Travelling from Lund aboard the Misty Isles, we head out to Hernando Reef which is visible during low tide between Savary and Hernando Islands, where we explore the reef and all of its life, seabirds, marine plants, shellfish, sea stars and fish caught in the tide pools.
Field trips are member only, and all of our trips also require pre-registration. Some trips (e.g. alpine and boat trips) have extra costs and pre-payment for these is necessary in order to reserve a seat.
Traveling from Lund on the Misty Isles we head out to Mitlenatch Island, a protected Provincial Nature Park since 1961. The island hosts the largest seabird breeding colony in the Salish Sea as well as an abundance of sea lions, seals, river otters, fish and sedentary marine life in the surrounding waters.
Field trips are member only, and all of our trips also require pre-registration. Some trips (e.g. alpine and boat trips) have extra costs and pre-payment for these is necessary in order to reserve a seat.
A group of 16-20 people will be shuttled by helicopter to an alpine location overlooking the Eldred valley for a day of alpine exploration.
Field trips are member only, and all of our trips also require pre-registration. Some trips (e.g. alpine and boat trips) have extra costs and pre-payment for these is necessary in order to reserve a seat.
Have you been up to the head of Powell Lake recently? Are you interested in a lake cruise? If so, then join leaders Nancy Pezel and Tom Koleszar for an all-day boat trip up Powell Lake!
Field trips are member only, and all of our trips also require pre-registration. Some trips (e.g. alpine and boat trips) have extra costs and pre-payment for these is necessary in order to reserve a seat.
Field trips are member only, and all of our trips also require pre-registration. Some trips (e.g. alpine and boat trips) have extra costs and pre-payment for these is necessary in order to reserve a seat.
Travel to Smugglers Cove Marine Park, a small picturesque Provincial Park 16 km north of Sechelt. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the cove on an interpretive trail (approx. 4 km return) which includes signage of the local history and flora and fauna.
Field trips are member only, and all of our trips also require pre-registration. Some trips (e.g. alpine and boat trips) have extra costs and pre-payment for these is necessary in order to reserve a seat.
Travel to Newcastle Island and spend the day exploring the island
Field trips are member only, and all of our trips also require pre-registration. Some trips (e.g. alpine and boat trips) have extra costs and pre-payment for these is necessary in order to reserve a seat.
At the Saltery Bay dock, 12 Club members embarked on a Sunshine Coast Tours boat captained by Bryce Christie for an afternoon tour of Jervis Inlet and the Skookumchuck Narrows. The day was mostly sunny, but somewhat cool – there was fresh snow on the mountains!
T. Koleszar
From Saltery Bay we went up into St Vincent Bay,
Oyster farm at St. Vincent Bay T. Koleszar
then across lower Hotham Sound to the Harmony Islands Marine Park and Freil Falls.
The view up Hotham Sound T. KoleszarA closer look at Freil Falls T. Koleszar
The up-close view of the falls was quite spectacular!
A side view of the falls – there was a lot of water! T. Koleszar
We then proceeded across Jervis Inlet to Egmont for a short shore break, and afterwards on into the main event: the Skookumchuck Narrows and Sechelt Rapids!
We passed some seals on a small island T. Koleszar
The rapids were flowing at 12 knots, so the waves and whirlpools and eddies were quite amazing.
Looking up the main channel T. KoleszarThe main standing waves T. KoleszarA small channel of the rapids T. Koleszar
The drop in water levels from the top of the rapids to the lower side is very obvious and not what we’re used to seeing on the ocean!
Water level drop in the smaller channel is clear!T. Koleszar
We had just a touch of rain at this point, but the bright rainbow over the eastern shore made up for it.
Rainbow over the eastern shore T. Koleszar
The return trip took us along the shore of Nelson Island and back into Saltery Bay.
It was a great trip and Captain Bryce was a very good tour guide, ably describing everything we were seeing along the way.
The entire group was very happy with their afternoon out on the water, and I think we’ll likely run this trip again soon!
Presenter: Dr. Mark Hipfner (ECCC Research Scientist)
Dr. Hipfner has devoted his career to understanding the utility of seabirds as indicators of the health of marine ecosystems on Canada’s Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific coasts to inform conservation planning. The Salish Sea Gull Project is part of an Environment & Climate Change Canada program to monitor marine birds as indicators of the health of the Salish Sea. The Salish Sea is an important wintering area for marine birds and is facing increasing pressure from urbanization, population growth and marine transportation. Along coastal B.C., Glaucous-winged Gulls are abundant, generalist foragers, and they eat similar seafoods as people, making them excellent monitors and indicators of ecosystem health. To date, researchers have banded and sampled over 800 Glaucous-winged Gulls to learn about their health, contaminant levels, habitat use and movements throughout the Salish Sea and beyond.
In July 2024 five Malaspina members hiked this 56 km highland trail that National Geographic bills as one of the most beautiful trekking trails in the world. Hiking hut to hut for 5 days, they were treated to incredible views of colourful rhyolite mountains and gorges, volcanic mountain slopes, lava fields, glaciers, natural hot springs, black sand arctic deserts and at the end of the hike, lush forested and flowered valleys. The presentation will also include their additional week travelling around the island on the Ring Road.
