Photos by Abby Cooper
Sea Dog Expeditions was born from the desire to explore the raw, rugged, expansive and often inaccessible BC coast. With thousands of islands, inlets, bays and glacially-carved fjords, the Salish Sea, Howe Sound and South Coast have countless hidden and beautiful nooks to explore—including wildlife and natural wonders, secluded beaches and empty hiking trails.
Sea Dog Expeditions is a marine transport and tour company. They exist to help adventurers reach secluded climbing and hiking trails, empty beaches, and hidden coves. Whether it's a day trip to Bowen Island or a week in the backcountry, they provide the planning and guidance needed to explore the remote corners of coastal British Columbia that few ever get to see.
We recently caught up with owner and operator Addison Farr to see what they’ve been up to, and what they have planned for 2025!
Looking Ahead: Plans for 2025
What’s on the horizon for Sea Dog Expeditions in 2025? Any exciting new routes, tours, or projects in the works?
Hi Joe! I’m really excited for 2025, it has started with more commercial marine style work (Think: fisheries surveys, marine rec-site surveys & work, water & sediment sampling projects) but as we hit those couple of sunny, warm days in April we’ve been booking out traditional tours, transport jobs and some remote work both up the coast and in the interior!
It looks like there will be quite the variety of work we get to do this year. On the tour front, I’m excited for some collab events that are kind of out of the ordinary. Painting? Sunset socials? Catch & Cook dinners?
What’s your vision for how Sea Dog Expeditions will continue to evolve?
I want to stay true to the original concept of helping individuals, groups, non-profits and other companies access the ocean & sound as best I can. It’s been be a little bit of a balancing act as the business is growing but thankful all our partners and clients understand what we’re trying to do.
Challenges of Operating in a Marine Environment
What are some of the biggest day-to-day challenges of running a marine transport and tour company?
It would defiantly have to be managing the weather and marine access. Squamish unfortunately has quite poor marine access being an ocean front town. There are some bottle necks in getting out and exploring the sound from poor launch facilities, parking, lack of moorage and regulations. Its getting better and there are a number of individuals that are doing a lot with very little resources to improve access for all. We actually have an ocean front park again which is very cool!
It’s one of the reasons why I started Sea Dog. I would look out at the Sound and Salish Sea and imagine exploring all the nicks and crannies but I found it was a pretty difficult thing to do.
How do you handle the wear and tear that the coastal environment puts on your gear and equipment?
Oh man…the coast batters our gear. In the winter its unrelenting rain, sea spray, cold weather, ice. Come summer its sea spray, heat, abrasive rock, sand, uv rays. Theres no escaping the harsh conditions, it a slow attritional battle against mother nature haha.
Those new RUX bins with the rubber tops have been pretty clutch keeping our equipment and layers dry and out of the elements. We’re currently working with MSI (marine stewardship initiative) on the herring spawn mapping project, the bins have been keeping our dive gear and warm layers dry even when literally EVERYTHING else is wet. Even something simple like “wow my croissant sandwich isn’t soggy today” haha!
What are some of the trickiest logistical hurdles you’ve had to overcome when operating in such challenging locations?
Weather can be unpredictable on the BC coast—how do you plan for and adapt to changing conditions?
Mother Nature is unpredictable for sure, shifting winds, rain, tides and currents are all a difficult thing to work around. I spend A LOT of time looking at the marine forecast. There is no real substitute for actually being on ocean and getting an intimate understanding of what these certain bodies of water like to do, they have seasonal habits. Most guides, commercial fisherman and skippers can read the water and weather and make informed decisions if they’ve spent enough time out there. You need to be malleable.
I try to be completely honest with clients like: “today it might be nasty out there” or “We taking an alternative route back to port” I like to be prepared for anything, It kind of how I operate.
Coolest Things Seen on the Water
You’ve probably had some incredible moments out on the water—what’s one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ve had?
This season we had some special moments with hundreds of pacific white-sided dolphins. Our crew was out on a herring spawn survey and this pack of dolphins spent hours swimming around the survey sites hunting bait fish, socializing and playing near the boat, Quite the impactful day!
Have you encountered any rare wildlife or unexpected natural wonders?
You see some pretty incredible things off the West side of the island. It’s a different world off shore. Warm blue water mixes with cool coastal waters and attracts some very unique wildlife. On a commercial fishing trip we ran into: Northern right whale porpoises, albatross, off shore orcas and blue sharks all in glassy calm waters. The sun sets, winds pick up and the next morning were fishing in the biggest water I’ve ever experienced pulling tuna in while the fishing boat surfs down the face of a wave. (Shout out to Dylan for handling the Cold Fish as if she was a sport boat) Wild country out there!
Is there a particular location along the coast that still takes your breath away, no matter how many times you visit?
Átl’ka7tsem Howe Sound is our home water and it really is a stunning fjord. I feel very lucky to have been able to see it in so many different lights with such great people.
Desolation Sound though, wow! I would recommend that stretch of coast to everyone. It lives up to its name. No houses, very little commercial or industrial activity, warm waters & big mountains. I would say if you can swing a trip in the off seasons its worth it to beat the summer crowds.
How Sea Dog Expeditions Uses RUX
How does RUX fit into your operations? What kinds of gear do you typically store and transport with it?
It’s become an every day carry if we’re working on the water. During fish survey season we keep: warm layers, dive gear, lunches, etc. Usually one dedicated to dry gear and one dedicated to the wet gear its a pretty good system for working in a small space.
I’ve started to utilize one for miscellaneous gear that I always try to keep on hand and easy to access. Binoculars, note & logbooks, spare radio and tools, warm layers, dinner and cook ware if were going ashore for lunch or a little fireside cook up.
Has RUX helped solve any specific challenges you face out on the water?
Keeping gear out of the elements and organized for sure! Our main vessel is open and a comparatively small space so it’s been a real asset to be somewhat organized while we’re surveying or out on a tour with guests.
Are there any creative or unexpected ways you’ve found to use RUX during your expeditions?
Wetsuit Storage, hauling cookware or firewood, camera or survey gear. It's a pretty flexible system.
“Its like a beautiful pair of cargo shorts!” - Addison Farr
