Only 15 minutes from Port McNeill lies the Broughton Archipelago, BC's largest marine park. It is a realm of bald eagles, jumping salmon, harbour seals, sea lions and bears, but best of all, Orca, Minke and Humpback whales.
Whale Species
Whale-watching in these waters is a contender for best in the world. Northern Resident Orcas, Minkes and Humpback whales return each year. In summer 200 whales ply Southern Queen Charlotte Sound and Johnstone Strait.
Orca Whales
The Orca or killer whale is king, roughly 9m/30ft long, powerful, graceful, majestic, awe-inspiring. Resident Orcas are fish-eaters, Transient Orcas carnivorous and with a taste for seals. Whales travel in pods, each pod with its own language. Hear for yourself. Listen in on a hydrophone, an underwater microphone.
Whale-Watching Tours Mackay Whale Watching
Port McNeill's multiple whale-watching adventures range from day trips to seven-day expeditions. Mackay Whale Watching transports visitors to the Broughton Archipelago aboard the Naiad Explorer in search of killer whale pods, porpoises, sea lions and bald eagles. The 48-passenger Explorer may be the smartest whale-watching boat on the BC coast with its large size, speed, heated interior, washroom facilities, hydrophones for listening to whale music and stable platform for photography. Excursions last for four hours.
Ocean Rose Coastal Adventures
Ocean Rose Coastal Adventures takes visitors whale-watching in speedy Zodiacs with maximum flexibility for negotiating bays and coves. Its day-long Killer Whale Nature Tours pursue not only the celebrated Orcas, but Minkes and Humpbacks, Stellar sea lions, porpoises and black bears. The company also offers sightseeing, photography and sunset cruises. Camera and zoom lenses are essential gear.
Viking Adventure Tours
Nanaimo-based Viking Adventure Tours offers 3-day-long Orca adventures aboard the 16.45m/54ft Viking I. Tours concentrate on Johnstone Island and Blackfish Sound for whale sightings. The final day is devoted to exploring islands, coastline and abandoned Aboriginal villages.
Ocean Kayaking with Whales Coastal Spirits
Quadra Island-based Coastal Spirits invites visitors to kayak with whales. Expeditions from its base camp on the Johnstone Strait run for four days. The only kayak camp on the shores of the Orca Reserve and Rubbing Beaches, it spoils guests with safari tent accommodations, real beds, barbecues, beach sauna and campfires. The initial boat journey through the Inside Passage is an eye-popper.
Ecosummer Expeditions
Clearwater-based Ecosummer Expeditions offers four-to-seven-day adventures from its Orca Camp on Johnstone Strait. The base camp sits on a half-moon bay flanked by old-growth forest. Activities come designed for seasoned and newbie kayakers. Participants observe and photograph whales on the surface and listen to their communications with hydrophones. Such wonder. For more information on whale watching and tours, pop into the Port McNeill Visitor Centre at 1594 Beach Drive.