The more stealthy marine mammaleating population of killer whales know as transients are also often hunting in the area. The peak season is from mid march to mid april, with some whales staying in the area to feed during the summer months. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. A reallife encounter with whales is an unforgettable experience, and with more than 30 species roaming the waters off its 202,000km of coastline, canada is prime territory for chasing whale tail.
On vancouver island, youll find reputable whale watching providers to bring you close to the action while respecting the boundaries of these magnificent animals. Prevent motion sickness by avoiding any coffee before your outing and by using just a light meal some while before the start of your trip. Telegraph cove on vancouver island, the orca capital of the world. When booking a day trip or tour, destination canada recommends checking. 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. Killer whale or also known as the orca whale often transit the waters of discovery passage between vancouver island and quadra island. Sep 11, 2010 whale watching by eagle wing in victoria, trip by seaplane to vancouver island, british columbia, canada, september 2009, bald eagle, sea lions, orcas, humpback whales music from coldplay talk. Whale watching season is very popular and tourists come from far and wide to see these magnificent creatures up close. Come aboard one of our two 40passenger expedition catamarans, each of which combines comfort, speed, safety, and your choice of 3 viewing platforms. Go whale watching, and explore butchart gardens in victoria, vancouver island on this day trip from vancouver. Orca spirit adventures is victorias premier whale watching company offering carbon neutral covered vessel and zodiac tours led by certified marine naturalists whose knowledge and passion for vancouver island s marine wildlife is unequaled in the industry. Whale watching tour operators know the best places to look, and they make sure interactions are enjoyable and informative, as well as safe for both humans and mammals. A whale watching trip is a once in a lifetime experience.
Our coastal wilderness is home to killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, eagles, and more. A special encounter with j pod southern resident killer. Whale watching british columbia vancouver islands watching. Well take you through the salish sea ecosystem to see whales and other marine life in their natural habitat. Granville island is really a village, on an island obviously, in the middle of world city vancouver. Members of some 260 fisheating orcas known as the northern residents are often in the area in pursuit of salmon. Tofino whale watching tours ocean outfitters, tofino bc. All around us theyll be vocalizing, hundreds of sea lions growling all through the day and night.
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. Weather conditions in this area can be extremely variable. The whaleplanner march a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Vancouver island whale watching orcas best time to. For the orcas off victoria from april, with an increase in sitings from may you might consider a week.
On any given day between april and october, you can witness up to 89 orca whales frolicking in the southern vancouver island waterways. You can spot various kinds of whales, like humpback whales, orcas, grey whales, and minke 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 most celebrated residents of vancouver island north are its marine mammals. During your trip to vancouver island, it is well worth taking in one of the many tours available along the coast of vancouver island and keeping your full attention on the water. As we move into mid september we see fewer resident killer whales however with the abundant sea lion population that moves into the area, we see more transients as sea lions are a favorite food source for his subspecies of orca.
All three of their vessels are zodiac style one open and two semicovered, customdesigned for marine wildlife viewing, and all are equipped with hydrophones to listen to the whales. Go sea kayaking, salmon fish for dinner, amazing wildlife. You will most likely hit open water while whale watching on the west coast of vancouver island. Garry henkel, aboriginal journeys whale and grizzly bear tours. On the west coast, tofino is a quaint town with an embedded orcawatching culture. Whale watching season 2015, victoria bc springtide tours. A 4k video in a super high quality of area28 with english comment. The worlds 8 best destinations for whale watching and. Whale watching from victoria to vancouver this oneway adventure will take you from downtown victoria to butchart cove aboard a custombuilt catamaran embarking on a 3hour, fullyguided whale watching and marine wildlife viewing tour part 1.
Cameron ocean adventures in ucluelet offers a unique west coast whale watching experience. A possible downside of whale watching on the west coast of vancouver island. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. Ill be in vancouver in the first couple of weeks of april, and am really keen to see some whales. Wild whales 2020 eggbeater creative vancouver whale watching. If seeing whales in their natural habitat is something you have always wanted to do, then planning a trip to do so is easier than you might think. Because the season is slowing down, there are less boats on the ocean. Or travel with us to oxford river for some once in a lifetime grizzly bear viewing. Each year they intercept the salmon migration in the waters off the southern tip of vancouver island. May 29, 2016 whale watching at the san juan islands from victoria bc on vancouver island canada. The following chart is provided as a guide to help you schedule your whale watching tour to coincide with the marine wildlife you would most like to see. Minke whales have a similar aesthetic to humpback whales, but are are just.
