Whale Watching
Sightseers whale watching (Canadian Tourism Commission photo)
In 2010, Travel + Leisure magazine named Vancouver Island one of North America’s Best Whale Watching Spots.
Go on a Vancouver Island whale-watching tour to see Orcas (killer whales), Pacific grey whales, humpback whales and lots of other marine wildlife.
This is an ideal place for whale watching: an estimated 85 Orcas live in the the waters around southern Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands, while the northeast coast is home to about 250 Orcas, as well as minke and humpback whales. Some 20,000 Pacific grey whales make their annual migration along Vancouver Island’s west coast – there’s even a whale festival to celebrate their journey.
Check out popular Vancouver Island whale-watching tours in Tofino, Ucluelet, Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay, Port McNeill and Campbell River, Victoria, the southern Gulf Islands and even Vancouver.
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When To Go Whale Watching
Whale watching season varies depending on species. In the Gulf Islands, sightings are most common between May and November when great numbers of salmon, a staple food, are spawning nearby. Between mid-March and mid-April, witness the migration of Pacific grey whales along Vancouver Island’s west coast as they travel from Mexico to the Bering Sea. The months between February and October offer grey whale viewing in Clayoquot and Barkley sounds, while mid-June to October is the best time to spot Orcas in the Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago.
Whale-Watching Tours
A variety of whale-watching tours are available to suit any itinerary. Spend an afternoon on the water on a three- to five-hour tour, combine a morning of whale watching with a trip to Hot Springs Cove (near Tofino) or take a week to whale watch on a luxurious sailboat with comfortable amenities and onboard naturalists.
Whale-watching operators often offer multiple boat options – speed along the water in an open-air Zodiac or catamaran or relax inside a heated cabin on a yacht or cruiser. View whales breaching or eagles soaring from elevated platforms, listen to fascinating facts from guides through an onboard sound system or even eavesdrop on whales using a hydrophone. Experienced paddler? Some operators lead kayak tours, often with beach camping and up-close encounters with marine life.
Popular Whale Watching Spots
Take in cold water surfing culture, in addition to sightings of Pacific grey whales, Orcas and humpback whales, with tours in Tofino and Ucluelet. At the Wickaninnish Centre in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, peer through telescopes to look for migrating whales or watch for whales from the shoreline Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet. Celebrate the annual migration of the Pacific grey whale at the Pacific Rim Whale Festival (March), with family activities, lectures and whale viewing.
Visit the waters of north Vancouver Island for prime whale-watching tours from Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill and Alert Bay. Look for Orcas, minke whales and humpback whales. Many Orcas frequent the waters of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve in Johnstone Strait to take advantage of its "rubbing stones" – these are the only Orcas known to rub their bodies on smooth pebbles beaches. Combine a whale-watching tour with a visit to the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove or explore local Aboriginal culture at the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay.
Travel sheltered inland waters on Campbell River whale-watching tours, where, unlike open-water whale-watching trips, guided tours often travel only meters from the shorelines. See bears foraging, eagles fishing, and marine life such as seals, porpoises and the occasional humpback whale.
The southern Gulf Islands lie in close proximity to the feeding grounds of three pods of southern resident Orcas. Head to the Gulf Islands on a Vancouver whale-watching tour or from various locations on south Vancouver Island, including tours from Sidney and tours from Victoria. Ferries run between islands, as well as to the mainland, with whale sightings often announced on board.
Practical Points
- Peak season for whale watching is between May and November.
- Most whale watching operators require advance reservations.
- Dress in warm layers as boat decks can be breezy.
- Seasickness is generally not an issue, but for trips on open waters be prepared for some motion.
- Visit local Visitor Centres for help with trip ideas, planning and transportation.
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37 Whale Watching in Vancouver Island
31 - 37 of 37 Results
31
209-1110 Government St.
Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 1Y2
Websitehttp://www.MapleLeafAdventures.com
Toll-free888-599-5323
Phone250-386-7245
Rated "Trip of a Lifetime" by Frommer's (2000-2012) & a "Best Adventure Travel Company on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure (2009). Take a multi-day adventure cruise on the 28 m (92 ft) schooner Maple Leaf to really experience BC's wildlife, landscape & culture. Cruise islands & fjords, explore ancient rainforests. A-list naturalists & guides lead you to intimate bear, whale & seabird viewing & First Nations sites. Frequent shore trips, gourmet cuisine, friendly crew & accommodations. Queen Charlotte Islands, Great Bear Rainforest, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands. By a leader in sustainable tourism, these trips are for people who enjoy the path less travelled. Visit us for information.
