Ocean Week Canada is an annual national celebration, held on the week of World Ocean Day (June 8th) — this year, it will be celebrated from June 1-8th. BC Marine Trails is committed to supporting and promoting events and educational activities relating to ocean stewardship around this time period. We aim to highlight how the extensive network of marine trails in British Columbia connects us to the ocean environment — and how we can protect it. Join us in raising public awareness and celebrating our connection to BC’s coastal areas.
BCMT encourages community partners, paddling clubs, and individuals to host stewardship events in the days leading up to, or during, Ocean Week Canada. Participation could range from hosting a community-wide cleanup, to internal events specifically for employees or members (like guides cleaning up frequented sites at the start of the season!). Events do not need to take place during June 1-8 — just in the general range.
Hosting a WOW event is a powerful way to contribute to a global movement, inspiring positive change and promoting sustainable practices. It’s also an excellent opportunity for team building and enhancing your organization’s environmental image.
How to participate
Lead or join a shoreline cleanup
Lead or join a shoreline cleanup through your organization, on your own, or with friends! Need help getting started? Contact us at scutcliffe@bcmarinetrails.org
1. Choose a coastal area near you that would benefit from a cleanup.
2. Decide on a date and time during (or close to!) World Ocean Week (June 1-9) for your event.
3. Register your event with us below to receive support and resources.
4. Provide BCMT with content during your event to share on our platforms. (For example, outfitters that do yearly cleanups with guides — we would love to see it!)
Submit a site condition report
SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! BCMT’s map is an invaluable resource — but did you know that it runs on user data? Share data from the event you host or join — or your personal clean up. For outfitters, get in touch if you are interested in your guides continuing to share site condition reports (SCR) throughout the season or check out our Coastal Caretaker Program.
In your Site Condition Report make sure to include a photo showing your actions in returning the site to its natural state (removing debris, dismantling a fire ring above high tide, etc.).
Did you know that Site Condition Reports from other users are now visible on the BC Marine Trails Member Map? Check it out today!
What We Provide:
Support and guidance in organizing and executing your cleanup event.
Promotion of your event on our website and social media platforms to boost visibility.
Your leadership can make a significant impact on preserving the beauty and health of the coast. Let’s join forces to make this World Ocean Week a monumental success through everyone’s efforts to reduce marine pollution!
Helpful Resources
- Find a local cleanup through Ocean Wise
- Surfrider’s ‘How to lead a beach cleanup‘
- BC Marine Trails Code of Conduct
- Locations of Ocean Plastic Depots
- Download the ArcGIS Survey 123 app to easily submit SCRs from the field
Register Your Event
2025 Ocean Week Canada Events
Check back as this list will be updated frequently!
Vargas Island Marine Debris Cleanup
- Vargas Island
- Class 3 Paddlers
- May 27-31
- Vargas Island
- Class 3 Paddlers
- May 27-31
This 5-day trip will be a circumnavigation of Vargas Island with stops at most of the major recreation beaches. At each stop we will work as a team to collect any marine debris that has accumulated & package it for later removal. On Ahous bay, we will meet with the Ahousaht Guardians and the Ahousaht Secondary school kids to do a joint beach clean of this sprawling west facing beach. Participation requires expertise navigating class 3 waters — hazards include: swell, boomers, surf landings, surf launches.
Yarksis Beach Clean
- Vargas Island
- 12 Volunteers
- June 1
- Vargas Island
- 12 Volunteers
- June 1
A water taxi assisted beach clean of Yarksis Beach (Kelsemaht) on the east coast of Vargas Island is planned for June 1st from 10:30am to 3:00pm.
Tofino Water Taxi has generously donated round trip travel for 12 volunteers – spaces are filling up fast!
For more information / to register, reach out to marciec@live.ca
Quadra Island Beach Clean Dream Team
- Quadra Island
- All Welcome
- May 31, June 1
- Quadra Island
- All Welcome
- May 31, June 1
The Quadra Island Beach Clean Dream team meet each Wednesday in the spring to tackle different areas of debris accumulation on Quadra. On May 31st and June 1st, the team is request volunteer support in sorting the spring’s collected debris! On both days, the event will take place from 10am-2pm on the intersection of West Road and Industrial Way.
Reach out to quadrabeachclean@gmail.com to get involved with weekly cleans (each Wednesday!), or the sorting events during Ocean Week.
Port McNeill Waterfront Cleanup
- Port McNeill
- All Welcome
- June 2nd, 6pm
- Port McNeill
- All Welcome
- June 2nd, 6pm
On June 2nd, at 6pm, join the Port McNeill Sparks, Embers, Guides and Pathfinders and The Town of Port McNeill to clean up out waterfront to celebrate Ocean Week Canada!
- All are welcome to join
- Bags and gloves provided
- Help keep our ocean clean!
- Meet at the Vistor’s Center
- For more information contact cwoo@portmcneill.ca
Kayaking the Great Bear Sea with Susan Conrad
- Victoria
- All Welcome
- June 3rd
- Victoria
- All Welcome
- June 3rd
Join Pacific Wild for an inspiring evening diving into Canada’s developing Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Network in the Great Bear Sea.
The event will feature Susan Conrad – expedition kayaker, adventurer, and recent Fellow of The Explorers Club. Susan will share a dynamic presentation on her 2022 solo paddle through the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest from the San Juan Islands to Sitka, Alaska.
Coastal Caretaker Information Session
- Zoom
- All Welcome
- June 5th, 7pm
- Zoom
- All Welcome
- June 5th, 7pm
We are offering an information session to give existing and new Coastal Caretakers an opportunity to bring forward suggestions, ask questions, and learn more about upcoming opportunities:
Site Condition Report Planning – the companion to trip planning.
How paddlers can support respectful recreation within First Nations’ Territories.
West Ballenas Island – Pilot Project update for summer visits.
Marine debris drop zone updates.
Feedback, ideas, questions from Coastal Caretakers.
George Fraser Islands Cleanup
- Ucluelet
- All Welcome
- June 11th
- Ucluelet
- All Welcome
- June 11th
Hello Nature Adventure Tours is hosting a cleanup of the George Fraser Islands, a short paddle from the Ucluelet Harbour! Guides and volunteers are heading out on June 11th from 8:30am-3pm.
Kayaks provided for volunteers.
Email adventures@hellonature.ca to signup, or call (250) 726-2035
Protect
With increasing use of outdoor recreation areas, it is more important than ever that we be proactive in protecting these areas to ensure we have continued access.
Care
The BC Marine Trails Code of Conduct was specifically developed to promote respect and care of our sensitive marine environments. It is equally applicable to all watershed areas along the coast.
Respect
Every time we leave a launch site and a paddling destination cleaner than we found it, we are adding to a positive view of our paddling community. Every time we pack a pair of gloves and a bag to collect debris when we head out for a paddle, we show we are ready to act!