Breathtaking Ocean Eco Tours & San Josef Bay
BREATHTAKING SAN JOSEF BAY
Vancouver Island, with a reputation for tempestuous weather and tricky access, excels in wild, lonesome beaches and is known for its rugged coastline, soaring trees and abundance of wildlife. It is also home to one of the best beaches in the world according to a new list complied by travel experts. San Josef Bay is a spectacular wilderness beach in a protected bay, with rugged boulders and bordered on all sides by towering pines. It has been described as "breathtaking" and "one of the most incredible unspoiled beaches you will ever see" that should be on every "must-visit" list.
San Josef Bay on northern Vancouver Island was on 2023's World's 50 Beach Beaches Ever list, and Lonely Planet recently named San Josef the #1 best wilderness beach in Canada.
If you are looking for an unforgettable day in unspoiled nature, serenity and peacefulness this ocean trip along sheltered waters to San Josef Bay is for you. This area is often described as a “paradise”. Whales, including orcas, humpbacks and grey whales as well as porpoises (or dolphins), rafts of sea otters, bears, deer, eagles, cormorants and more are all frequent visitors to Stephens Bay and the Holberg Inlet. You can watch and photograph the wildlife or scenery from the boat. Of course, there are no promises that you will see all of these sea creatures and animals in a short boat trip as wild creatures have their own schedule.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to travel on the ocean by boat from the Stephens Bay pier at Coal Harbour (outside of Port Hardy) along the sheltered, pristine Holberg Inlet. The San Josef Bay trailhead is approximately 19 kms from Holberg. The trailhead to San Josef Bay is very well maintained and is easier to walk than many trails on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
At San Josef Bay Tours, our mission is to provide our customers with an unforgettable sightseeing experience. We believe that travel is a way of life, and we are dedicated to helping our customers discover new places, cultures, and traditions. Our goal is to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Our Tours
We offer a wide range of northern Vancouver Island ocean sightseeing tours including San Josef Bay, Stephens Bay at Coal Harbour (near Port Hardy), Port Alice, Quatsino, the Holberg Inlet and Telegraph Cove that cater to different interests and preferences providing guests with a memorable and engaging experience.
Our vessel is known for providing safe, comfortable ocean going transportation. The Captain was with the Canadian Coast Guard (Fisheries & Oceans) for over a decade, and certified by Transport Canada (marine division).
San Josef Bay Ocean Tour
SAN JOSEF BAY DAILY SAILING SCHEDULE
Schedule is approximate and is subject to passenger consensus on whether to delay to observe or photograph wildlife or scenery (or to catch prawns or crab).
Departure Stephens Bay to San Josef Bay:
1. Tour boat departs Stephens Bay pier at Coal Harbour at 11:00 a.m.
2. Pick up guests at Stephens Bay Oceanfront Inn at 11:05.
3. Arrive at Holberg dock at 11:30.
4. Arrive at San Josef trailhead at 12:00
Departure San Josef Bay to Stephens Bay
1. Passenger pickup at San Josef trailhead at 5:00 p.m.
2. Leaves Holberg dock at 5:30 p.m.
3. Arrive Stephens Bay pier at Coal Harbour 5:30 p.m.
PRICES
Round Trip: 149.00 per person
One-Way: 89.00 per person
2025 Schedule: June 15 to October 15