About People Water Land: Indigenous Village & Whale Watching Tour
TOUR AT A GLANCE
- For curious, cultural adventurers who want to travel off the beaten track
- On this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, sea lions and black bears and to use your hands for cedar weaving
- Available May through October
- Half-day (5-hour) guided tour
- Depart from Campbell River in the morning or afternoon
- Heated boat with indoor and outdoor seating and toilet facilities
- Lunch, snacks and beverages included
- Appropriate for ages 8 and up
- By taking this tour, you’re supporting an Indigenous-owned and operated social enterprise dedicated to community and environmental stewardship.
The uninhabited village of Aupe, or Church House, is a place of bountiful fishing and clam beds. The last Homalco people left Aupe in the early 1980s, but the area is still rich with stories and memories of our people.
Join your Homalco guide for a unique wildlife and culture tour across the Salish Sea to the majestic mouth of Bute Inlet. You’ll get hands-on with cedar bark (Taχəmay) while learning to weave your own cedar bracelet, and you’ll hear traditional stories, language and legends.
The Homalco people, also known as the “people of the fast-running waters,” have been stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial. We invite you to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors and see the majestic beauty of these lands through our eyes.
For similar tours with more of a wilderness focus, please see THE DELUXE GRIZZLIES & CULTURE TOUR, GREAT BEARS OF BUTE TOUR or the TOBA BEARS & WILDERNESS TOUR
Book an Indigenous
Eco-Adventure
Tour Details
- All participants must be physically capable to walk off vessels onto land
- 5 hour tour
- Heated and covered boat with onboard toilet
- Snacks and refreshments are included
- Minimum age: 8 years old (all passengers aged 8 to 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult 19+)
- Check in: 7:00am and 1:00pm (Afternoon)
- Disclaimer: Time and tour components subject to change based on safety considerations and weather
What to Bring
- Hiking shoes with good grip
- Trails can be slippery - walking poles recommended
- Warm layered clothing and rain gear
- Sun hat or hat (toque or beanie)
- Water bottle to help us in our efforts to reduce single use plastics
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Curiosity and a smile :-)
Most Memorable Day!
Amazing tour! From the get go everyone involved was friendly and personable. The boat itself is great-got us around the Discovery Islands through beautiful channels and water ways. The option to be inside or outside was great. My friends and I enjoyed the heritage and language learning. It was a great tour!
TripAdvisor.comWhat People Are Saying On TripAdvisor
Most Memorable Day!
Amazing tour! From the get go everyone involved was friendly and personable. The boat itself is great-got us around the Discovery Islands through beautiful channels and water ways. The option to be inside or outside was great. My friends and I enjoyed the heritage and language learning. It was a great tour!
TripAdvisor.com
Awe Inspiring
This was an absolutely incredible experience. Our guides shared their culture and the stories that have been passed down and told through many generations. They also included personal experiences to make the places we were seeing come alive. Their passion makes the tour second to none. This tour was everything I hoped it would be and would highly recommend it to everyone!
TripAdvisor.com
Best of the best!
An absolutely incredible experience. Truly once in a lifetime. I’m so grateful to our guides for sharing their culture and the stories that have been passed down and told through many generations. I can’t wait to tell anyone who will listen how good it was and to bring my family and friends on tours there as soon as it’s safe for them to come visit!
TripAdvisor.comYOUR CONTRIBUTION TO CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
The ecosystem in and around Homalco territory is unparalleled in its beauty and rich diversity – but it’s also incredibly sensitive. It’s our responsibility, as stewards of these lands and waters, to play our part in protecting the natural environment for generations to come. By joining us on a wilderness or cultural tour, you are directly contributing to the Homalco First Nation’s conservation and sustainability efforts. For more information, visit our Conservation page.
CANCELLATION POLICY
We know that plans can change. That’s why you can cancel at no charge up to 48 hours before your scheduled tour. Unfortunately, we can’t issue refunds for tours cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice. Please contact us directly at 250-923-0602 to cancel.