Hours of operation

The station is closed to the general public from September to May except for special events (see calendar) and privately booked tours (see below). 

We are open to drop-in public visitors daily in the summer from the May long weekend until the September long weekend.

Special Open House Event

As part of the Brant Wildlife Festival, we will be open to the public for one special day!

Friday April 4th:    10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Join us to celebrate the annual migration of Brant Geese through our area, and the wonders of the marine ecosystems that support them. Along with our own aquaria, touch tanks, lab tours and station activities, our marine education partners will be on hand to share their knowledge and passion for marine education.

The 2025 Brant Wildlife Festival, hosted by the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region, takes place from Friday April 4th through Monday April 7th. See festival details and event schedule at brantfestival.bc.ca.
The Brant Wildlife Festival brings together thousands of people each year to celebrate nature. The festival hosts a multitude of events in the Spring that connect people with nature, educate people of all ages on topics of conservation, and celebrate the incredible biodiversity our region has to offer.

Special temporary exhibit - Pentlatch Fish Trap Panel

We are excited to share that we are providing a temporary home to a unique 550 year old Pentlatch fish trap panel while it undergoes restoration. This panel was installed in July 8th, 2024, and we anticipate that it will be on site well into 2025.

We thank local First Nations for sharing this incredible cultural object with us as it undergoes restoration, and encourage visitors and interested people to learn more about Pentlatch cultures at K’ómoks First Nation and Qualicum First Nation.

Interested in seeing this unique, temporary exhibit?

While we are closed to drop-in visitors from September to mid-May, we do provide special opportunities to view and learn about the panel.

• OPEN HOUSE: As part of the Brant Wildlife Festival, we will hold an open house on Friday April 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See the Deep Bay events calendar for details.
• Private groups of at least 10 and no more than 30 people can book a Guided Station Tour online.
• School visits: however school field trips are fully booked for spring 2025.

About the station

Deep Bay Marine Field Station is a unique research and education facility serving faculty, staff and students from Vancouver Island University. 

Nestled in the heart of Deep Bay along the southern reaches of Baynes Sound, the station's dual focus is aquaculture research and marine science education. Oysters are the main research subject, and aquaculture research at the station continues year-round.

During the academic year from September to May, on-site educational programming is limited to K-12 school classes, pre-booked tours for groups of ten or more, and special marine science events. If you are a teacher interested in bringing your class to the station, you can find out more at the link below.

During the vibrant summer season, spanning from the May long weekend to the end of the first weekend in September, we open our doors to the general public seven days a week. Engaging touch tanks, captivating aquaria, and enlightening exhibits stand ready to unveil the marvels of local marine life. You can also take a peek into our research labs from the viewing mezzanine and gain insights into ongoing research that revolves around shellfish aquaculture.

At the Deep Bay Marine Field Station, knowledge knows no bounds, and curiosity finds its home.