Southern Swell Coastal Adventures
Southern Swell Coastal Adventures
Southern Swell Coastal Adventures is your gateway to world-class fishing in Sooke, BC!
Join us on the rich, productive waters off Sooke for an unforgettable West Coast fishing experience. We target a wide range of species including Chinook, Coho, and Pink Salmon, powerful Halibut, hard fighting Lingcod, and delicious Dungeness Crab. Depending on the season and conditions, your trip may include a mix of trolling, bottom fishing, and drifting to give you the best chance at success.
Our trips are family-friendly, so bring the whole crew along for a safe, fun day on the ocean. Any fish caught within legal limits is yours to keep, cleaned and ready to take home. Before boarding, please make sure you have a valid BC tidal fishing license which can be found online.
You'll fish aboard a 22' Hewescraft aluminum boat, with a heated cabin comfortably accommodating up to 5 guests. An onboard toilet adds extra convenience so you can focus on enjoying the day. All fishing gear and tackle included as well as complimentary light snacks and bottled water.
At the helm is Captain Don, a Canadian Navy Veteran and lifelong fishing enthusiast with over 20 years of experience navigating and fishing these local waters. His knowledge, professionalism, and passion ensure a safe trip and the best opportunity to hook onto something memorable. After serving as the lead guide for Rising Tide Coastal Adventures, Don has now launched his own venture with Southern Swell Coastal Adventures.
Before you leave home, don't forget your sunglasses, hat, and sunblock - the West Coast sun can sneak up on you!
Come experience the Southern Swell with us - where adventure runs deep and the fish stories are reel!
Southern Swell Coastal Adventures is your gateway to world-class fishing in Sooke, BC!
Join us on the rich, productive waters off Sooke for an unforgettable West Coast fishing experience. We target a wide range of species including Chinook, Coho, and Pink Salmon, powerful Halibut, hard fighting Lingcod, and delicious Dungeness Crab. Depending on the season and conditions, your trip may include a mix of trolling, bottom fishing, and drifting to give you the best chance at success.
Our trips are family-friendly, so bring the whole crew along for a safe, fun day on the ocean. Any fish caught within legal limits is yours to keep, cleaned and ready to take home. Before boarding, please make sure you have a valid BC tidal fishing license which can be found online.
You'll fish aboard a 22' Hewescraft aluminum boat, with a heated cabin comfortably accommodating up to 5 guests. An onboard toilet adds extra convenience so you can focus on enjoying the day. All fishing gear and tackle included as well as complimentary light snacks and bottled water.
At the helm is Captain Don, a Canadian Navy Veteran and lifelong fishing enthusiast with over 20 years of experience navigating and fishing these local waters. His knowledge, professionalism, and passion ensure a safe trip and the best opportunity to hook onto something memorable. After serving as the lead guide for Rising Tide Coastal Adventures, Don has now launched his own venture with Southern Swell Coastal Adventures.
Before you leave home, don't forget your sunglasses, hat, and sunblock - the West Coast sun can sneak up on you!
Come experience the Southern Swell with us - where adventure runs deep and the fish stories are reel!
Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (12)
All reviews (2)
My family cannot recomend Captain Don enough! We had been canceled on the day before by a different company so we decided to try again with Southern Swells and I am so glad we did! He checked the tides to give us the best possible start time and we all learned so much during our trip! Our 2 kids were with us (5 and 7) and he answered all their questions and kept them so involved in the process of trolling and checking traps. He even lent us his own kids life jackets for the trip so we didn't have to worry about sourcing some. They raved about our fishing trip the whole way back home! So so thankful we found Captain Don and his family business, we had the best time out on the water. If we are ever back in the area we will book with nobody else but Captain Don at Southern Swell!
We are so happy we could turn your trip around! Happy birthday to your other half! We sure hope to see you guys again out this way! Your family is the sweetest! Enjoy your catch 🥳🙂
We had a great family trip to Sooke and were welcomed by Captain Don & Jon..we had a fantastic trip out with our son..he reeled in plenty of salmon which we kept and brought home with our crabs from the pots. Great weather. great chats, laughs and very knowledgeable. Memorable time! We even got to see otters and seals at the dock. Highly recommend! 🐟🦀🪼🐚
Thank you so much, Jocelyn! We're so happy we were able to get you on some great fish. It was a pleasure having you and your family aboard, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to leave such a kind review. We hope to fish with you again soon!
FAQs about Southern Swell Coastal Adventures
What are the trip rates for Southern Swell Coastal Adventures?
- CA $450 per group, additional CA $50 per person after 4 guests - 3 Hour Trip – Crab and Cruise (3 hours)
- CA $450 per group, additional CA $50 per person after 4 guests - Nite Bite– Evening (3 hours)
- CA $650 per group, additional CA $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip PM – Salmon (4 hours)
- CA $750 per group, additional CA $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip AM – Salmon (5 hours)
- CA $800 per group, additional CA $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip AM– Halibut (5 hours)
- CA $1,100 per group, additional CA $50 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip – Salmon (8 hours)
- CA $1,200 per group, additional CA $50 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip – Halibut (8 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Southern Swell Coastal Adventures?
- Toilet Privacy Curtain Marine Toilet Electric Pump
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Radar
What's included in the trip price with Southern Swell Coastal Adventures?
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (We Clean and prepare your fish so they are cooler )
- Snacks (Light Snack)
- Drinks (Bottled Water)
What types of fishing does Southern Swell Coastal Adventures offer?
- Inshore fishing
- Nearshore fishing
- Offshore fishing (Strait of Juan De Fuca)
- Reef fishing
What fishing techniques does Southern Swell Coastal Adventures offer?
- Light tackle
- Heavy tackle
- Bottom fishing
- Trolling
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Deep sea fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Southern Swell Coastal Adventures?
- Cod
- Crab
- Halibut
- Lingcod
- Rockfish
- Salmon (Chinook)
- Salmon (Coho)
- Salmon (Pink)
Your captain
We are Don & Steph Merlo, the family team behind Southern Swell Coastal Adventures, proudly calling Sooke home as we raise our family surrounded by the stunning beauty of the West Coast. Life here revolves around the ocean - from rugged shorelines to endless horizon views - and we love sharing that lifestyle with others. Don served 14 years in the Canadian Navy, where his respect for the sea and seamanship skills were forged. Today, that experience - combined with his lifelong passion for fishing - shines through in every charter he runs, delivering safe, knowledgeable, and memorable days on the water. Together we bring local roots, family values, and a genuine love for the outdoors to every trip. Come join the Southern Swell family and experience Sooke from the water.
Don M.
Captain
We are Don & Steph Merlo, the family team behind Southern Swell Coastal Adventures, proudly calling Sooke home as we raise our family surrounded by the stunning beauty of the West Coast. Life here revolves around the ocean - from rugged shorelines to endless horizon views - and we love sharing that lifestyle with others. Don served 14 years in the Canadian Navy, where his respect for the sea and seamanship skills were forged. Today, that experience - combined with his lifelong passion for fishing - shines through in every charter he runs, delivering safe, knowledgeable, and memorable days on the water. Together we bring local roots, family values, and a genuine love for the outdoors to every trip. Come join the Southern Swell family and experience Sooke from the water.
Don M.
Captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
What's included in the trip price
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
What the listing policies are
Pickup included in price
How you can pay
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
Visa
Mastercard
Bank transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Sooke right now
Crab
Halibut
Lingcod
Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)
Salmon (Pink)Compare similar fishing charters
