Aug, 20 combine hiking with whale watching in one of the best locations in the country to watch whales from the shore. Our whale watching season usually starts in mid february and lasts until the end of october. Whale watching in bc british columbia travel and adventure. Discover magnificent orcas killer whales, majestic humpback whales, bow riding porpoises, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and more. We are proud to announce that in 2016 we had a success rate of 97% for the season. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whale watching tour in vancouver. This is the best place in the world to see orcas, the mr.
Wild whales vancouver currently has two vessels in our fleet, and two more coming in june 2019. Wild whales vancouver is located 5 to 10 minutes from most hotels in the downtown area with easy access to granville island. Ethical and sustainable whale watching departing from nanaimo, british columbia, canada. Victoria is located on the southern tip of vancouver island, located 112 kilometers across the georgia strait from the city of vancouver. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas. Whale watching pictures beautiful photos, photo gallery. Northwest indie rock, and naturalistic lyrics inspired by the water and mountains of their hometown of vancouver. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii.
Killer whale or also known as the orca whale often transit the waters of discovery passage between vancouver island and quadra island. 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. If youre eager to get on the water, tour companies in cape breton highlands also offers zodiac and catamaran excursions. Whaletrips british columbia whale watching in british. Every march and april, the pacific rim national park and the communities of tofino and ucluelet celebrate the return of the gray whale during its annual spring migration. 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. Luxury tented whale watching camp vancover island british. Surrounded by three oceans, its no wonder that canada is an amazing destination for whale watchers. Minke whales have a similar aesthetic to humpback whales, but are are just. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island. You may notice that departure times vary slightly from what. Youll see orca whales, migrating humpback whales and much more.
Where else does an everchanging cast of marine mammals and birds of prey vie for your attention, nearly every moment of the day. Please check under book now for specific daily departure times on our covered and zodiac boats. Apr 10, 2018 our 2018 whale watching season has begun. Both sides of vancouver island afford primo opportunities. On the west coast, tofino is a quaint town with an embedded orcawatching culture. Southern british columbia is one of the premier areas in the world for whale watching. The main target species from vancouver victoria are orcas and humpback whales, and neither are relieably present in early spring. Downtown whalewatching tours operate from granville island, coal harbour and richmonds steveston village out to the southern gulf and san juan islands. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whalewatching tour in vancouver. Telegraph cove on vancouver island, the orca capital of the world.
Tofino whale watching tours ocean outfitters, tofino bc. Where else can you explore white shell beaches spanned by the lush rainforest of the inner coast. In 2010 she came back to vancouver island to complete high school. The main target species from vancouvervictoria are orcas and humpback whales, and neither are relieably present in early spring. 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. All four of these vessels have been custom built for whale watching and are exceptional for wildlife viewing. Jessicas love of wildlife, and breathtaking vancouver island, brought her to the bc whale tours team in 2017. Many of these whales go through canada as part of their migration. When it comes to whale watching tours, orcas are often considered the main attraction. May 29, 2016 whale watching at the san juan islands from victoria bc on vancouver island canada. The majestic orca has long been the proud symbol of our incredible city. Prince of whales whale watching vancouver all you need to. 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.
Sidney whale watching is a family owned and operated company that has been serving sidney and the saanich peninsula for over 20 years. Book your tickets online for vancouver whale watch, richmond. The killer whale or orca, is the largest of the dolphins, a predator, feeding on fish, seals, and sometimes whales. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. Orca dreams whale watching camp is located in what visitors cant help but call paradise. Our vessel can travel great distances in minimal time, ensuring more time spent with the whales. Many of the whale watching tour companies also offer black bear and grizzly bear excursions. 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. Whale watching in british columbia mainly boils down to whale watching on vancouver island, even if you can also book tours directly from vancouver. They are a mammal, a carnivore and can live up to 80 years of age. Our mission we aspire to be the best whale watching. Come aboard one of our two 40passenger expedition catamarans, each of which combines comfort, speed, safety, and your choice of 3 viewing platforms.
For a large part of the year this applies to the killer whale, but tour companies only operate during the late spring to early fall time period. 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. She later studied criminal justice at camosun college. Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and personal. 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. Big horns intro 2 by audionautix is licensed under a creative commons attribution license s. With the help of a large whale spotting network, we are able to locate whales on most days during the spring and summer months. As most whales are migratory, they visit rich waters for feeding. Wild whales vancouver 2020 all you need to know before. Whale watching vancouver island why visit parksville.
Therefore, you will find many companies offer whale watching tours here. We offer world class tours in the gulf islands with a focus on marine. We offer various morning, midday, and afternoon departures. Canadas atlantic coast from the atlantic provinces, follow in the footsteps of the regions maritime heritage to venture out into the north atlantic or the gulf of st. Halfday whale watching adventure from vancouver provided by prince of whales whale watching. Prince of whales adventures bcs best whale watching. Well take you through the salish sea ecosystem to see whales and other marine life in their natural habitat. Small personal tour groups, never more than 12 passengers on our boats.
