Whale watching vancouver island why visit parksville. We may even see one devouring a salmon in its own unique way. 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. Another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island. All around us theyll be vocalizing, hundreds of sea lions growling all through the day and night. When it comes to whale watching tours, orcas are often considered the main attraction. Whale watching at the san juan islands from victoria bc on vancouver island canada. Gray whale migration passes vancouver island vancouver. Come for the afternoon, or stay a few nights at one of our partner hotels. Our knowledgeable drivers will give you a guided tour of vancouver and richmond as we take you to our destination, the charming historical fishing village of steveston, locally known as the gateway to the whales. We paid for 3 hours but got over 4, during which we saw a pod of about 6 transient orca 1 calf, around 20 resident orca, 2 humpback whales and lots of stellar sealions and californian sealions, we had top class day out with loads of. While in vancouver, dont miss the chance to take a whalewatching tour and spot killer whales, porpoises, seals, eagles and other wildlife amid the stunning scenery of canadas southwest coast. Harbour air will fly you from downtown vancouver to downtown victoria in just 35 minutes. This is the best place in the world to see orcas, the mr.
We respect the investment our guests make to join us and we are dedicated to making your trip the experience of a lifetime. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island, british. Whale watching tours are available from the inner harbour of victoria, sidney, tofino, campbell river, and port hardy, as well as most of the communities on the island. Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and personal.
Members of some 260 fisheating orcas known as the northern residents are often in the area in pursuit of salmon. We have been avidly watching whale reports and sightings over the winter counting down the days until april 1st. We offer various morning, midday, and afternoon departures. Occasionally a lone whale will find its way into false creek or english bay, but you dont have to go very far out to find its friends. In just over an hours drive you can hop on a killer whale watching tour at campbell river. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whalewatching tour in vancouver.
We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. Prince of whales whale watching vancouver all you need to. Whale watching opportunities in march around vancouver island are very limited. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. The port of vancouver, the port of prince rupert, bc coast pilots, bc ferries.
The majestic orca has long been the proud symbol of our incredible city. Whale watching in british columbia mainly boils down to whale watching on vancouver island, even if you can also book tours directly from vancouver. Big horns intro 2 by audionautix is licensed under a creative commons attribution license s. Tofino whale watching tours ocean outfitters, tofino bc. Members of the public are encouraged to download the whalereport app and. Another grey whale perhaps 2 appeared in the cordova bay area in saanich on april 24 and 25. During whale watching season, theres nothing like seeing the fluke of a. On any given day between april and october, you can witness up to 89 orca whales frolicking in the southern vancouver island waterways. Victoria is located on the southern tip of vancouver island, located 112 kilometers across the georgia strait from the city of vancouver.
Killer whales attract tourists to vancouver island killer whale or also known as the orca whale often transit the waters of discovery passage between vancouver island and quadra island. The pacific rim whale festival in the coastal towns of tofino and ucluelet kicks off an allout celebration of the gray whale migration and life in general on the fabulous west coast of vancouver island. May 29, 2016 whale watching at the san juan islands from victoria bc on vancouver island canada. You can even download the files so you can listen to them whenever you want. His love for the ocean, the outdoors and vancouver islands wildlife started in his youth. British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. Although wildlife is the focus of our trip, the scenery along the way is not to be forgotten. We offer year round whale watching and marine eco tours. The main target species from vancouvervictoria are orcas and humpback whales. However, unlike land animals who have been thoroughly researched and observed by scientists, an underwater creature invites new complications and mysteries. May through october where to go whale watching in quebec. Whale watching in vancouver in winter march vancouver. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. Please check under book now for specific daily departure times on our covered and zodiac boats.
On vancouver island, youll find reputable whale watching providers to bring you close to the action while respecting the boundaries of these magnificent animals. Whale watching on vancouver island in victoria, bc. The killer whale or orca, is the largest of the dolphins, a predator, feeding on fish, seals, and sometimes whales. 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. Some of these cetaceans can be spotted yearround, but the peak season is june to august when. Enjoy a scenic 35 minute float plane ride from vancouvers coal harbour to downtown victoria, then start your southern resident killer whale watching adventure with us. Vancouver island whale watching during a vacation on northern vancouver island, british columbia, be sure to book a whale watching tour to see whales, eagles, dolphins and other marine mammals. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. The vancouver whale watch team 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. Read on for everything you need to know about spotting these graceful marine mammals in british columbia. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime through excellent customer. Killer whales, with their conspicuous black and white colouration have been recognizable to most since early childhood. S ummer time is the time to see all whale species in large numbers. Uk 0203 424 6332 download brochure send an enquiry request a callback.
Every trip is different, as we follow reports of the whales location. Our location wild whales vancouver is situated on granville island, a 510 minute taxi ride from most downtown hotels. Around march, orcas go straight after the young seals literally on the beach. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. The whaleplanner march a whale watching infographic. The waters around vancouver island host large resident pods of nearly.
