Sidney waters boast Vancouver Island's highest concentration of Orca (killer whale) sightings.
The southern resident community of Orcas – three pods in Sidney's waters – spends most of its year in the Salish Sea and Puget Sound. But that's not all: Sightings of humpback, grey and minke whales are common, too.
Some lucky watchers sight transient whales, the carnivorous whales that travel in pods of up to five. Also known as "silent predators," they like nothing better than a lunch of seal.
Whale Olympics
Each of the three resident pods contains 20 to 60 whales. "Spyhopping" is when whales remain vertical in the sea, maybe just taking a gander at enthralled humans. The whale watchers' grail is the breach, when the mammals jump clear out of the water and make a spectacular splash as they come down. Photographers with zoom lenses go for the supreme moment.
Whale-Watching Tours
Whale-watching outfits operate from the Port Sidney Marina. Emerald Sea Adventures employs a 10m/32.8ft custom-built Zodiac equipped with quiet, environmentally friendly motors and a hydrophone to listen in on "whale music." It provides float suits to keep customers warm and cozy throughout the 4-hour adventure. On the aft deck, seating is arranged with photographers in mind and there's lots of freedom to move around.
Both custom DVD and photography group charters are easily arranged.
SeaQuest Adventures offers whale watching expeditions in its vessel K-Ko (pronounced Kay-Ko), named after the boat in the movie Free Willy. It has full washrooms and walk-around seating important for photographers. The company guarantees whales. No whales sighted and a refund awaits. How's that for confidence?
In addition to sightings of the great whales, expeditions meander around scores of small offshore islands to view bays, beaches, Dall's porpoises, seals, sea lions, bird colonies and bald eagles' nests. Exhilaration builds layer by layer to an experiencing of wonder.
For more information on local whale watching, drop into the Sidney Visitor Centre at 10382 Pat Bay Highway, just two minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
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