Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. Be whale wise bc whale watching guidelines being whale wise is one of the most important ways boaters, kayakers, and other mariners can help bcs vulnerable whales. Tours are three hours in length, with april through october being the ideal whale watching months. Youre more likely to spot orcas here during the fall and winter months, but transient whales are seen here year round.
As victorias longest running family owned and operated whale watching company and first catamaran company, we have built up victoria as a world class destination for whale watching. Whether youre spotting one from the deck of a whale watching cruise or from the shores of a national park, whales are some of nature. Quebec, british columbia, new england, washington and oregon are among the best places in the world for whale watching. Another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island.
Our company utilizes stateoftheart, custom designed, locally built vessels that are leading in the industry for safety. The city of victoria in particular, on the southern tip of vancouver island, is globally renowned for orca sightings and is the ultimate destination for bc whale watching. By following the be whale wise guidelines, mariners can profoundly diminish the negative impact their presence on the water has on whales and other marine mammals. Reports of killer whales were plentiful during our offseason and we are expecting this trend to continue. We saw orcas, humpback whales, seals, eagles and magnificent views. Since the 1980s, whale watching from a tour boat has become an increasingly popular way to view wild orcas in their natural habitat.
The whaleplanner march a whale watching infographic whaletrips. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. Situated off the northern most region of british columbia is haida gwaii, formerly known as the queen charlotte islands, an exceptionally beautiful and isolated location. Try whale watching from the shore at alki beach in west seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. Memorial day through late august we offer whale watching at sunset. Theoretically, you could meet orcas in the waters of british columbia all year long, but the main season is from may to september. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whale watching tour in vancouver. The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for orcas as well. All of our vessels are custom made by titan marine and hand designed by the owner of the bc whale tours, harold. Book a whale watching holiday in canada with canadian affair for the chance to. Limit time in the vicinity of a particular group of whales to 60 minutes. The majestic orca has long been the proud symbol of our incredible city. Watch all your favourite abc programs on abc iview.
Whale watching is popular april through september and usually focuses on the area around the san juan islands and the canadian gulf islands. British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. The british columbia whale watching season starts in march and runs all the way to october. The north coast cetacean society nccs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the research and protection of whales along the northern coast of bc. In this peak season, orca spirit adventures boasts a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including humpback whales, biggs and resident orcas killer whales, and gray whales. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. However, there are three main spots which constitute the principal areas for engaging in this activity. Each vessel has a private washroom and has a maximum capacity of 12 guests per trip. Here is some clips that have been shot and edited by one of our captains over his various trips. Please download your trip details and joining instructions here. Bc whale tours provides an incredible experience from start to finish. From may 1 through late october we offer fourday whale watching and sea kayaking tours. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whalewatching tour in vancouver. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and.
Teachers can download information as needed for classes. Whale watching tours whale watching april 1 to october 31. And it has orcas, gray whales and humpbacks along with rainforests full of bears and cougars. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in victoria. All three species are threatened under the species at risk act sara, and they have the propensity to migrate along identical routes that has been proposed for lng tankers to traverse through. Our mission we aspire to be the best whale watching company in the area by. Theres simply nothing better than a whale watching tour in bc with orca spirit, some prefer viewing beneath the summer sun, while others prefer cooler spring and fall viewings. Uk 0203 424 9682 download brochure send an enquiry request a callback.
Eagle eye adventures is the most reliable whale watching tours company in canada. Garry henkel, aboriginal journeys whale and grizzly bear tours. Apr 10, 2018 our 2018 whale watching season has begun. Whale watching in ucluelet, whale watching at subtidal. On some tours we are lucky enough to encounter dalls porpoise, seals, sea lions, otters and pacific whitesided dolphins.
Another grey whale perhaps 2 appeared in the cordova bay area in saanich on april 24 and 25. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime through excellent customer. Whale watching tours in tofino, bc they dive, spout, breach, spyhop and lobtail. British columbias whale watching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. Whale watching, haida gwaii, queen charlotte islands, bc, canada. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. Our whale watching season usually starts in mid february and lasts until the end of october. Wild whales 2020 eggbeater creative vancouver whale watching.
A premiere whale watching company based in victoria, british columbia, canada. Acsla at march 1220 tofino gray whale migration update. Setting the bar high for the local whale watching industry we have been inspiring and educating guests. Tours are threehours in length, with april through october being the ideal whale watching months. San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and therefore friday harbor on san juan island is the best location for departing on a whale watch tour in washington state. Thank you so much for choosing bc whale tours and for taking the time to share your experience. Best places for whale watching when to go whale watching. Tours can be done straight from telegraph cove with stubbsisland, multi day tours or kingfisher kayak tours. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. We were hoping to do some whale watching before heading across the island. The prince rupert area is home to some of the most spectacular whale watching in the world. Whale watching in bc british columbia travel and adventure.
