Pacific Herring Photography Tour

VANCOUVER ISLAND AND CAMPBELL RIVER PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Experience one of British Columbia’s most spectacular wildlife events with our Pacific Herring Photography Tour — a seasonal adventure along the east shore of Vancouver Island. Join expert guides in the Comox Valley for immersive field-based workshops focused on capturing dramatic scenes of herring spawn, marine life, and coastal ecosystems through your lens.

2026 Pacific Herring Spawn Photography Workshops | Comox Valley, British Columbia

Five black oystercatchers with bright orange beaks are flying over the water, framed by blurred blue mountains in the background—setting the scene for a wild bear adventure nearby.

Pacific Herring Photography Workshops Steller Sea lion haulouts

Comox herring photography tours Five otters rest closely together on seaweed-covered rocks near the water’s edge, looking alert and surrounded by a misty, natural shoreline.

A dolphin swims just below the water’s surface, creating a splash as it breaks through the waves in the ocean.

Herring Spawn photography Tours. Two black oystercatchers with bright orange beaks and yellow eyes fly side by side over water, with blurred blue mountains in the background.

A spotted harbor seal rests on a large gray rock surrounded by blue water and other rocks, with a blurred background of more seals and rocks.

Vancouver Island Herring Spawn. A large group of sea lions are crowded closely together on rocks by the ocean, with some looking alert and others resting. The sky is overcast and the sea is calm in the background.

Comox herring tours, Double crested cormorant in flight

Comox herring tours. A large bird of prey with mottled brown and white feathers descends to land on rocky terrain, wings spread wide and talons extended, with a foggy, gray sky in the background.

A seal with wet fur swims at the water's surface, its head emerging and water splashing around it. The background shows calm, blue water.

Pacific Herring Photography Tours offer access to one of the most dynamic marine ecosystems on the British Columbia coast.

* Pacific herring photo tours run in the first two weeks of March each spring.

Each spring, the Pacific herring return to the waters of the Comox Valley, triggering one of the most important ecological events on the British Columbia coast. This seasonal herring spawn fuels an extraordinary concentration of life, drawing Bigg’s orca, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, dolphins, bald eagles, and vast numbers of marine birds to the nearshore waters of eastern Vancouver Island. Our Pacific Herring Spawn Photography Workshops are timed to this eruption of biodiversity, offering photographers rare access to dynamic predator–prey interactions, dramatic marine bird activity, and the interconnected food web that makes this region one of the most biologically productive marine ecosystems in the Salish Sea with spring peaking in biodiversity.

What you will see

In the rich feeding grounds around the Northern Gulf Islands the spring herring migration creates dynamic predator-prey encounters throughout the coastal ecosystem. Depending on the day, you may witness Bigg’s orca hunting seals and sea lions, biologically diverse Steller sea lion haulouts, large rafts of marine birds and Bald eagles diving into offshore schools of herring.

Travelling aboard a high-speed open zodiac allows us to cover a wide area and respond quickly to wildlife activity reports, giving photographers access to a diverse range of scenes—from intense feeding action to sweeping coastal landscapes—within a single five-hour adventure.

What you will learn on this workshop

Led by a professional wildlife photographer, this small-group workshop provides hands-on instruction in real coastal conditions. You’ll learn how to work with changing light on the water, choose the right camera settings for fast-moving wildlife, and position yourself for the most compelling angles and natural behaviours. The experience also covers composition, ethical wildlife photography practices, and an understanding of seasonal wildlife patterns, along with simple editing tips to help you bring out the best in your images after the adventure.

Don’t want tips and guidance, but want to hang with other photographers, no problem! You come as you are.

Comox Adventure Details

2026 Herring Spawn Photography Workshops

Expert Photography Guide Blair Denman

Blair provides hands-on guidance throughout the tour, helping guests refine their technique, anticipate wildlife behavior, and capture stronger images in real-world conditions on the water.
Expert WWA Boat Guides & Naturalists

WWA guides and naturalists bring over a decade of experience working in these coastal ecosystems and supporting wildlife photographers in the field. Their local knowledge of the region, tides, light, and animal behaviour helps position guests safely and respectfully for the best possible viewing and photography opportunities.
8 Guests Max.

Small-Group, High Visibility, Ethical Wildlife Photography.
Duration 5 hours.
Depart from Comox Valley Marina
Whale Wise practices.
Respectful distances.
Sustainability-focused operations.
Snacks & hot drinks.

Homemade cookies, granola bars, *organic tea & coffee, hot chocolate.
Sanitized Mustang Survival Suits, Toques/Beanies, Light Gloves & Goggles, Dry Bags are provided.

Want to curate your own photography tour with WWA, contact us to learn more.

*WWA donates a portion of the proceeds to the Conservancy of Hornby Island to help maintain ecological integrity.

Rates & Additional Information

Pacific Herring Photography Tours

Adventure Rates and Associated Costs

Adult: $255 + $3 conservation fee, booking fee and taxes.
15% Fuel Surcharge
Gratuities are customary in Canada, but not included in rates and are at your discretion if you choose to tip your guides.

What to bring

Warm layers. Neck warmer or face mask. It can be colder in March.
A reusable water bottle (water provided).
Rain Gear is a good idea on rainy forecasts, if you have it to wear under floater suits provided. Rain gear is not a requirement.
Don’t forget your camera gear, memory cards (charge your batteries)!

Departures

We depart from Comox Valley Marina at 11am. This departure time is subject to local weather. We will contact you if there are any changes.
Please come 20 minutes prior to departure.

Bathroom Breaks

There are accessible washrooms at the beginning and end of all tours and at Fords Cove on our break. We do not have washrooms on the boat on Comox tours.

Cancellations due to weather

On early season adventures the weather can vary. If the tour cancels due to weather there will be a full refund, or we will rebook to a different day that works.