Salish Sea & Me
Stanley Park
Let’s celebrate the many life-giving attributes and rich resources that the ocean has provided Coast Salish peoples since time immemorial.
Coast Salish peoples have shared a profound and enduring connection with the Salish Sea for thousands of years, a relationship that has shaped a beautiful culture, identity and way of life. By highlighting and embracing these Indigenous values, knowledge and practices we welcome a more resilient path towards environmental stewardship, climate resilience and reconciliation.
This experience highlights the key concepts of:
Stewardship of our land & oceans through action & accountability
Exploration of seaweeds & seagrasses
Stories of the creatures in the sea and their connections to each other
The history of the Coast Salish Peoples and their relationship to the Ocean
Indigenous Science & advocacy for their rights
Environmental impact on our oceans, sustainability, responsibility, & reconciliation
Wellbeing, health benefits, medicinal properties, and community
What to Expect
Each Salish Sea & Me experience is a conversation with the shoreline; a meeting between land, water, and the people who have walked here for generations.
Guided by a Talaysay Cultural Ambassador, you’ll explore the rich ecosystems of the Salish Sea, learning how Indigenous communities have lived in balance with these tides for millennia.
Your journey begins with a land acknowledgment and a gentle orientation to the relationships that connect us to this place. As you walk along the coast, you’ll discover how the rhythms of the ocean, the forests, and the seasons sustain life; from shellfish and seaweed to towering cedars and the medicines found among them.
Through stories, teachings, and sensory invitations, you’ll gain insight into traditional harvesting practices, sustainable technologies, and the deep cultural teachings that remind us to live with respect and reciprocity.
This tour is interactive and reflective. You’ll be invited to notice patterns in the sand, the textures of rock and seaweed, and the songs carried by the wind and waves. Together, we’ll explore what it means to be in relationship with the natural world, and how each of us is part of the larger story of the Salish Sea.
Every tour concludes with a cup of Indigenous tea; a moment of gratitude, connection, and conversation.
Where We Meet
We gather for Salish Sea & Me at Second Beach in Stanley Park, near the Ceperley Park Washrooms and picnic area; a beautiful meeting place between forest, sand, and sea. This location offers accessible parking, nearby washrooms, and plenty of shaded seating while you wait for the tour to begin.
Our walk begins along the Seawall, one of Vancouver’s most iconic waterfront paths. From here, we make our way toward English Bay, moving through a landscape where forest meets shoreline. Along the way, your Talaysay Cultural Ambassador will share stories and teachings about the Salish Sea; its ecosystems, its significance to Indigenous communities, and the reciprocal relationships that sustain both people and place.
When the tide is low, we take time to explore the intertidal zone, uncovering seaweed, shellfish, and small marine life that reveal the richness of coastal biodiversity. This hands-on exploration becomes a gentle scavenger hunt that encourages curiosity and respect for the living shoreline. Guests are invited to participate in a brief beach clean-up, practicing care for the land and waters we walk upon.
This tour blends storytelling, learning, and stewardship in one of the most scenic and ecologically diverse stretches of the Salish Sea.
Accessibility: The route follows a flat, paved path suitable for most mobility aids, with short sections on packed sand during low tide.
Before Your Tour
What to Bring
Good walking shoes
Layered clothing - dress for the weather
A water bottle on warm days
A water resistant jacket on rainy days
Weather Information
We operate our tours and programs in the rain.
The company reserves the right to cancel when extreme weather and wind impacts safety.
Guest Protocol
Tours start promptly
Arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start
Late guests or missed tours are not reimbursed
Individual booking cancellation: 48 hours notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Group booking cancellation: 10 days notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Cancellations with less than the required notice are 100% non-refundable