The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. The best of abc dramas, documentaries, comedies and abc news programs for australias most trusted source of local, national and world news. A grey whale had been spotted by nanoose bay up to about april 22, often swimming very close to shore and delighting many onlookers. The guidelines advise sound and sensible etiquette and responsible behaviour for boaters while on the. In most cases it is a good idea to call ahead and make reservations in advance of. Aug 07, 20 bc whale tours is a premium whale watching company based out of victoria on vancouver island, bc. Travel at the same or slower speed as the whale s speed, and travel parallel to the direction whales are traveling. These whales are particularly acrobatic, so you might see them splashing about on the surface of the ocean in addition to coming up for air. The humpback whale migration passing sydney takes place between april and december each year. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. In the waters surrounding victoria we mainly encounter transient killer whales and humpback whales during peak season juneseptember. To find out more about the whale watching tours we offer on vancouver island, click here. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria.
British columbia s whale watching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. Our season starts with the longest migration of any mammal, the gray whale. Leave the crowds behind on our custom made vessels specifically designed for comfort, speed and safety that carry only 12 privileged guests at a time. British columbia and particularly vancouver island is a brilliant location to spot. The migrating population is named the group 5 southern hemisphere humpback whale population or the australian east coast humpbacks. Bc whale tours victoria all you need to know before. Whales and culture seine boat inn alert bay, bc, canada. How to play blue whale suicide game download link youtube. Sorry to ask another whale watching questioni cant seem to find a tour company that runs out of nanaimo or parksville. Whale watching in bc is an unforgettable experience. Nuqui, bahia solano and, further south, bahia malaga by. The whale report remote passages whale watching, tofino, bc. During whale watching season, theres nothing like seeing the fluke of a. Our whale watching tour focuses on magnificent orcas killer whales, majestic humpback whales, and other marine wildlife such as porpoises, sea lions, seals and bald eagles.
Passive acoustic monitoring helpful to determine seasonal occurrence of. The season is split into two distinct sections depending on the direction of travel of the majority of whales at that time. On the west coast, tofino is a quaint town with an embedded orcawatching culture. Whale watching victoria adventures prince of whales. Whale watching british columbia vancouver islands watching. Please check under book now for specific daily departure times on our covered and zodiac boats. This archipelago, made up of 150 islands, has a population of approximately 4,000 people and famous as the home of the haida people and their culture. Our whale watching tour focuses on magnificent orcas killer whales, majestic humpback whales, and other marine wildlife such as porpoises, sea lions. Bc whale tours is a premium whale watching company based out of victoria on vancouver island, bc. This tiny and picturesque village is a major destination during the summer months when the snug little bay bustles with whale watchers, fishermen, boaters, campers and kayakers. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. We are proud leaders in responsible whale watching, bear watching and wildlife viewing and have a strong passion for educating guests about the wonders and the fragility of clayoquot sound and tofino. The whale centre, tofino, bc tofino whale watching, bear.
About bc whale tours leave the crowds behind on our custom made vessels specifically designed for comfort, speed and safety that carry only 12 guests at a time. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas. The killer whales come to this region to feed on the salmon that are returning to the fraser river to spawn. They undergo one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal, travelling up to 8000km per year from breeding lagoons in baja, mexico to feeding grounds in the bering and chukchi seas. Orcas killer whales, minke whales and mighty humpback whales frequent the protected waters of chatham sound literally on the doorstop of prince rupert harbour, where our whale watching tours are based whale watching takes place throughout the summer season with the best. Ethical and sustainable whale watching departing from nanaimo, british columbia, canada. We offer world class tours in the gulf islands with a focus on marine conservation and sustainability in the salish sea.
Tofino whale watching tours ocean outfitters, tofino bc. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale. There are few sights more thrilling than whales in their natural environment, and the waters off the coast of british columbia are rich with marine life. Cruise, whale watching, girls weekend destination 2701 alaskan way, downtown seattle, wa we have taken the victoria clipper to victoria, bc and i must say it was one of the most unforgettable cruises ive ever been on.
I had an amazing day with my buddy at bc whale tours. Bc whale tours is the only company to offer guests a complimentary return tour with. There is no seagoing experience quite like watching, closeup, a sleek whale weighing thousands of pounds frolic like a child in its natural habitat. Telegraph cove is tucked away on the eastern coast of northern vancouver island.