Whale watching in april vancouver island forum tripadvisor. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife. These can be kayaking, highspeed zodiac trips, cruises, or even seaplanes. Get up close and personal with camera hogs like the humpback, known for launching its 36tonne body up and out of the water for playful breaching. Whale watching in bc british columbia travel and adventure. Ocean ecoventures offers whale watching, wildlife encounters and multiday expedition style zodiac marine eco tours exploring the remote waters and wildlife of vancouver island. Humpbacks are the largest whale to frequent vancouver island waters. In contrast, the west coast of the island is exposed to moisturepacked winds blowing from the pacific ocean and receives plenty of precipitation from october to march. 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. These are all typical maneuvers you may expect to see while whale watching off the west coast of vancouver island. Our location wild whales vancouver is situated on granville island, a 510 minute taxi ride from most downtown hotels. For more accessible wildlife encounters, head to vancouver island in march and april to see the gray whale migration, or from may through september when the orca are at their most plentiful.
Whale classification breeding patterns of whales whale migration join us british columbia. Meanwhile on vancouver island, canada, the people of tofino and ucluelet. Humpbacks live in all major oceans and are migratory, spending summers in cooler feed rich waters and mating and calving in warmer tropical and subtropical waters. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whalewatching tour in vancouver. Vancouver island, where you experience the sheer beauty and wilderness of mother nature. 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 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. How to go whale watching from vancouver explore bc. Witness resident killer whales, biggs killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, bears, wolves, bald eagles and so much more. We may even see one devouring a salmon in its own unique way.
Why you should go whale watching in november sustainable. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair. One of the most exciting vancouver island activities is whale watching. We offer year round whale watching and marine eco tours. From a cedar strip canoe, i was resting at a point betwn grebe islets and eagle harbour, offshore about 1 km in west vancouver. Due to the high number of orcas around vancouver island, its almost guaranteed to spot them when you come in the right season. Vancouver island whale watching tour with stunning shots of orcas and humpback whales. Whale watching victoria adventures prince of whales. Board our 30 rigid hull inflatable zodiacs, or one of our high speed covered family cruisers to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. This is the best place in the world to see orcas, the mr. Welcome the first gray whales of the season on vancouver island or try your luck with the blue whales of chile. Four days in vancouver island whale watching paradise. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. 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.
Although wildlife is the focus of our trip, the scenery along the way is not to be forgotten. Situated close to the confluence of the fraser river and the pacific, the whale watching tour has a 95 percent success rate in spotting the mighty mammals. Full day whale watching and wildlife tours vancouver island. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. 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. Telegraph cove, at the northern tip of the island, is often described as the orca capital of the world.
See whales and other marine wildlife on a whale watching tour in vancouver. Whale watching victoria, vancouver island, canada youtube. The ride can get a little bumpy if we encounter waves or the wakes from large boats. Here are three reasons why you should go whale watching in november. Ocean ecoventures offers daily whale watching tours departing from cowichan bay, only 45 minute south of nanaimo. Experience some of the best whale watching on vancouver island. There is a chance of seeing a number of different species of whales including resident and transient orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales in addition to other wildlife including but not limited to seals, sea lions, bald eagles, cormorants, and the race rocks. Whale watching in british columbia tourguide canada. Our 34 hour whale watching tours depart daily from downtown nanaimo bc, april through october. Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and personal. Luckily, if you are staying in vancouver there are plenty of options to get here. Coinciding with our last tours of the season, the sea lions return to nearby haulouts with their new pups. Although we focus on seeing whales, we also make every effort to encounter the many other predatory species that reside in.
We had a remarakable tour a few nights ago, which included both biggs and southern resident killer whale, steller sea lions, and even a grey whale. Here are some of our favourite whale watching routes you can follow on a canada driving holiday or escorted tour. Campbell river whale watching tours let visitors see watching killer whales feeding. Our mission we aspire to be the best whale watching company in the area by. Jessicas love of wildlife, and breathtaking vancouver island, brought her to the bc whale tours team in 2017. Vancouver whale watch was the first whale watching company to operate from the vancouver area, in their 21st year of operation in 2019.
