Private Wildlife Tours

A bald eagle swoops down over water, clutching a fish in its talons, with outstretched wings and a forested, rocky background.

Campbell River BC

4 hour and 7 Hour Tours 

March - October 

Limited to 6-8 Participants

Moderate

PRIVATE WILDLIFE & PHOTO TOURS

Experience the wild coast of Vancouver Island on a private tour designed entirely around you.

With the boat reserved exclusively for your group, we have the freedom to explore, adapt to wildlife activity and changing conditions, and spend more time with the encounters that matter most to you.

For photographers, that means more time to work with changing light, positioning and wildlife behaviour without the pressure of a larger group tour. For wildlife enthusiasts, couples, families and friends, it means having the boat and the experience entirely to yourselves.

Every day on the coast is different. Whales, bears, bald eagles, sea lions and other wildlife can all be part of the experience, with the day's route shaped by conditions, recent sightings and what you'd most like to see.

Led by an experienced marine naturalist, wildlife photographer and local guide, these tours are about slowing down, observing natural behaviour and experiencing Vancouver Island's coast at your own pace.

 

Your boat. Your pace. Your experience.

FULL-DAY PRIVATE TOUR

$2,400 for up to 3 guests
Additional guests — $400 per person

Approximately 7–8 hours on the water.

Whether your priority is wildlife photography or simply experiencing Vancouver Island's incredible wildlife and coastline, the day is tailored to your group.

HALF-DAY PRIVATE TOUR

$1,600 for up to 3 guests
Additional guests — $250 per person

A shorter private experience for those looking to explore the coast, photograph wildlife and enjoy the freedom of having the boat to themselves.

 

PLAN YOUR PRIVATE ADVENTURE

nature photography workshops & Photo Tours

Workshop & Photo Tours — Where Learning Meets Adventure

Our Workshop & Photo Tours are immersive, field-based experiences designed to inspire creativity and deepen your connection to the natural world. Led by Stan Novotny, a wildlife photographer, videographer, and workshop leader, who blends education, exploration, and visual storytelling in some of the most stunning coastal environments in British Columbia and beyond.

Workshops vs. Photo Tours

Multi-day workshops are built for photographers who want to grow. These immersive experiences include hands-on instruction in the field, personalized feedback, and editing tutorials designed to elevate both technical skill and creative vision.

Photo tours focus on exploration and opportunity. Instruction is minimal, allowing you to concentrate on the experience itself—with the possibility of encountering truly epic wildlife in extraordinary natural settings.

Guided by Experience

With a deep commitment to showcasing the natural world and evoking emotion through imagery, Stan brings insight, context, and inspiration to every tour. From wildlife behavior to ethical photography, each experience is designed to help you see more, understand more, and create stronger visual stories.

Whether you’re refining your photography, exploring coastal ecosystems, or simply seeking a meaningful adventure, our Workshop & Photo Tours offer a powerful blend of learning, nature, and discovery.

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just beginning, our workshops are designed to sharpen your skills, introduce new techniques, and inspire your creative journey. Explore breathtaking landscapes, encounter diverse wildlife, and create images that tell powerful stories of the natural world.

Capture the Wild!

Join a Nature Photography Adventure
A person in a blue cap uses a large camera lens to take photos from a boat near a rocky, seaweed-covered shoreline while another person sits beside them inside the boat.

Your journey awaits...

Discover Nature Through Your Lens!

Embrace your passion for the outdoors and elevate your photography skills—join a nature photography adventure today to explore breathtaking landscapes, discover hidden wildlife, and connect with fellow enthusiasts on an unforgettable journey into the wild!

Rave Reviews...

"I went on the Eagle show tour with Coastal Workshops. Stuart and Stan come highly recommended. Both are skilled wildlife photographers and marine pilots/guides. Having these backgrounds as leaders of workshops is a huge advantage for us clients. They will always try and get you on the right side of the light if possible."

"The Eagle Show excursion was a BEST DAY! The experience of watching the eagles gather, dive bomb for hake in the rip currents was amazing! Added BONUS, stopping to watch a group of 10 humbacks feeding on krill all around our zodiac. Our captains stopped the boat to allow our group to capture some amazing photos. Extra added bonus, we stopped to observe a pod of killer whales hunting for their supper. WOW! Our 2 captains were very knowledgeable about the area, the wildlife, and provided excellent advice to our group of photographers. THANK YOU Stuart and Stan, the day was amazing!"

"What an awesome experience! Stan and Stuart got us right into all the animals we came to see, and we had a blast doing it! They were gracious and accommodating hosts, and spent time with everyone to ensure they learned and got the images they came for. I came away with a strongly positive impression of the workshop, the animals we came to photograph, and the city of Campbell River itself. Strongly recommended!"

Becoming a Hybrid Photographer & Videographer

Technology has come a long way, and today’s cameras are packing high-end cinema features into compact bodies. This is a game-changer for photographers, allowing us to seamlessly switch between stills and high-quality video. With social media evolving to prioritize video content, it’s important for photographers to learn how to create top-notch video. Here are some…