At this time of year in the pacific northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9. Its not all just kangaroos and koalas in australia, but also a great place to meet humpback whales along the east coast. In this peak season, orca spirit adventures boasts a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including humpback whales, transient and resident orcas, minke, and gray whales. Youll see orca whales, migrating humpback whales and much more. Join five star whale watching for the adventure of a lifetime an experience that you will never forget. Welcome the first gray whales of the season on vancouver island or try your luck with the blue whales of chile.
Another whale species you might see in the off season is the humpback whale, whose adults range in length from 40 to 50 feet and often appear from april to june. With many years of experience, youll be sure to enjoy this luxury ride. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale. Eagle wing tours gives you more than just a look at whales, they give you the longest and most comprehensive whale watching tours in the industry. Whaletrips british columbia whale watching in british.
We provide whale and grizzly bear tours, and great bear rainforest tours. Whale watching in british columbia mainly boils down to whale watching on vancouver island, even if you can also book tours directly from vancouver. A number of charter boat companies run whale watching cruises and you can find such charters at various ports around puget sound and the coastal waters of british columbia. Bc whale tours victoria 2020 all you need to know before.
While other vancouver island whale watching tours are heading for shore, our experienced captains and crew are going the extra mile or 50 to show you the gray whale feeding beaches, the eagles nests, the hidden coves and all the other delights. Whale watching tours and wild life tours, bc whale tours is one of victorias finest whale watching companies. During this period, thousands of gray, orca, minke, and humpback whales migrate from mexico to alaska and back, passing through the waters off the bc coast. We are so pleased to hear that you had an incredible killer whale encounter with multiple pods. Each year, thousands of people view killer whales both from recreational and commercial vessels as well as from shore in bc. The whale centre has over thirty years experience in sharing tofino and clayoqout sounds ecosystems with guests from all over the world. Operate at no more than 7 knots when within 1 km 0. This is when they come to breed and raise their young and is the best time to go on a costa rica whale watching tour. Your trip certainly sounds like it was a special experience. Whale watching season april 1 to october 31 vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime through excellent customer service, first class vessels, the highest possible safety standards and added value from an onthewater education of the west coast ecosystem. For some of the best whale watching in bc, head on the whale watch plus tour. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife. Gray whale estrichtius robustus gray whales are usually found in shallow, coastal waters of the north pacific.
Over the winter they breed and calve in warm mexican waters then, midfebruary to april moms and calves till june, migrate close by our shore on the way to cold alaskan waters, where the food is. The girls at the check in booth were welcoming and promptly answered any questions with a smile it was great meeting you megan. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Some even come in the winter months for an uncrowded adventure.
There is something so magical about seeing a whale in the wild. Our whale watching tours located off the southern coast of victoria, british columbia consist of viewing transient orca pods, migrating humpback whales, grey whales and other marine animals that reside in our coastal waters. During the whale watching season, humpbacks appear all along the pacific coast, right from the province of choco in the north, all the way down to narino along the ecuadorian border. We have been avidly watching whale reports and sightings over the winter counting down the days until april 1st. Join us for a whale watching holiday of a lifetime. Our location wild whales vancouver is situated on granville island, a 510 minute taxi ride from most downtown hotels. British columbia is one of the best places in the world to view orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and other marine species. Frequently asked questions bc whale tours victoria. We offer various morning, midday, and afternoon departures. Bc whale tours victoria all you need to know before you.
Read on for everything you need to know about spotting these graceful marine mammals in british columbia. This is the best place in the world to see orcas, the mr. Being whale wise is one of the most important ways boaters, kayakers, and other mariners can help bc s vulnerable whales. On the islands east side, head for campbell river, where. Up and down the coast of british columbia, from victoria to port hardy on vancouver island, from vancouver to the bc gulf islands, and up to haida gwaii queen charlotte islands. British columbias whalewatching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced with victorias boutique whale watching company. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Be whale wise bc whale watching guidelines british.
Maybe its the fact that we feel so small next to them blue whales can weigh an astounding 300,000 pounds or that for most of us, whales arent animals that we get the chance to see every day. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair. The bc whales team will use every means possible to collect data on the populations, movements, food source and essential habitat use of orca, humpback and fin whales along the north coast. Both sides of vancouver island afford primo opportunities. In alaska you can meet orcas, gray whales and humpbacks. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins cetaceans in their natural habitat.
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