Snorkelling Adventures Around Vancouver Island

Discover an epic world beneath the kelp canopy.

Sara Ellison is the author of Snorkelling Adventures Around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands: The Ultimate Guide, published by Harbour. This guide has been a Number 1 best-seller on Amazon and ranked in the top ten best BC books of 2023. Sara's underwater photography has won several awards and has been featured in numerous online and print venues, including Canadian Geographic. She is an experienced and popular public speaker, having presented across five continents in three languages.

The ultimate guide for snorkelling around Vancouver Island

Regardless of whether you are a seasoned cold water snorkeller or an absolute beginner, this book is an essential companion for anyone who wants to explore Vancouver Island's intertidal zone. The guide explains the necessary equipment to stay warm in our chilly waters, provides detailed information for over 50 locations and is jam-packed with colour photos that will allow you to identify many of the critters that you spot along the way. Find a copy in your local stores or buy it on Amazon.ca!

Workshops

I have delevoped a series of class-based 1.5 hour workshops that can be offered either in person or on Zoom. Upcoming dates are listed, or contact me if you would like to arrange a one-on-one or private group session. All workshops come with the opportunity to buy my guide book with a 10% discount.

Introduction to snorkelling around Vancouver Island

Want to take the plunge but not sure where to start? In this workshop I'll cover all you need to know about the right gear to keep you warm, teach you to identify of many of the species you'll see, and give you tips on the best locations around the island.

Upcoming dates:
Contact to arrange.

Introduction to underwater photography for snorkellers and freedivers

Developed specifically for snorkellers and freedivers, this course introduces basic photography concepts, provides an overview of camera and accessory choices and offers advice on specific camera set-ups. The course focuses on the use of the Olympus TG camera, but the content is widely applicable to anyone wanting to get started in underwater photography. We will also cover best practices in composition and basic post-processing to make the most of your snaps.

Upcoming dates:
Contact to arrange.

Invertebrate identification

From seastars, to nudibranchs and anemones, there is a lot to see in the north Pacific Ocean! This workshop will delight and educate in equal measure with colourful photography and fun facts for more than 50 of the most common intertidal invertebrate species. Even if you don't want to get your feet wet, this workshop is also perfect for beach-combers and tide-poolers.

Upcoming dates:
Contact to arrange.

Nudibranch identification

BC is home to many tens of species of brightly coloured and fantastically shaped nudibranchs, and they have some amazing super-powers to boot! In this workshop, I will cover identification of many of the species you can find in the inter-tidal, provide tips on how and where to find them and share some fun facts along the way.

Upcoming dates:
Contact to arrange.

Contact Etc

To contact me or find out more about past events and press coverage, see below.