Your adventure begins in the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Center where an informative guide will give a brief lecture and show a short video about the famous discoveries made in the local area. Then, it’s a tour of the exhibit galleries to see the actual specimens and reconstructed casts of the Puntledge elasmosaur, the tylosaurus and other discoveries from local rivers and shorelines. Other vertebrate fossils, such as mosasaurs, turtles, and fish; along with the invertebrate fossils of shelled animals that lived in the warm, shallow ocean surrounding Vancouver Island 80 million years ago are also on display.
=0D=0A=A short 10 minute drive and an easy 5 minute forested walk brings you to one of the many beautiful fossil sites along local rivers. Here, you’ll experience the thrill of hands-on discovery. After a brief discussion about the history of the site and proper collection techniques, participants will have a chance to find a fossil of their very own. Hammers, chisels and goggles will be supplied. You can keep any fossils that you find on the tour. If the species is of scientific value, you may be asked to donate the fossil to the museum collection, with the finder’s name attached.
=0D=0A=Due to the popularity of the tour, pre-bookings needed for the fossil tours. You will require your own transportation to the fossil site.
=0D=0A=Daily – 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm
=0D=0A=Pre-booking is required for all tours. Payment in full is required at the time of booking. 48 hours notice is required for refund.
=0D=0A=Fossil Tour Fees
Adults:
$30.00
Children (4-16):
$20.00
Children under 4:
Free
Family Rates:
$85.00
(2 adults and up to three children 4-16 years old)
Private group tours (up to 30 adults)
$175.00
Book Your Tour
Pre-registration is required.