks; great team; wonderful snorkelling with seals; lovely team; and stunning surroundings. We could not have asked for more.
Amazing experience!
Celine B,
Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience! We went out on the boat on a sunny day. Stopped at two different seal colonies. The guides were very respectful and showed us how to behave in the water. Not too close to the seals with a good distance and they might come to us by curiosity. Some were curious and played with our fins whilst some of them just swam in the water. It was amazing to see them in their natural habitat. Snacks were provided as well and the guides answered all the questions we had. It really was an amazing experience
So much fun swimming with...
Rachael G,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00So much fun swimming with seals is great for the soul and the company was lovely. Wildlife is unpredictable but we had an amazing experience and having a hot chocolate after each swim was great. Highly recommend
An experience you'll remember for a lifetime
N8599WLgabrielb,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My partner and I had SO much fun doing this tour. We got quite close to the seals both snorkeling and kayaking, and we got to stay to watch them for quite a while. On our tour the seals didn't engage with us too much (although a couple swam around us to watch us from behind), but we saw them barking and swatting at each other quite a bit which was fun to see. We saw lots of birds at one of the stops, and I also saw a jellyfish while kayaking which was really cool. The staff were friendly and helpful, and obviously enjoy doing the tours. Getting to jump off the top of the boat at the end was an amazing surprise - so much fun! One addition that I think would be cool is talking a little bit about the seals (or other wildlife we might see) on the boat before going out to see them - what are some of their habits/common behaviours, do they live in the harbour year-round, what do they eat, etc. I highly recommend doing this tour - it was among the top highlights of our trip.
Great experience and...
Avital R,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience and amazing hosts! Would definitely recommend to anyone! Make sure to get there at least 30 minutes before the said time.
Best day ever
N2727KHmicheled,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The staff was so great and the seals were the stars. Some in our group got up and close. I could have touched one but that's not allowed. It was magical. They also let you jump off the boat at the end. A spectacular day. Book it. You won't be sorry
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