Big Animal Encounters

Big Animal Encounters

Big Animal Encounters
5
Scuba & SnorkellingBoat ToursEco ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Nestled between the snow-capped mountain ranges and rugged coastline is the friendly community of Campbell River. That’s where you will find Big Animal Encounters, the most experienced and diverse marine operator in the area. Since 1994, we have been sharing our small piece of paradise with guests from around the world. From our Marine Adventure Centre we offer a wide range of wildlife adventures including: Whale Watching Tours, Grizzly Bear Expeditions, and Scuba Diving Charters. All of our crew are Transport Canada certified and trained marine naturalists. Aboard our fleet of comfortable covered vessels and exhilarating high speed zodiacs we pride ourselves on small group sizes and personalized service while maintaining the highest safety standards. Campbell River is quickly becoming known as Canada’s best whale watching destination, and during our tours we will often spot orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, eagles and more.
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
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Tours and Tickets by Big Animal Encounters
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles382 reviews
Excellent
347
Very good
22
Average
7
Poor
5
Terrible
1

Ben S
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Couples
There was a screw up with our booking and the team at Big animal encounters was there to the rescue and $100 cheaper! I would highly recommend Big animal encounters. Bill and all the team there do an excellent job. The boat was in great condition, so was the gear which we were given to wear when onboard. Our skipper ‘Elvis’ was really pleasant and gave a great tour and did his best to ensure we saw as much as possible during the 4hr tour. Overall a great experience. I will definitely be returning for a longer trip next time!!
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write about your 4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Tour. We take pride in our team, vessels, and gear and are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience. We will be sure to pass along the kind words to Captain Elvis. We look forward to welcoming you aboard again!
Written October 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jim C
Coquitlam, Canada164 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
Two days of great Scuba diving and 4 very different sites. The dives in Campbell river tend to have a bit of current so aren't for absolute beginners but you just go with the flow and watch all the critters as you drift past them.

I saw 3 Octopus out of their dens (my favourite) lots of rockfish (Yellow tail, copper, quillback, tiger and more), giant cabezons, nudibranchs and way too much else to list. The surface intervals featured, dolphins, humpback whales, sea lions, seals and bald eagles.

The staff was very professional, enthusiastic and knowledgeable of the local dive sites. They went out of their way when I had an issue with my personal gear that threatened to make me miss a dive.

Then to top it all off - on the last dive were could hear a nearby humpback whale singing to us underwater for almost the entire dive.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the amazing review, Jim! What an incredible weekend of diving it was. We're still so thrilled about the singing humpbacks. Hope to see you again in the future for more diving!
Written January 13, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Richard F
Kelowna, Canada5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
Our guide Jenn was outstanding.

Very knowledgeable in local habitat. Very good at spotting wild life for us to view. We saw dolphins, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and more.

Jenn shared lots of information about the local wild life. Feeding habits, migration paths, ecosystem changes, etc.

Our small boat had 6 passengers ,,, 2 from Quebec, 2 from Switzerland and 2 from British Columbia. Jenn smoothly shared information in both English and French. Very impressive.

We also enjoyed viewing the islands from the water.

Five stars rating!
Written August 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

