Join Swallow Tail Adventures and a mycology expert for a two-hour forest walk identifying wild mushrooms like chanterelle and porcini in BC’s lush woods. Discover the ethics of sustainable foraging while honing your wild edible skills.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires walking on forest trails with gentle elevation changes.
Wildlife
History
BC’s forests have long been a source of food and medicine for Indigenous peoples, whose knowledge of fungi is deeply rooted in tradition.
Conservation
Swallow Tail Adventures emphasizes ethical foraging to minimize impact, promoting sustainability and respect for the forest’s delicate ecosystems.
Swallow Tail Adventures
Join Swallow Tail Adventures and a mycology expert for a two-hour forest walk identifying wild mushrooms like chanterelle and porcini in BC’s lush woods. Discover the ethics of sustainable foraging while honing your wild edible skills.
Swallow Tail Adventures is a Mayne Island, British Columbia–based experiential food and foraging company that offers guided walks, hands-on harvesting, and intimate supper-club dinners. Founded to showcase coastal BC’s edible landscapes, the company curates seasonal experiences that connect participants with wild foods, sustainable harvesting practices, and local chefs.
Offerings include multi-course pop-up dinners, mushroom and seaweed foraging walks, a spring and summer foraging class, and chef-led tasting events. Signature experiences listed publicly are Carnivoria in the Garden, Spring + Summer Foraging Class, Wild Mushroom Trip Whistler, Seaweed Harvesting 101, Wild Mushroom Dinner, Wild Mushroom Education Field Trip, Chef Jefferson Alvarez's Dinner, and Sea Foraging Experience. Events occur on Mayne Island and nearby Gulf Islands, with select trips on Whistler and Galiano Island where noted.
Guides and chefs on Swallow Tail Adventures focus on identification, ethical harvesting, preservation techniques, and simple cooking methods. Many experiences include tastings, PDF plant guides, or discussions led by foraging chefs and myco-guides. Participants are encouraged to bring beverages for supper-club events.
Swallow Tail Adventures has been featured on The Adventure Collective, and the company emphasizes small-group, educational, and culinary-focused outings. Prospective guests can expect outdoor walks of varying lengths, seasonal menus based on local harvests, and instruction aimed at safe, sustainable enjoyment of BC’s coastal and forest ecosystems.
Many experiences include take-home PDF guides, hands-on cooking demonstrations, and guided tastings; bookings are typically small-group and scheduled seasonally to match local harvest windows and ecological best practices. Participants receive practical safety and storage tips for foraging success.
Base Location
Mayne Island, BC
Southern Gulf Islands base
Tours Offered
8 experiences
Foraging, dinners, sea and mushroom trips
Featured
The Adventure Collective
Highlighted travel and food experience
Small Groups
Intimate settings
Supper clubs and guided walks
Reserve a small-group walk, sea harvest, or supper-club dinner to learn identification, ethical harvesting, and seasonal cooking with local chefs.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
The forest floor can be uneven and damp, so shoes with good traction are essential.
Bring a notebook and pen
Taking notes will help you remember key identification tips from the guide.
Do not handle mushrooms if unsure
Some species can cause skin irritation or be toxic; always follow your guide’s advice.
Respect the habitat
Stick to trails and avoid disturbing mushroom clusters to preserve the forest ecosystem.
Waterproof hiking boots
Keeps feet dry and comfortable on damp, muddy forest floors.
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Weather-appropriate layers
Adjust to changing conditions with breathable, moisture-wicking clothing.
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Field notebook
Useful to jot down mushroom characteristics and identification tips.
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Daypack
Carry water, snacks, and small gear comfortably during the walk.
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