COMOX AIR TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Heli Herring Spawn: A four-person, boat-to-helicopter spectacle over Comox
A private FunShip experience that combines three hours on the water with a 20‑minute helicopter lift for an unmatched aerial view of the wild herring spawn.
Heli Herring Spawn: A four-person, boat-to-helicopter spectacle over Comox.
Off the coast of Comox, FunShip pairs a small-group boat outing with a short helicopter flight to place you inside one of the coast’s most chaotic wildlife events: a wild herring spawn teeming with whales, sea lions and seabirds. After three hours on the water witnessing the frenzy at sea, guests transfer on to a remote beach and take a 20‑minute helicopter ride above the action for a final, bird’s-eye perspective—3.5 hours of sea spray and sky-high views.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A living, breathing spectacle of whales, sea lions and seabirds
The spawn draws thick concentrations of marine life; expect close encounters with whales, rafts of sea lions and clouds of seabirds during the three hours on the water.
Beach-to-heli lift with full Magnum P.I. energy
The trip culminates with a transfer from the boat onto a remote beach, where guests board the helicopter for the aerial segment—an intentionally theatrical change of vantage.
Twenty minutes above the spawn
A 20‑minute helicopter ride, operated in partnership with 49northhelicopters, lifts you above the spawn for final expansive perspectives that drone users would otherwise try to capture.
What the day feels like
What the experience feels like
The outing is a compact sensory arc: three hours of immersion on the water amid the furious activity of the herring spawn, a boots‑on‑sand transfer to a remote beach, then a 20‑minute helicopter ascent that reveals the scale of the event. Operated by FunShip in partnership with 49northhelicopters, the sequence is designed for private groups and trades long itineraries for a concentrated, high‑impact encounter.
THE WILDLIFE
A living, breathing spectacle of whales, sea lions and seabirds
The spawn draws thick concentrations of marine life; expect close encounters with whales, rafts of sea lions and clouds of seabirds during the three hours on the water.
THE TRANSFER
Beach-to-heli lift with full Magnum P.I. energy
The trip culminates with a transfer from the boat onto a remote beach, where guests board the helicopter for the aerial segment—an intentionally theatrical change of vantage.
THE AERIAL VIEW
Twenty minutes above the spawn
A 20‑minute helicopter ride, operated in partnership with 49northhelicopters, lifts you above the spawn for final expansive perspectives that drone users would otherwise try to capture.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The full experience runs about 3.5 hours total: roughly three hours on the water followed by a 20‑minute helicopter flight.
You don’t need to bring a drone—the helicopter provides the aerial view—and expect sea spray during the on‑water portion.
The trip is operated by FunShip in partnership with 49northhelicopters; contact the operator to book this private, four-person experience.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Heli Herring Tour?
The full experience is 3.5 hours: about three hours on the water plus a 20‑minute helicopter ride.
How many people can join one tour?
The experience is offered to private groups and is limited to four people.
Is the helicopter flight included?
Yes—after the on‑water portion guests transfer to a remote beach and take a 20‑minute helicopter flight as part of the itinerary.
Do I need to bring a drone for aerial photos?
No—operators emphasize that you don’t have to pack a drone; the helicopter provides the aerial perspective.
What wildlife might I see?
During the on‑water portion you can expect to see whales, sea lions and large numbers of seabirds drawn to the herring spawn.
How do I book the experience?
Contact the operator to reserve the Heli Herring Experience; the listing directs interested travelers to call to book.