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32
Based In Heriot Bay
Quadra Island, British Columbia
V0P 1H0
Websitehttp://www.mothershipadventures.com
Toll-free888-833-8887
Phone250-202-3229
Join us for the exhilarating & unforgettable mothership adventure of your dreams. Extraordinary wildlife viewing, breathtaking landscapes & warm, hospitable crew combine to thoroughly satisfy & delight every guest. We offer a variety of sea kayak tours where we paddle each day & return to the mothership each night. Accompanied by qualified naturalists, we explore the remote wilderness areas of coastal British Columbia, kayak through glacial fed waters, amongst lushly forested islands dotted with ancient First Nations village sites & observe numerous species of wildlife including orca killer whales, dolphins, harbour seals, black bears, grizzly bears, bald eagles & deer.
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33
1660 Telegraph Cove Rd
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
V0N 3J0
Websitehttp://www.kayakbc.ca
Toll-free877-949-7707
Phone250-928-3114
Sea Kayak Tours from Telegraph Cove providing you with the best opportunity for the unforgettable experience of viewing orca or killer whales & many other marine mammals in their natural, wilderness environment.
2 hour, half day & day guided tours departing daily.
Guided tours from 2-6 days in the realm of the Orca, led by highly trained passionate guides, excellent equipment, meals that will delight & an overall experience that will safely provide you with life long memories, while causing the minimum impact on the area.
Call for last minute specials!
Kayak & equipment rentals available.
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34
Websitehttp://www.oceanadventures.bc.ca
Toll-free
Phone604-812-9453
Join us to experience unparallelled wildlife viewing, whale watching, & awe-inspiring First Nations culture, amidst BC's most spectacular landscapes. Our small group sizes mean our guests enjoy the most intimate experiences with nature & our photographers the best opportunities... our guests are never just part of a crowd. With our small groups (maximum 6 guests per trip), our fully certified professional guides can better ensure the safety of the group while having the least impact on the lands we visit & the wildlife we view. Join our scheduled trips or design your own custom (private) charter and experience the Wild in Wilderness!
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35
7050 Rupert St
Port Hardy, British Columbia
V0N 2P0
Websitehttp://www.seakayakadventures.com
Toll-free800-616-1943
Phone800-616-1943
Fully catered guided sea kayaking & whale watching tours in BC's Johnstone Strait (home to Robson Bight - world's only orca preserve) & God's Pocket Provincial Park, northern Vancouver Island, since 1996. Our 4, 5 & 6 day paddling tours in heart of whale territory allow you to maximize chances of seeing orcas & whales & explore new paddling areas daily. Novices welcome - no prior experience is necessary. We use top of the line BC-made Seaward kayaks, whip up memorable gourmet food & provide all gear & kayak instruction needed.
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36
Telegraph Cove
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
V0N 3J0
Websitehttp://www.tiderip.com
Toll-free888-643-9319
Phone250-339-5320
See grizzly bears in the wilds of Knight Inlet. Tours depart daily from Telegraph Cove, the whale watching centre on northern Vancouver Island, by covered boat. Watch grizzly bears eat salmon, eagles pick the scraps. Sea birds, dolphins, seals, black bears, grizzlies. We depart early at 7:00 am to assure grizzly bear sightings; we had 94% sightings on 2011 trips. We run in a covered boat with on-board washroom, then at the grizzly bear hot spot we switch to big open skiffs to get in close to the action. Lunch & light breakfast is included amidst the splendour of Knight Inlet.
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37
685 Heriot Bay Rd
Heriot Bay, British Columbia
V0P 1N0
Websitehttp://www.kayakbritishcolumbia.com
Toll-free
Phone250-204-0420
Kayak with Killer Whales at our Orca base camp in Johnstone Strait or take one of our kayak expedition vacations to Desolation Sound, Discovery Islands or the Fjordlands. Trips range from 4 to 7 days. We provide memorable outdoor experiences for adventure travellers that combine spectacular scenery, scrumptious food & abundant wildlife encounters including whales, dolphins, bears & eagles. Our top-rated service caters to both local & international clientele. All tours are fully inclusive & no kayaking experience is required. Only have a day? Visit our storefront for paddleboard & kayak rentals or day tours in the stunning vistas surrounding Quadra Island.
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