The Annual Herring Spawn
Experience the breathtaking spectacle of nature's annual marvel in the Comox Valley
Those who witness the Pacific Herring spawn along the shores of Vancouver Island and its neighbouring small islands experience a rare spectacle, awe, and a pull to make an annual visit. I speak as someone who knows, having made the Hornby Island Herring Festival an annual occasion in our household—often with intrigued friends who’ve heard me celebrate its wonder in tow.
A sure way to witness the first signs of spring, the Comox Valley has been one of the most consistent places to view the herring spawn year after year. It’s a visual phenomenon, although there is also the smell—rich and salty—and the sound of gulls squawking is a constant accompaniment. The pristine coastal waters of the Salish Sea turn milky turquoise from the male herring’s milt. Marine life—orca, humpback whales, seals, eagles—gather to feast on roe and fish. It is a deeply immersive event well worth making the trip for—drawing many wildlife photographers, enthusiasts, and scientists to the shoreline, whether Valley residents or visitors.
The best time to see the herring spawn
The Pacific Herring spawn usually begins in early March, although those with keen eyes will watch for the first signs from late February. The best time to visit the Comox Valley to see the herring spawn is usually after the first weekend in March—around this time, there is usually a large amount of wildlife in the area, and potential sightings of that milky white water to witness. Nature is of course following its rhythm and schedule, and both the start of the herring spawn and its peak can differ year-to-year by a few weeks.
Take a herring and wildlife tour
The best way to witness the Pacific herring spawn on Vancouver Island is to head out on the water with a local tour or wildlife guide. Being on the ocean gives you a superior vantage point while operators are respectful of marine viewing regulations that will minimize disruption to both the spawn itself and the feeding frenzy that follows it. There are all kinds of marine vessels to head out on—from zodiacs with carbon-neutral Wild Waterways Adventures or the fittingly named S.S. Funship red and yellow glasscraft, to intimate small boat charters with Island Pursuit Sport Fishing and Cliff’s Chinook Charters, and sailing excursions.
New this year is the introduction of several photography tours and workshops that keep conservation and respectful wildlife encounters at the forefront of their trips. Hornby Island-born wildlife photographer, Kali Wexler, will be offering an intimate 4-day photography tour and is also open for private bookings. A fantastic way to experience the spawn from a local guide who knows the area intimately and has been documenting the spawn for over six years. Local sailor, photographer, and conservationist, John Kelsey, has also teamed up with photographer Taylor Burk to offer two separate workshops aboard the Shambhala and on land with plans to host them again in future years. A local photographer, Catherine Babault, offers unique photo workshops throughout the year, including daily photo tours in March where participants can capture images of the wildlife that can be found here during the herring spawn.
If you’re keen to curate wildlife viewing opportunities yourself, the best place to go is our waterfront parks and trails: from Royston’s Seaside Trail and Goose Spit in Comox to beaches like Kye Bay, Seal Bay, and Kitty Coleman. To the south, you can also catch the ferry to Denman Island and Hornby Island from Buckley Bay. Keep in mind regulatory wildlife viewing distances, and stay on the trails in our parks to protect our fragile shoreline ecosystems.
Author: Camilla Sampson
