From there, we often head east to san juan island, or north along the saanich peninsula. These whales are quite used to boats and will often let the whale watching boats come quite close to them. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime. Best whale whale watching discover vancouver island. You can choose from various tours around the gulf and san juan islands. 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. Gift certificates for whale watching tours are valid for use from april 15 october 31. Victoria is one of the top spots for orca killer whale watching on vancouver island but you also have a chance to spot humpback, minke and gray whales. Whale watching booking form springtide whale watching. Coast guard approved security plan, for more information please check security. There are three orca pods totaling over 80 whales in victoria s waters alone. Five star whale watching is the fairmont empress hotel inhouse whale watching company, and as a guest of the hotel we have a special offer for you.
When booking a day trip or tour, destination canada recommends checking. This iconic black and white creature with its tall dorsal fin, almost like a maritime top hat, has both delighted tourists and been studied scientifically for years. After our unsuccessful search for whale sharks in belize a few months ago, we were thrilled to be invited by tourism victoria to go on a whale watching tour with prince of whales. Whale project, phillip island whale watchers, and wildlife coast cruises. 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. British columbia is famous for its abundance of whales, and on this 3hour educational canadian cruise, youll get a chance to see them. Activities, food, wine,produce, events on and around phillip island, victoria, australia. A quick guide to our whale watching season on south vancouver island. By then all the operators have been out since morning and have figured out where the pods are clustering that day. Witness resident killer whales, biggs killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, bears, wolves, bald eagles and so much more. Best place to go whale watching in british columbia.
Popular places to go whale watching around vancouver island whale species in british columbia best season to go whale watching in british columbia good reasons for joining a whale watch tour. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. Victoria zodiac boat whale watching tour provided by. Here are four criteria for choosing the best whale watching tour for you. Choose your victoria whale watching adventure just a short cruise from downtown victoria, an ocean wilderness awaits. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair. Victoria, bc is the best place on earth to view whales. Look for viewing platforms, clifftops and rocky outcrops along the coast. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in the waters surrounding victoria, including the orca, or killer whale, and gray, humpback, and minke whales.
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. In fact we can even come to vancouver and pick you up there, or just about anywhere on vancouver island. Embark on a whalewatching excursion onboard a small zodiac boat that allows. For the orcas off victoria from april, with an increase in sitings from may you might consider a week. Our company our guarantee conservation download our brochure our gift shop gift certificates links. I have a dear friend who lives in victoria and ive always wanted to see orcas, so this. Travelers to victoria have a number of whale watching tour options that offer the chance to view whales in their natural habitat. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife. Our whale watching tour season here begins in april, and finishes in october. Full day whale watching and wildlife tours vancouver island. When is the best time to whale watch in victoria bc.
Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. Ensure that company you chose has qualified staff, the knowledge of our orca naturalists is more than a requirement. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. Minke whales have a similar aesthetic to humpback whales, but are are just. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich.
Humpback whales are known to be one of the most playful whales on earth. From the commencement of our tour you will see the snow crowned olympic mountains virtually soar from the sea bed. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. During mating season, the males will sing organized and complex songs with distinct melodies and themes that can be heard over twenty miles away. Wharf street inner harbor and coast harbourside hotel and marina. While the pods may be out there 247, you have a better chance of your boat actually finding orcas if you go out later in the day. Located in the heart of victoria s beautiful inner harbour, prince of whales is the largest yearround whale watching and ecoadventure company in victoria, british. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in victoria. Killer whales are best observed from mid july through the first week of september. While cruising on a 40passenger boat specifically designed for whale watching, witness these impressive mammals as two onboard naturalists provide interesting and informative commentary on the pacific marine life off the coast of canada. Whales can be spotted out at sea all along the great ocean road, past phillip island and on to gippslands south coast, however, the best. Why victoria has the best whale watching on vancouver island vancouver island is worldrenowned for its whale watching, and at the heart of the action is the city of victoria.
The west coast of vancouver island is another great place for whale. We also offer whale watching connections between the two cities and exclusive fullday. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced with victoria s boutique whale watching company. Victoria is a very convenient place to go whale watching from, as it is a hub of tourism for. Whales choose to give birth and raise their calves just off the victoria coast. During this time, it is possible to see four different species of whales, two species of porpoises and one species.