The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. Located in the heart of the southern resident killer whales and biggs killer whales travel areas, cowichan bay offers a relaxed experience away from the hustle and bustle. Many of the whale watching tour companies also offer black bear and grizzly bear excursions. Whale watching british columbia vancouver islands watching. Minke whales have a similar aesthetic to humpback whales, but are are just. Coinciding with our last tours of the season, the sea lions return to nearby haulouts with their new pups. Our crew bc whale tours victoria whale watching tours. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas. The most celebrated residents of vancouver island north are its marine mammals. British columbia and particularly vancouver island is a brilliant location to spot.
Whale watching in bc british columbia travel and adventure. The humpback whales are already here feeding, the salmon runs are beginning to peak, and by. The more stealthy marine mammaleating population of killer whales know as transients are also often hunting in the area. The 30ton giants can be seen from shore, as early as february, with females and calves passing by from mid march, through april and into. Welcome the first gray whales of the season on vancouver island or try your luck with the blue whales of chile. His passion for nautical engineering and local marine environments continued throughout his 20s as he completed his marine power engineer and masters captains. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whale watching tour in vancouver. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. Four days in vancouver island whale watching paradise. Youll see orca whales, migrating humpback whales and much more. Telegraph cove on vancouver island, the orca capital of the world. Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals.
Our mission we aspire to be the best whale watching company in the area by. Five star whale watching helps you discover the picturesque southern vancouver island, victoria, and the gulf islands, home to the largest population of killer whales orcas in the world. Sep 03, 2018 whale watching vancouver island from granville island this particular tip was starting from granville island, worth a visit in itself. Humpback whales are known to be one of the most playful whales on earth. The worlds 8 best destinations for whale watching and. Go sea kayaking, salmon fish for dinner, amazing wildlife. Granville island is really a village, on an island obviously, in the middle of world city vancouver. Ocean ecoventures is the most centrallylocated whale watching company on vancouver island.
Wild whales vancouver is located 5 to 10 minutes from most hotels in the downtown area with easy access to granville island. Reports of killer whales were plentiful during our offseason and we are expecting this trend to continue. Parksville qualicum beachs central location makes it the perfect base for whale watching vancouver island. Ocean ecoventures offers daily whale watching tours departing from cowichan bay, only 45 minute south of nanaimo. Whale watching vancouver island from granville island this particular tip was starting from granville island, worth a visit in itself. The main target species from vancouver victoria are orcas and humpback whales, and neither are relieably present in early spring. Spring and fall are the best times to view large numbers of. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe. Theres no other place in the world, where orcas use this. Join your professional naturalist and board a first class, modern vessel for a 3 to 5hour expedition, starting in the picturesque, historic fishing village of steveston and traveling through the. In the early 1970s, researchers developed a system of photo identifying individual whales, in order to better.
In the early 1970s, researchers developed a system of. Apr 10, 2018 our 2018 whale watching season has begun. Harold is the ownerpresident of bc whale tours, victorias premium marine adventure company. Still, it is well known in only a few areas, and one of these is the coastal waters of british columbia. Best time place for whale watching experience vancouver forum. There are more than 20 species of whales and dolphins to be seen here, including minke, fin, sperm, humpback, blue whales and orca. Lucky whale watchers may even see at up to 25m 82ft in lengththe largest known mammal, the blue whale or the second largest whale, the fin whale whale watching season. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife. Aug 15, 2008 whale watching on vancouver island in victoria, bc. This ensures the highest sightings of killer whales on vancouver island every year. Big horns intro 2 by audionautix is licensed under. Five britons have died and another person is still missing after a whale watching boat with 27 people on board sank off vancouver island in canada as darkness forced rescue helicopters, planes. On the west coast, tofino is a quaint town with an embedded orcawatching culture.
Both sides of vancouver island afford primo opportunities. Whale classification breeding patterns of whales whale migration join us british columbia. Killer whales vancouver island whale watch nanaimo bc. Whale watching and cultural tour kingfisher 20200305t22. Killer whales are majestic creatures, who we have the privilege of interacting with. We took a tour with eagle wings tours from victoria fisher mans warff in mid september, it was a great trip with our excellent captain marine biologist geoff. Whale watching around vancouver island in british columbia is an exceptional experience that will leave you awestruck after watching whales that weigh thousands of pounds frolic in their natural habitat. Whaletrips british columbia whale watching in british. Come aboard one of our two 40passenger expedition catamarans, each of which combines comfort, speed, safety, and your choice of 3 viewing platforms. A grey whale had been spotted by nanoose bay up to about april 22, often swimming very close to shore and delighting many onlookers. During mating season, the males will sing organized and complex songs with distinct melodies and themes that can be heard over twenty miles away. Vancouver island whale watching beautiful photos, photo gallery. For those visiting vancouver island outside of the summer whale watching season, minke whales, the smallest of the north pacific baleen whales, can be spotted yearround.