Captain

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

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Phone Number

XXX-XXX-X721

Captain
Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

Member since March 2026 Sooke, Canada

Background: 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.

Hey, I'm Captain Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

Sooke, Canada

Background: 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.

Reviews

Fishing Reports

Our Team

Don M.

Captain

My Charter Listing

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

5.0 / 5

(8 reviews)

5.0 / 5

(8 reviews)

Sooke • 22 ft • 5 persons

Instant Confirmation

Trips from US $325

Fishing Reports

From the deep blue to the dinner table

Jun 22, 2026 Sooke

What a day on the water out of Sooke! Calm seas, sunny skies, and plenty of action made for a memorable trip. Today's crew headed back to the dock with an impressive mixed catch featuring halibut, black cod, and Dungeness crab. Halibut fishing continues to be a major highlight around Sooke, with anglers finding success on the banks and offshore structure. Black cod activity has also been picking up! June is traditionally one of the best months to target Halibut in the Sooke area!!

West Coast Limits & Smiles. Halibut and

May 13, 2026 Sooke

What a day on the water with an awesome group aboard Southern Swell Coastal Adventures! We were blessed with beautiful weather, calm seas, and nonstop action from start to finish. The crew hauled in some incredible halibut, quality lingcod, and loaded up on fresh Dungeness crab to top it all off. Lots of laughs, great company, and coolers full of fresh West Coast seafood made for a fishing trip to remember. Days like this are what it’s all about — adventure, memories, and unforgettable moments on the ocean. ☀️

Customer reviews

Rating summary

5.0 / 5

out of 5 stars from 8 reviews

See details

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Experience

4.9 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (24)

⭐️ An Unforgettable Family Fishing Adventure! 🎣

+21

Angler rating

5 stars		8
4 stars		0
3 stars		0
2 stars		0
1 star		0

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	100%
Friendly captain
	100%
Recommend this charter
	100%
Appropriate for children
	100%
Satisfied with the boat
	100%
Caught fish
	88%

Appropriate for children
	100%
Satisfied with the boat
	100%
Caught fish
	88%

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Showing:

5 of 8 reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews

Ashley F.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

⭐️ An Unforgettable Family Fishing Adventure! 🎣

VERIFIED NEW Half Day Trip AM – Salmon on August 13, 2026

Ashley F.

5.0 / 5

Aug 13, 2026

Half Day Trip AM – Salmon

⭐️ An Unforgettable Family Fishing Adventure! 🎣

VERIFIED NEW

Our family had such an awesome fishing trip, and we couldn’t have asked for a better captain than Don! 🎣🐟 Don knew the area incredibly well and did a fantastic job sharing his knowledge, answering our questions, and teaching our boys all about the equipment, fishing techniques, and the area we were fishing. It was such a fun and educational experience for the whole family! Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or a family heading out for your first salmon fishing experience,... More

Our family had such an awesome fishing trip, and we couldn’t have asked for a better captain than Don! 🎣🐟 Don...

Ashley F. recommends Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

Mark review as helpful

1 person finds this review helpful

Diana B.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Amazing fishing and trapping experience!

VERIFIED Nite Bite– Evening on July 21, 2026

Diana B.

5.0 / 5

Jul 21, 2026

Nite Bite– Evening

Amazing fishing and trapping experience!

VERIFIED

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... More

My family cannot recomend Captain Don enough! We had been canceled on the day before by a different company so we decided to...

Diana B. recommends Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

Mark review as helpful

2 persons find this review helpful

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on July 23, 2026

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 🥳🙂

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on July 23, 2026

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 🥳🙂

Captain replied

Michael K.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Fantastic day of fishing!!!!!

VERIFIED NEW Nite Bite– Evening on August 4, 2026

Michael K.

5.0 / 5

Aug 4, 2026

Nite Bite– Evening

Fantastic day of fishing!!!!!

VERIFIED NEW

Captain and Don and John were a lot of fun to spend the afternoon with…they put my grandson and I on fish within 10 minutes of Leaving the dock and my grandson caught a 75cm salmon as his second fish within 20 minutes on board!!! I highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to introduce kids to the sport of fishing!!!

Captain and Don and John were a lot of fun to spend the afternoon with…they put my grandson and I on fish within 10 minutes...

Michael K. recommends Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

Mark review as helpful

2 persons find this review helpful

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on August 5, 2026

Thank you Michael! We are so glad we could get you on some fish! It was a pleasure having you and your grandson out with us! Hope to see you again!!

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on August 5, 2026

Thank you Michael! We are so glad we could get you on some fish! It was a pleasure having you and your grandson out with us! Hope to see you again!!

Captain replied

Mark W.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Great experience!

VERIFIED NEW Half Day Trip AM – Salmon on August 4, 2026

Mark W.

5.0 / 5

Aug 4, 2026

Half Day Trip AM – Salmon

Great experience!

VERIFIED NEW

Don and John were just the best! They were engaging and so helpful to people in our party - a couple of whom had never fished for salmon. We caught fish. It was a beautiful day! Highly recommend these guys!

Don and John were just the best! They were engaging and so helpful to people in our party - a couple of whom had never fished...

Mark W. recommends Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

Mark review as helpful

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on August 16, 2026

Thank you Mark! We had a great day on the water with you and your party! We hope to see you again! 🎣

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on August 16, 2026

Thank you Mark! We had a great day on the water with you and your party! We hope to see you again! 🎣

Captain replied

Jocelyn M.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Sooke salmon/crab adventure 🐟

VERIFIED Nite Bite– Evening on July 14, 2026

Jocelyn M.

5.0 / 5

Jul 14, 2026

Nite Bite– Evening

Sooke salmon/crab adventure 🐟

VERIFIED

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! 🐟🦀🪼🐚

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...

Jocelyn M. recommends Southern Swell Coastal Adventures

Mark review as helpful

2 persons find this review helpful

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on July 15, 2026

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!

Southern Swell Coastal Adventures (The Captain)

Replied on July 15, 2026

Captain replied