François and Rinette
Langebaan, South Africa7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
We just had the most amazing, thrilling experience on our Grizzly-trip.
Jason and Randy were excellent tour guides with lots of knowledge and information to share.
Jason as well as Randy had a keen eye to spot Humpbacks and Dolphins .... he just knew how to steer and stop the boat so that we could enjoy these animals without intruding on their area.
Rocky and Tony were also excellent as our guides on land.
We will definitely recommend these tours and this company .... it was out of this world.
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write about your Grizzly Expedition with us. We will be sure to pass on the kind words to your guides! Safe travels!
Written October 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kerrie R
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Friends
Just an amazing experience, both Captain Jason and the guides Rocky and Tony with the Homalco First Nation, were awesome. The boating experience was relaxing with Captain Jason taking time to ensure we had opportunities to see the wildlife. Rocky and Tony, provided very safe experience and were interesting and informative on the ways of the Grizzlies and First Nation beliefs through story telling. Will be back in the fall of 2023
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking time to write about your Grizzly Expedition with us. We are thrilled to hear that you had an incredible tour, and will be sure to pass on the kind words to your guides! We look forward to welcoming you aboard again in 2023.
Written October 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Voyager730136
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Well your only allowed one fish under 80 cm Chinook per day. So its the regulations that are stupid it could easily be two and one over 80 cm per day. Nice boats
The charter guides Robert & Ryan were way beyond exceptional in knowledge and hospitality & the lodge staff at the Marina Jessica were way past exceptional in their helpfulness and ability to organizing the trips at Painters Lodge highly recommended charter company from my experience. Easy fishing saw some whales
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write about your Fishing Charters with Robert and Ryan! We're very happy to hear that your trip exceeded expectations, and that you even saw some whales while fishing. We hope to welcome you aboard again in the future!
Written October 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Gloria N
Campbell River, Canada3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
We set out to look for whales and got such a show. Our first encounter was with a group of humpback whales chilling in the water. At first, we thought we were looking at a big dead heat but then we saw the blows. We watched these magnificent creatures for about 15 minutes and they put on a show. Our female captain was so informative. She could answer most of our questions...even "what do their breathes smell like". We even experienced that. Pungent but amazing. Next, we pressed on and found a pod of transient orcas. It was hands down the best whale tour we have been on. This company went beyond expectations. We were celebrating three birthdays, when we returned to the dock there were birthday hats, noisemakers, and ladyfingers waiting for us. I can't thank them enough for an amazing day.
Written July 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for making Big Animal Encounters a part of your birthday celebrations. We were thrilled to have you aboard and glad that your experience with us met your expectations. Yes the Humpback breathe smells terrible!
Written July 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Les N
Russell, Canada41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
Labor Day weekend saw eight of us exploring five of the wrecks in the beautiful waters off Courtney and Campbell River. Bill Coltart from Big Animal Encounters was a superb host and Trish is rapidly getting her legs as a first class boat Captain. Pacific Seeker and Atta-Tude are great dive boats with room for all our gear and indoor comfort for those surface intervals. The diving was superb as expected, but BAE know their stuff. Humpback whales during one surface interval, a superb lunch at Lund Landing on another. They make a good weekend a great weekend. Not a diver? No worries BAE will show you the west coast waters of BC as you have never seen it before.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Les, it was great having you aboard with us again and we are glad that the diving was great. Exciting to have the number of whales in the area for exciting surface intervals as well. We look forward to diving with you again in the near future.
Written September 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ian P
Portsmouth, UK13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Solo
If you’re near Vancouver Island this is a must do activity. It’s a full 7 hours of whale spotting during the transit out to Bute Inlet, with bonus seals. Followed by 4 hours on land with the excellent guides from the Homalco people. And you will see bears, and they are close! Close enough for iPhone images (below) and if you’ve a 200-400mm lens or better you’re in for a treat. We saw 14-16 different bears, some very close but the guides are awesome and fully aware of what’s around so you’re really safe.

The tour has lunch, snacks, drinks and the team at Big Animal Encounters are incredible knowledgeable and helpful. Big shout out to Jason our skipper for the day and Shannon in the office/shop.
Written September 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write about your Grizzly Expedition! We are thrilled to hear about your Grizzly sightings and close encounters, and marine wildlife sightings on the boat ride to Bute Inlet. We will be sure to pass on the kind words to Jason and Shannon!
Written October 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

VanIslandTravellers
Nanaimo, Canada5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We loved our day on the water with Captain Shannon…..knowledgeable, safe, friendly …. enroute (2hrs) to Bute Inlet. We even caught sight of a few Orcas. At Orford River we were handed over to Kalvin ….a member of Homalco First Nations. After greeting us on the dock Kalvin welcomed us traditionally and respectfully….and warmly. Kalvin led us on the 3 hour land portion of the tour to view Grizzly bears fishing for salmon along creeks feeding into the Orford River. We saw several grizzlies….close enough but not too close …. for everyone’s comfort. We learned about the bears….the salmon….some of the trees….and some about the Homalco First Nation. It was great. Shannon made our boat ride back to Campbell River interesting and informative. A wonderful day.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the kind review! We're very happy to hear you enjoyed your Grizzly Bear Expedition with us. We truly enjoy our partnership with the Homalco First Nations and are thrilled to offer this once-in-a-lifetime tour. We will be sure to pass on the kind words to Shannon! Safe travels.
Written October 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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BIG ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2025)

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