Killer whales are best observed from mid july through the first week of september. There are three orca pods totaling over 80 whales in victoria s waters alone. We also took an excursion from vancouver over to vancouver island victoria on a whale watching boat. These can be kayaking, highspeed zodiac trips, cruises, or even seaplanes. Travel along victoria s spectacular southern coastline and watch humpback whales, southern right whales, blue whales and orcas as they make their annual pilgrimage from the feeding grounds of antarctica to give birth and raise their calves in australias warmer waters. Choose your victoria whale watching adventure just a short cruise from downtown victoria, an ocean wilderness awaits. 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. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. Steveston and traveling through the spectacular gulf and san juan islands. 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 project, phillip island whale watchers, and wildlife coast cruises.
Humpback whales 40 minutes offshore from victoria, bc photo credit jeff lorton. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in the waters surrounding victoria, including the orca, or killer whale, and gray, humpback, and minke whales. Plenty of other big whales pass by the islands, too, including sei, fin and sperm. 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. In this season, all major cruise companies begin to offer boat trips to see the migration of whales along the coast. 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. Little rainfall and temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s make outdoor excursions like biking, whale watching and vineyard touring more inviting. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced with victoria s boutique whale watching company.
When is the best time to whale watch in victoria bc. By then all the operators have been out since morning and have figured out where the pods are clustering that day. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching. 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. Resident whales along vancouver island are split into two separate communities. 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. Here is a good guide to help you make a decision about the whale watching season in victoria.
Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and personal. You can spot various kinds of whales, like humpback whales, orcas, grey whales, and minke whales. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. Our whale watching tour season here begins in april, and finishes in october. Other aquatic neighbours include sea lions, seals, porpoise and many marine birds. Humpback whales are known to be one of the most playful whales on earth. All of our tours in victoria are 3 hours in duration, departing from two locations. You can choose from various tours around the gulf and san juan islands.
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 west coast of vancouver island is another great place for whale. During our busy summer season juneseptember we do recommend you book a week head of time. During whale watching season, theres nothing like seeing the fluke of a. The best whale watching areas are located in portland, warrnambool, and phillip island a popular day trip from melbourne. Whales choose to give birth and raise their calves just off the victoria coast. Victoria zodiac boat whale watching tour provided by. 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. Embark on a whalewatching excursion onboard a small zodiac boat that allows. Full day whale watching and wildlife tours vancouver island.
Orca killer whale orca whales discover vancouver island. Victoria whale watching tours sea king adventures inc. Its whale watching season visit victoria media hub. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island. Whale watching booking form springtide whale watching. Surrounded by killer whales in victoria, british columbia. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime. Our company our guarantee conservation download our brochure our gift shop gift certificates links. 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. Witness resident killer whales, biggs killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, bears, wolves, bald eagles and so much more. If seeing orcas is a priority, please keep these dates in mind when you book your tour with us.
Looking forward to see whales around phillip island but youre not sure. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whale watching destinations. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. For the orcas off victoria from april, with an increase in sitings from may you might consider a week. Ocean ecoventures offers whale watching, wildlife encounters and multiday expedition style zodiac marine eco tours exploring the remote waters and wildlife of vancouver island. 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.
Coast guard approved security plan, for more information please check security. Look for viewing platforms, clifftops and rocky outcrops along the coast. The best page i have found for whale season off tofino is from jamies whale watching. Here are four criteria for choosing the best whale watching tour for you.
Three pods of about 80 resident orca whales live around the southern tip of vancouver island and in the gulf islands. From there, we often head east to san juan island, or north along the saanich peninsula. Orcas, humpback, minke and gray whales are in their natural habitat on this exciting 3hour whale watching tour. Best whale whale watching discover vancouver island. Best place to go whale watching in british columbia. 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. 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. Wharf street inner harbor and coast harbourside hotel and marina. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. 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. During this time, it is possible to see four different species of whales, two species of porpoises and one species. Click through our online calendar booking service to choose your summer daytrip dates. 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 are not redeemable for cash or any product or service other than that specified on the certificate.
When whale sighting reports come in, we typically alter course towards whales within range of the boat. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife. In fact we can even come to vancouver and pick you up there, or just about anywhere on vancouver island. Activities, food, wine,produce, events on and around phillip island, victoria, australia. Minke whales have a similar aesthetic to humpback whales, but are are just. British columbia is famous for its abundance of whales, and on this 3hour educational canadian cruise, youll get a chance to see them. We also offer whale watching connections between the two cities and exclusive fullday. When booking a day trip or tour, destination canada recommends checking. From the commencement of our tour you will see the snow crowned olympic mountains virtually soar from the sea bed. These small baleen whales can be seen around the globe, but are often more elusive in the vancouver island area. If you are on the north end of the island from julyseptember, orcas, or killer whales, are often seen in the johnstone strait area. Victoria, the capital of vancouver island, is one of the best places to spot whales.
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. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in victoria. 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. Victoria is a very convenient place to go whale watching from, as it is a hub of tourism for.
Whale watching, nature and wildlife, victoria, australia. A quick guide to our whale watching season on south vancouver island. 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. 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. Victoria, bc is the best place on earth to view whales. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair. A whale watching trip is a once in a lifetime experience. 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.
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. If reserving on line please use the promotion code emp1. All gift certificates expire 1 year after purchase date. Wild whales 2020 eggbeater creative vancouver whale watching. Travelers to victoria have a number of whale watching tour options that offer the chance to view whales in their natural habitat. I have a dear friend who lives in victoria and ive always wanted to see orcas, so this. 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.
Depending on which species of whale you want to see, and what type of experience you would like, the answer can be different. Eagle wing tours valerie shore the prime whale watching season in british columbia is. These whales are quite used to boats and will often let the whale watching boats come quite close to them. The rarity of local sightings make for an exciting show if one is lucky. Whale watching victoria adventures prince of whales. 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. Map of the world oceans, january 2015 january 2015 boundary representation is not necessarily authoritative. From may to early october, whales migrate from antarctica along the victorian coastline to the north, to warmer waters near queensland. Ensure that company you chose has qualified staff, the knowledge of our orca naturalists is more than a requirement. Ferry advisory committee fac contact your local ferry advisory committee at fac. 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. Whale watching season 2015, victoria bc springtide tours. Whale watching in april vancouver island forum tripadvisor.
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