Surrounded by killer whales in victoria, british columbia. About bc whale tours leave the crowds behind on our custom made vessels specifically designed for comfort, speed and safety that carry only 12 guests at a time. All of our tours in victoria are 3 hours in duration, departing from two locations. Wild whales 2020 eggbeater creative vancouver whale watching. These can be kayaking, highspeed zodiac trips, cruises, or even seaplanes. Whale watching in april vancouver island forum tripadvisor. Whale watching victoria adventures prince of whales. If reserving on line please use the promotion code emp1. Humpback whales 40 minutes offshore from victoria, bc photo credit jeff lorton. Wander through the abundance of gourmet shops and local artist studios on granville island, explore the lush, thousandacre stanley park, learn more about the history of the region at the museum of anthropology or check out a few of our other favorite. The best whale watching areas are located in portland, warrnambool, and phillip island a popular day trip from melbourne. These small baleen whales can be seen around the globe, but are often more elusive in the vancouver island area. Victoria whale watching tours sea king adventures inc. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a victoria whale watching adventure.
A typical route takes us along victoria s scenic waterfront to oak bay and the chain islets, where we pause to watch harbor seals and seabirds. A whale watching trip is a once in a lifetime experience. The best page i have found for whale season off tofino is from jamies whale watching. The rarity of local sightings make for an exciting show if one is lucky. Birds of a feather whale watching departures can be from victoria s inner harbour, from sidney, metchosin, sooke, salt spring island, or anywhere we can trailer the boat. Whales can be spotted at sea all along victoria s coast, including the great ocean road, around phillip island and down to gippslands south coast.
A typical 3 hour tour takes you along the waterfront of oak bay and the chain islets allowing you to see harbor seals and sea birds. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching. Its whale watching season visit victoria media hub. Call or click to make a reservation now and mention you are staying at the empress hotel to get a special rate. Whether you choose a naturalistled, marine ecologythemed boat cruise, a tour that combines whale watching with a trip to butchart gardens, or a seaplane tour that drops you off at a ship for whale watching, youre sure to remember your experience. Ferry advisory committee fac contact your local ferry advisory committee at fac. Chances are youve travelled a long way or youre about to and you want nothing more than to fulfill your dream of seeing whales. Eagle wing tours valerie shore the prime whale watching season in british columbia is. During whale watching season, theres nothing like seeing the fluke of a. Gift certificates are not redeemable for cash or any product or service other than that specified on the certificate. Little rainfall and temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s make outdoor excursions like biking, whale watching and vineyard touring more inviting. Whale watching, nature and wildlife, victoria, australia. You can spot various kinds of whales, like humpback whales, orcas, grey whales, and minke whales. If seeing orcas is a priority, please keep these dates in mind when you book your tour with us.
If you are on the north end of the island from julyseptember, orcas, or killer whales, are often seen in the johnstone strait area. All gift certificates expire 1 year after purchase date. 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. May to september, you can book a 5hour whale watching tour that leaves from vancouvers burrard inlet and docks right in front of the fairmont empress in victoria.
From may to early october, whales migrate from antarctica along the victorian coastline to the north, to warmer waters near queensland. Chance of spotting rarer species add an extra thrill to whale watching when whale watching near victoria, keep an eye out for the lesser known minke whale. During our busy summer season juneseptember we do recommend you book a week head of time. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island. Steveston and traveling through the spectacular gulf and san juan islands.
We walked to the harbor and decided last minute to book a whale watching tour with a company that we found while walking, orca spirit, it was the best tour i. Plenty of other big whales pass by the islands, too, including sei, fin and sperm. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. Resident whales along vancouver island are split into two separate communities. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whale watching destinations.
Click through our online calendar booking service to choose your summer daytrip dates. Map of the world oceans, january 2015 january 2015 boundary representation is not necessarily authoritative. Orcas, humpback, minke and gray whales are in their natural habitat on this exciting 3hour whale watching tour. Ocean ecoventures offers whale watching, wildlife encounters and multiday expedition style zodiac marine eco tours exploring the remote waters and wildlife of vancouver island. Victoria, the capital of vancouver island, is one of the best places to spot whales. Looking forward to see whales around phillip island but youre not sure. In this season, all major cruise companies begin to offer boat trips to see the migration of whales along the coast. There are 36spaces available near the upper tollbooth and another 16 angle spaces near the upper tollbooth. Other aquatic neighbours include sea lions, seals, porpoise and many marine birds. Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and personal. Here is a good guide to help you make a decision about the whale watching season in victoria.
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