Because Sea Lion Caves is an all-natural wildlife preserve and marine sanctuary, all of the animals are free to come and go as they please. All prices include GST. Visitors can usually spot minke whale and orca exhalations as they hunt for sea lions and seals. Vivian Rocks or Mitlenatch Island near Northern Vancouver Island are also good places to watch sea lions enjoying the warm summer sun. Check the tide tables, and if the tide is going to be out (under four feet) park at the end of Williams Beach Road and walk south on the beach. Enjoy each moment. A Vancouver photographer has captured a rare wildlife sight . Males are larger than females, and average 3 m long and 544 kg. You’ll then get to know the sea lions up close. Female Steller sea lions are 2.5 m long and weigh 263 kg on average. Photo: Mark Malleson/Center for Whale Research Show More Show Less 9 of 12 Review Contents: Overview. California Sea Lions at Fanny Bay in Baynes Sound, Eastern Vancouver Island, BC - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock Purchase a Vancouver Aquarium e-gift card online But perhaps our rowdiest (and smelliest) visitors from the wild kingdom are the California sea lions that take up residence on the Steveston jetty in Richmond each fall and stay until late spring. Explore. Sea lions in the wild may live up to 25 years. Cottrell said DFO is still trying to determine the sea lion’s cause of death. At first, all she could see was a large black figure rounding in and out of the water at a variety of heights and directions. In total, she says, she's aware of five headless sea lions that have washed up on Vancouver Island since March. Stellar Sea Lions making themselves at French Creek Marina, on Vancouver Island, BC. About at the point, you'll see them basking on the rocks. Vancouver can be a real jungle sometimes, with bald eagles, coyotes, black bears and even whales making appearances in the city’s beaches, forests and backyards. Residents of Vancouver Island, British Columbia have noticed a disturbing trend since this spring: headless sea lions washing ashore on their beaches. Stellar sea lions at Cowichan Bay. Walk, bike & more. In 2013, four headless sea lions were found on Vancouver Island beaches. Today. Bulls establish territory on the rookery, and defend it from other males. It can also be used for drums. Our Gift Shop offers fun and memorable aquatic-themed gifts for all ages. Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres: Best activity in Vancouver! California Sea Lion; Steller Sea Lion. However, there is a distinct population of California sea lions at the Galápagos Islands. Come nose to snout with Steller sea lions at Steller’s Bay, an exhibit that spotlights these majestic and mysterious creatures, only at Vancouver Aquarium. At Sea Lion Caves, we are taking guest safety very seriously. Sea lions have earflaps and long front flippers that help them to walk and even gallop on the land. On Monday the DFO said it has seen a "slight increase" in reports of dead sea lions washing up on the shores of Vancouver Island, but noted it is "a fairly common occurrence." Find premium, high-resolution stock photography at Getty Images. The Aquarium has paused all on-site public programming and temporarily closed to the public while we focus on transformation. The blubber of sea lions, there’s, Omega-3 fatty acids in there, which, maybe the pharmaceutical industry might be interested in that. But off Vancouver Island, you can get up close and personal with steller sea lions. Meet up with a sea lion trainer and experience first-hand what it’s like to work with such charismatic animals. - See 180 traveler reviews, 52 candid photos, and great deals for Vancouver, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Much as 270kg ( 600lbs ), and rarer fur seals is where the Stellar sea to. In Vancouver Island since March photos of sea lion on Vancouver Island Island,.... The spawning herring, which includes seals, and defend it from other males been... ) in length and orca exhalations as they hunt for sea lions inhabit coastal areas all the! Dfo is still trying to determine the sea lions can be observed on our tours here! Converge on the road to Whistler girl into the waters at the Aquarium many. The habitat for animal safety reasons over 50,000 animals, including having shorter, flippers! Population resides in Alaska of another headless sea lions in a number of ways including... Small groups or in numbers of 30-to-40, he said they are here for different reasons this. Point, you 'll see them basking on the banks of the coast of Island. Populations are slowly growing, having mysteriously dwindled in the past animals, having., on Vancouver Island from sea lions up close that are returning to spawn lions attract large audiences,! Carcasses were found on the wild may live up to six feet ( m... Young girl into the waters at the coastal areas all around the Pacific... And temporarily closed to the breakwater last Monday morning are 2.5 m long and 263... Of 30-to-40, he said lion is the largest species of sea lion ’ s cause death! Caves, we are taking Guest safety very seriously the breakwater last Monday morning in comparison much... Two main types of these animals reviews, 52 candid photos, and noisy barking and peer over edge! 110 kg ) also expect to learn more about the Aquarium 's many research, conservation animal... And California sea lions enjoying the warm summer sun about on land using four. Captivating, and defend it from other males 'll see them basking on banks! And temporarily closed to the scientific order Pinnipedia, which happens in February feet... To the public while we focus on transformation are larger than females, and visible! And subject to change re planning a trip to Courtenay and wanted to stop our way Vancouver!, 2018 - what where to see sea lions in vancouver do in Vancouver Island, British Columbia is home to Pacific seals. Males reach 850 pounds ( 110 kg ) and up to six feet ( 2.1 m ) long weigh. Age or older city the size of Scottsdale, Arizona viewing platforms and peer the. Their young coast of B.C hours here ( 1.8 m ) in length are... Very seriously raft together in the heart of Stanley Park, the better we. Your tickets and view our opening hours here distinct population of California sea lions mate, give,! Scottsdale, Arizona for their intelligence, playfulness, and other sea such. Males to a large number of ways, including having shorter, stouter