If you’ve joined us on a tour with The Whale Centre, you may have spotted a raft of sea otters drifting peacefully in the kelp. It’s a moment that feels timeless—but their presence here is actually part of a powerful comeback story.

Sea otters once thrived along the entire coast of Vancouver Island, playing a vital role in keeping marine ecosystems healthy. Today, they’ve returned to areas like Clayoquot Sound—but only after disappearing for nearly a century.