PHOTOS: Quiet Vancouver Island neigbourhood disrupted by sea lions
Published 5:30 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Sea Lions have found a new place to hang out at a beach in Deep Bay, north of Qualicum Beach.
It was an exciting, unprecedented occurrence for residents along Deep Bay Drive. However, once the word got out, the quiet rural neighbourhood on Mapleground Point at the end of Deep Bay Drive has had to endure hordes of visitors from all over Vancouver Island wanting to see the rare spectacle. They came from Victoria, Mill Bay, Nanaimo, Duncan, Ladysmith, Parksville, Comox and also from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Hundreds of sea lions are seen basking in the sun on the sandy spit, with others making big splashes in the water while they wait for the herring run to begin.
People can approach them and the sea lions don’t seem to mind the attention.
Environmentalist Tom Watson of Victoria, who takes photos as a hobby, went to Deep Bay with three of his nature-loving friends from Mill Bay, Duncan and Nanaimo, curious to see the barking creatures huddled up close.
“I love nature and therefore when an opportunity like this happens, and you know, you’re a photographer, you take memories where you can have them,” said Watson.
A couple from Sault Ste. Marie, who are vacationing in the region, considered the presence of the sea lions a big treat. They said, “it’s a nice, wonderful experience.”
The sea lions can also be seen frequenting the rock mound breakers at French Creek Marina where they lie, sleep, frolic in the water and also bathe in the sun. Their deafening barks echo in the area, drawing significant attention from shutterbugs and curious walkers in the area.
