BBC names BC locale as one of the world's best places to see wildlife

Just under a four-hour trip away from Victoria, BC, is Saturna Island, a locale bestowed quite the honour thanks to its wildlife.

The third edition of Planet Earth, the renowned BBC documentary, was released on October 22 on BBC One.

Producers, directors, researchers and camera operators behind the iconic series told Conde Nast Traveller their favourite places to see wildlife around the globe, and the BC spot came up.

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Saturna Island is located just east of Pender Island, close to the marine border between the US and Canada, with Stuart Island in America just to the southwest of it.

Estelle Cheuk, an assistant producer for the series, wrote the blurb on Saturna Island for Conde Nast Traveller.

“More than 50% of this island is protected, making it a haven for wildlife,” Cheuk wrote.

Cheuk stated how the oceans are pretty ferocious even on still days “because the tides force huge amounts of water across an underwater sill that sits just offshore and is the height of Niagara Falls.”

Because of that force of nature, lots of plankton are brought to the surface, making it a hot spot for creatures that feast on it, like birds and whales.

The article mentions East Point as one of the best whale-watching spots on the island, as killer whales are prevalent, swimming close to the island’s sandstone cliffs between late spring and fall.

“So close, in fact, you often hear their blows before you see them!”

While whale-watching tours might be the most celebrated of BC’s wildlife excursions, Planet Earth creators came to Saturna Island to film — believe it or not — garter snakes.

Wildlife that visitors can spot that makes the BC spot one of the best adventure destinations include bald eagles, oystercatchers, killer whales, humpback whales, harbour seals, sea lions and, yes, garter snakes.