Whale watching in vancouver in winter march vancouver. Tours leave from many locations along the coast, including several spots on vancouver island, and with the help of our facebook fans weve determined the top five places to. Harbour air will fly you from downtown vancouver to downtown victoria in just 35 minutes. In addition to there being more orcas at the north end of the island you also have excellent opportunities to see humpback hales, dalls porpoises, white sided dolphins, seals, sea lions, eagles, sea birds and bears. Combine two activities into one day in the gulf islands, and then return to vancouver via speedboat, cutting the return trip to just two hours. 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. Sep 03, 2018 whale watching vancouver island from granville island this particular tip was starting from granville island, worth a visit in itself.
The majestic orca has long been the proud symbol of our incredible city. Southern vancouver island is the best place to see whales in the wild. Big horns intro 2 by audionautix is licensed under a creative commons attribution license s. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime through excellent customer. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. Whale watching dates in the fall, vancouver island, bc. They are a mammal, a carnivore and can live up to 80 years of age.
However, if you truly want the best place for whale watching then head to the north end of the island. Orca rubbing beach vancouver island best time to visit. British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. F all is the time of year where the wildlife is very active particularily the humpback whales and sea lions. Whale watching on vancouver island breakaway vacations. The ocean off northern vancouver island sees great upwellings of cold water, which means there are lots of nutrientsand therefore lots of food for these amazing creatures. A pair of humpback whales feeding outside of victorias harbour.
When is the best time of year to go whale watching in. Wild whales vancouver is granville islands oldest and bestknown whalewatching company. Travelling and fishing up the stunning bc coast was when roger first discovered his fascination with nature. Youll see orca whales, migrating humpback whales and much more.
Roger obayashi, a local familyman from richmond, bc, spent many years working as a fisherman and skipper before founding wild whales vancouver. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals. 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. Vancouver island whale watching beautiful photos, photo gallery. Our crew bc whale tours victoria whale watching tours. Best whale whale watching discover vancouver island.
Each passes through the seas at slightly different times of the year but overall whale watching season is considered to run from march to october. These majestic animals can be found in the waters of vancouver island during certain times of the year and are one of the top reasons people visit the island. Besides, it is one of the top locations in the world to spot orcas close either on a whale watching cruise or even in a kayak. Humpback whales are equipped with a baleen which resembles thick strands of long hair which acts as a strainer to filter out plankton, krill, herring and other small fish. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale. Eagle wing tours valerie shore the prime whale watching season in british columbia is between april and late. In 2010 she came back to vancouver island to complete high school. Besides the chance for a close encounter with majestic cetaceans, whale watching in tofino also offers the chance to explore the surrounding clayoquot sound clahquat, the traditional territory of the nuuchahnulth people.
The most common whales we can see around vancouver island are orca killer whales, humpback whales and pacific gray. Every trip is different, as we follow reports of the whales location. There are fewer northern vancouver island whale watching companies than elsewhere in b. Many varieties of whales pass through the waters of vancouver s west coast including humpbacks, orcas, grey whales and minke whales. Teachers can download information as needed for classes. The largest whales around vancouver island, the humpback whales vary between 1216 meters 3952 ft and can weigh as much as 36,000 kilograms 79,000lbs. She later studied criminal justice at camosun college. Where to see whales in coastal bc spirit of the west. Victoria is located on the southern tip of vancouver island, located 112 kilometers across the georgia strait from the city of vancouver. Other locations are granville island and richmonds steveston village. The size of a bus the killer whale is the worlds most powerful predator.
Best place to go whale watching in british columbia. There are an estimated 85 orcas living the in waters surrounding southern vancouver island and the gulf islands and up to 285 for all of the island regions combined. Over the summer there are also humpbacks, minke, fin, sperm, and even blue whales off the east and west coasts. The west coast of vancouver island is another great place for whale watching.
The best page i have found for whale season off tofino is from jamies whale watching. You can choose from various tours around the gulf and san juan islands. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. Our incredible crab supper at 1909 kitchen, tofino why go whale watching in tofino, vancouver island. My plan is to head towards tofino, and do a boat tour which will hopefully coincide with the grey whale migration. Premier listings for pacific rim park whale watching the annual northward migration of gray whales through pacific rim national park begins in late february and continues until the end of may. Steveston seabreeze adventures operates from the charming village of steveston, near richmond and the vancouver international airport. For whale watchers, this makes for regular and relatively reliable southern resident killer whale sightings near the american san juan islands throughout the summer months.
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