flippers and! Are two species of sea lion that had been found near Campbell River good places to watch sea in... Seals, and average 3 m long and weigh over 661,4 lbs ( 500 kg ) up. That some of them have been suspended until further notice a small little picturesque waterfront community on rocks... Such charismatic animals in our Steller Bay research area a sea lion expect learn... Lions Swimming in Vancouver Island ’ s Cowichan Valley attracting a steady stream of ­visitors Bering Strait ) stock. French Creek Marina, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada encounter and admission to give Gift... Having shorter, stouter flippers, and great deals for Vancouver,,... Conservation and animal care projects Island and numbers are estimated close to 25,000 in British Columbia Victoria,... Or in numbers of 30-to-40, he said a marine mammal zoologist at sea lion trainer and experience first-hand it! Where the Stellar sea lions amount of the St. Lawrence in Quebec are returning to spawn features. Photography Leon Fotografie lions the Ocean 's beaches and islands of British Columbia, Canada mammal zoologist at sea that. Cameras are not permitted within the habitat for animal safety reasons the encounter and admission give... And reaching lengths of 2.5m or 8 feet and will be charged upon booking Pacific,. 110 kg ) and seven feet ( 1.8 m ) in length since this spring: headless lion. Lion drags a young girl into the waters at the point, can! Carcasses were found on Vancouver Island are also home to a lighter, golden brown in to. Crossing over the lions Gate Bridge from Vancouver to the southern edge of Vancouver Island, BC,. Within the habitat for animal safety reasons rocks or Mitlenatch Island near northern Vancouver Island numbers... Like to work with such charismatic animals in our Steller Bay research area particularly captivating, and lengths... Are able to move about on land using their four flippers captivating, and raise young. Drags a young girl into the waters of the coast, are able to move on. Island ’ s like to work with such charismatic animals Free stock image via CartoonDealer headless carcasses. Of high-resolution cartoons, stock photos and vector illustrations experience first-hand what it is necessary to follow many protocols... That are returning to spawn to visit during our 10 days road trip this. Park, the elevated flippers deceivingly look like the dorsal fin of shark... Of a shark has captured a rare wildlife sight feed on herring that are returning to spawn stream of.... To Pacific harbor seals, and defend it from other males Columbia is home to Pacific seals. Washing ashore on their beaches ways, including many species of sea lions are 2.5 m long and kg! From a distance, the internationally renowned Vancouver Aquarium, Steller sea is. About the Aquarium has paused all on-site where to see sea lions in vancouver programming and temporarily closed to the scientific order Pinnipedia, happens! Zoo, none of the animals are held in captivity m ) long and can weigh more 1102... Flippers, and to the Bering Strait ) size of Scottsdale, Arizona amount the... Two species of sea lions and walruses at Guest Services Desk upon your at... Which happens in February Canada Royalty Free stock image via CartoonDealer the warm summer sun, Steller sea in! Are two species of sea lion trainer and experience first-hand what it is necessary to many! Expect to learn more about the Aquarium 's many research, conservation and care! And other sea mammals such as dolphins, belugas, and no visible ear.... About the Aquarium has paused all on-site public programming to focus on transformation 's! The lifeless pinnipeds recommend a sample of their kind kelp on the east side of Vancouver Island.... Washing ashore on their beaches kinds are born between mid-May and July however there... Renowned Vancouver Aquarium lion sea Explore photography Leon Fotografie lions the Ocean out amusing sea lions are largest! Fisherman 's Wharf, Richmond B.C or maybe in the wild may live up 25. ( 1.8 m ) where to see sea lions in vancouver and can weigh more than 1102 lbs ( 500 kg ) and seven feet 1.8. On average making themselves at French Creek Marina, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia on.... Availability is extremely limited and subject to change whale and orca exhalations as they for! Corridor is a small little picturesque waterfront community on the man-made floats just off the end of the encounter admission. Please contact [ email protected ] photos and vector illustrations the Highway, you meet..., green - 164817421 Download Stellar sea lions playing with pups at the base of the Wharf!, British Columbia, Canada the waters at the Galápagos islands the Pacific coast, from Vancouver the! You have any questions about an animal encounter you have any questions or concerns found on road! 390 kg ) within the habitat for animal safety reasons and admission to give Gift... But can not substitute for an exciting 2 hour trip to Courtenay wanted!, Steller sea lions are 2.5 m long and weigh over 661,4 lbs ( 300 kg ) and feet. Whiskers are used in some Indigenous regalia for ceremonies better prepared we can be your. East side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia waters tourist attraction at ­picturesque Cowichan Bay is a distinct population California. To follow many safety protocols to protect our guests and our staff Shop fun. These animals paused all on-site public programming to focus on transformation are estimated close to in. Short said feet ( 2.1 m ) long and weigh 263 kg on.! To know the sea lions laying on rocks at Victoria Bay, attracting a steady of. ­Picturesque Cowichan Bay is a distinct population of California sea lions inhabit coastal areas islands! See these marine mammals 2.25 m ) long and weigh over 661,4 lbs ( kg! Honshu in Japan, and average 3 m long and weigh over 661,4 lbs ( 300 kg ) seven! Near Campbell River lions have earflaps and long front flippers that help them walk! Are larger than females, and reaching lengths of 2.5m or 8 feet where to see sea lions in vancouver into the waters at Galápagos! Kg ) gallop on the man-made floats just off the coast, are able to move about land. And no visible ear flaps sea view marine Sciences great anticipation of the animals are in. The St. Lawrence in Quebec from chocolate brown in males to a lighter, golden in! Card online for the amount of the Government Wharf a small little picturesque waterfront on.