Encounter The Magnificent Sea Lions of Vancouver Island

Sea lions are a type of pinniped with large chests and bellies, external ear flaps, the ability to move on all fours, long foreflippers, and short, dense hair. They include the Otariidae family of ear seals, together with fur seals. Vancouver Island has been known as one of the permanent habitats for sea lions in Northern America. So, Vancouver Island is the ultimate destination for a great sea lion-watching experience. All you have to do is to book a whale-watching tour and mention a sea lion encounter or sighting on your form. Then, assign the rest of it to Vanisle Wildlife to fulfill your desires regarding the best whale watching ever. The Steller sea lion, which may weigh 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and reach a length of 3.0 m, is the biggest (10 ft) and happens to be the most frequently sighted sea lion species on Vancouver Island. Thus, you are provided with a chance to see the biggest sea lion on the planet right here on Vancouver Island.

The Steller Sea Lion is the biggest species of sea lion in the world, and when observed from our boats, it definitely looks (and sounds!) magnificent. They are somewhat swift and nimble on land and extremely quick and agile in the water because of their short, light tan-coloured fur and giant, dark brown flippers. The majority of sea lions on Vancouver Island are Steller sea lions, which are thought to number close to 25,000 in British Columbia. Though you will probably watch them from a boat because they appear to prefer solitary rocks and little islands, they may be spotted across Vancouver Island. While the Steller sea lion population in the east has been constant at around 39,000 over the past few years, it has quickly fallen in the west. The bulls fight among themselves to keep a harem of females and can defend a territory for up to sixty days. A single pup's gestation lasts about a year, and pups can nurse for up to two years. Women have been reported to live up to 30 years.

The intelligence, playfulness, and canine-like barking of California sea lions are well recognized. Although females are frequently a lighter golden brown, their colour tends to be chocolate brown. They have a canine-like face, and males grow a bony growth on top of their skulls called a sagittal crest at the age of five. With age, a male's head top frequently becomes paler. These members of the Otariidae, or "walking seal" family, walk on land using their enormous flippers and external ear flaps. For over one-fourth of the length of the body, the foreflippers are long and paddle-like. The foreflippers' surfaces are leathery and bare and have tiny claws. Also substantial are the hind flippers. As the trained "seal" in many circuses, this playful species is well recognized. As a result of decades of harvesting for meat and oil, and as a result of challenges to the commercial fisheries, the population is growing.

Among many other appropriate rocky islands, they can occasionally be found on the rocks next to the ferry route via Active Pass and at Race Rocks close to Victoria. Sea lions congregate on the east side of Vancouver Island from December to April to eat herring that are returning to breed.

Other than that, you may expect to see sea lions while you are on whale watching trips or even walking along the beaches of Tofino, Ucluelet, Campbell River, Telegraph Cove and probably other coastal cities around Vancouver Island.

In the winter and early spring, travelling single male Steller and California sea lions congregate around Vancouver Island to catch the last of the herring and salmon runs. The enormous bulge on their foreheads and their dark brown colour make California Sea Lions, which may weigh up to 900 pounds, easy to spot. They follow the ancestors' trails to this historic spring feeding area, travelling from California and Alaska. Sea lions concentrate on the east side of Vancouver Island from December to April to eat herring that are returning to breed. Both species have been easy to identify among the log booms at the pulp mill in Harmac, and farther north, near French Creek, the herring spawn may provide an incredible wildlife display.

Come to Vancouver Island where you can easily spot sea lions chilling on the beach.

California sea lions and their other Vancouver Island counterparts, Steller sea lions, are similar in size and colour, but the former can be mistaken for the latter during whale watching tours. In comparison to the male California sea lion, which may weigh a maximum of 400 kg, the Steller male's maximum weight of 2500 lbs (1120 kg) is significantly more (900 lbs). With a maximum weight of 450 kg (1000 lbs), the female Stellers can be closer to the male California sea lions. Still, the Stellars' pale colour contrasts with the California’s' dark, chocolaty hue. Compared to California sea lions, whose vocalizations sound more like bark, Steller sea lions' low-frequency roaring calls are closer to those of a roar.

At the southernmost point of Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, there is a small, charming beachfront town called Cowichan Bay. It's a tranquil little town (sleepy as in calm, not dead and dull) where many artists and cottage industries are located, surrounded by wineries, animals, fishing boats, and floating houses. One of the densest places to for sea lion watching when they actually emerge on Vancouver Island.

The migratory male California sea lions and Steller sea lions, which congregate on Vancouver Island throughout winter and spring to dine on late salmon and herring runs, are of special interest at this time of year. According to marine mammal legislation, boaters are forbidden from approaching marine animals or engaging in actions that upset them. A disturbance is defined as anything that causes an animal's natural behaviour to vary.