• Snorkeling with the Stars in Desolation Sound

Snorkel with the Stars!

Warm Pacific water & prolific marine life make snorkeling a key part of the Desolation Sound experience

Snorkel with the Stars in the warm waters of British Columbia’s Desolation Sound

Desolation Sound is famous for its abundant marine life and unusually warm Pacific temperatures, where you can experience Colourful Sea Stars, Spiny Red Sea Urchins and Pacific Sea Cucumbers up close as you drift easily with the meandering tide.

‘Snorkeling with the Stars!’ with Powell River Sea Kayak has been chosen by the Canadian Tourism Commission as a Canadian Signature Experience, and wherever you go in Desolation Sound, the snorkeling combined with the warmest water temperatures on the BC coast is a memorable experience.

Comparable with the Best in the World

Jacques Cousteau, the famous diver and explorer, often frequented the waters of this area. He considered the diving in these parts to be second in the world only to the Red Sea. This is certainly a valid testimonial.

Snorkeling allows us to focus on areas that offer excellent wildlife viewing and habitat, known as the “Intertidal Zone”. This zone is located between the lowest tides and the highest tides, and contains a vast diversity of species compressed into what is essentially a narrow band, which allows incredible viewing of a high amount of marine life just below the surface!

One area in the marine park is so prolific our guides have dubbed it “The Aquarium”. At this site, the current moves like a very slow river, ushering in plankton and nutrients to feed the many creatures that inhabitant the area. Most of the marine life lives in shallow waters, allowing for optimum viewing – especially when snorkeling!

A man with a mask and snorkel finds a Giant Pink Star in Desolation Sound
Red sea urchins in the intertidal zone seen on one of our Okeover kayak tours

What Will I See?

The areas we snorkel is home to a large variety of intertidal creatures. While most areas in Desolation Sound offer great snorkeling, over the years we have identified key areas that are especially rich and diverse.

The most common creatures we encounter include Giant Sunflower Stars, Purple Stars, Mottled Stars, Leather Stars, Blood Stars, Painted Stars, Gumboot Chitons, Pacific Sea Cucumbers, Orange Sea Cucumbers, Shield Back Kelp Crabs, Spiny Red Sea Urchins, Green Urchins, and Plumose and Aggregating Anemones.

Seals are the most common mammal in this part of the marine park, but early season tours can also sometimes see California and Steller Sea Lions hauled out on rocks and swimming powerfully beneath the surface!

Check out our extensive wildlife page to get a grasp on the incredible amount of life found in Desolation Sound, as well as to learn a little about some of the key species found here (and maybe even impress your guides in the process!)

Quality & Comfort while Snorkeling

As with our kayak and camping equipment, we want to make sure our guests are 100% safe and comfortable. We therefore provide everything needed to ensure safe and enjoyable snorkeling.

At Cabana Desolation Eco Resort, we provide shorty wetsuits, masks and snorkels.

Although little swimming actually occurs (the current, wetsuits and fins do the work), it is mandatory that each guest be able to swim.

Two young guests get ready to snorkel in Desolation Sound