Make sure you find the right area and season for best chances to spot these kings of the oceans. 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. Parksville qualicum beachs central location makes it the perfect base for whale watching vancouver island. 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. Our mission we aspire to be the best whale watching company in the area by. Combine hiking with whale watching in one of the best locations in the country to watch whales from the shore. Each and every one of our team members loves what we do, and therefore, we strive to make our tours as memorable as possible. Southern vancouver island is the best place to see whales in the wild. 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. In just over an hours drive you can hop on a killer whale watching tour at campbell river. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. Watch for orca whales and other marine wildlife on a halfday whale watching tour in vancouver.
Our location wild whales vancouver is situated on granville island, a 510 minute taxi ride from most downtown hotels. To make a booking for a time within the next 24hrs please call for availability. 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. Boats from victoria and vancouver, bc, will help you seek not just the killer whales but also minkes, humpbacks, pacific whitesided dolphins, and stellers sea lions. Halfday whale watching adventure from vancouver provided. Highest killer whale sightings in british columbia. Whale watching at the san juan islands from victoria bc on vancouver island canada. Apr 25, 2016 this was taken 42016 on a whale watching tour with wild whales vancouver in bc, canada. Coinciding with our last tours of the season, the sea lions return to nearby haulouts with their new pups. Whale classification breeding patterns of whales whale migration join us british columbia.
Our coastal wilderness is home to killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, eagles, and more. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. 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. Every trip is different, as we follow reports of the whales location. Although wildlife is the focus of our trip, the scenery along the way is not to be forgotten. This was taken 42016 on a whale watching tour with wild whales vancouver in bc, canada. Ocean ecoventures is the most centrally located whale watching company on vancouver island with the highest sighting of orcas and humpback whales every year. Reports of killer whales were plentiful during our offseason and we are expecting this trend to continue. When putting together the plan and itinerary for our 20 canada trip, one of the things that were on top of the priority list right from the start was whale watching. Whale watching is one of the things you really have to do during your travel in canada. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Jun 04, 2019 5 best places to go whale watching in canada this summer.
Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. 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. This page is about where and when to view these magnificent marine mammals. Our 34 hour whale watching tours depart daily from downtown nanaimo bc, april through october. The waters around vancouver island host large resident pods of nearly.
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. 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. Maximum weight for our largest flotation suit which must be worn on zodiac tours is 280 lbs 127 kg. Most images are taken while we were out whale watching for killer whales, but there are also images of other whales such as humpback whales, minke whales and dolphins as. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale. Some even come in the winter months for an uncrowded adventure. British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. Luckily, if you are staying in vancouver there are plenty of options to get here. Whale watching in vancouver in winter march vancouver. Go during the peak season of julyaugust for the best chance of spotting humpback and fin whales.
The size of a bus the killer whale is the worlds most powerful predator. There is so much to see on a whale watching trip, and your jaw will drop when you first see a massive grey whale, a huge mammal that is still elegant and graceful in the water. I do not want to knock victoria as there is good viewing around there and if travelling further north is difficult time wise it is a good choice. Come for the afternoon, or stay a few nights at one of our partner hotels. The peak season is from mid march to mid april, with some whales staying in the area to feed during the summer months. Whale watching opportunities in march around vancouver island are very limited.
Tours are three hours in length, with april through october being the ideal whale watching months. We may even see one devouring a salmon in its own unique way. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime through excellent customer. Whale watching british columbia vancouver islands watching. A short boat journey from the bustling city of vancouver or victoria, the picturesque capital of british columbia, and youre in prime whale watching territory. A selection of our whale watching in british columbia pictures which we have collected over many years off the vancouver island coast in british columbia in western canada. All around us theyll be vocalizing, hundreds of sea lions growling all through the day and night.
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. Prince of whales whale watching vancouver all you need. Victoria is good for orcas but heading further north to telegraph cove andor port mcneill is better for viewing orcas and other wildlife. Killer whale watching in vancouver orca whales in canada. Vancouver s largest and most experienced whale watching company.
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. Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals. 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. The tail of a humpback whale in the atlantic ocean off the coast of newfoundland. Halfday whale watching adventure from vancouver provided by. Unlike openair speed boats, this heated whale watching boat has indoor and outdoor viewing decks so youll enjoy a comfortable trip in any weather. Have a bathroom onboard, are equipped with the latest in marine safety, navigation, and communication equipment.
We have been avidly watching whale reports and sightings over the winter counting down the days until april 1st. 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. They can measure up to 32 feet in length and can weigh up to 6 tons. Another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island. Through the internet, we found several companies offering whale. Sep 03, 2018 whale watching vancouver island from granville island this particular tip was starting from granville island, worth a visit in itself. Granville island is really a village, on an island obviously, in the middle of world city vancouver. 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. Vancouver island whale watching beautiful photos, photo. Harbour air will fly you from downtown vancouver to downtown victoria in just 35 minutes. We respect the investment our guests make to join us and we are dedicated to making your trip the experience of a lifetime. Our crew bc whale tours victoria whale watching tours.
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