There are three orca pods totaling over 80 whales in victoria s waters alone. Embark on a whalewatching excursion onboard a small zodiac boat that allows. Ferry advisory committee fac contact your local ferry advisory committee at fac. 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. Minke whales have a similar aesthetic to humpback whales, but are are just. I have a dear friend who lives in victoria and ive always wanted to see orcas, so this. 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. Orca killer whale orca whales discover vancouver island. Surrounded by killer whales in victoria, british columbia. By then all the operators have been out since morning and have figured out where the pods are clustering that day. You can choose from various tours around the gulf and san juan islands. The west coast of vancouver island is another great place for whale. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island.
Killer whales are best observed from mid july through the first week of september. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. 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. Whale watching, nature and wildlife, victoria, australia. Activities, food, wine,produce, events on and around phillip island, victoria, australia. From may to early october, whales migrate from antarctica along the victorian coastline to the north, to warmer waters near queensland. Wild whales 2020 eggbeater creative vancouver whale watching. Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and personal. These can be kayaking, highspeed zodiac trips, cruises, or even seaplanes.
Humpback whales 40 minutes offshore from victoria, bc photo credit jeff lorton. All of our tours in victoria are 3 hours in duration, departing from two locations. 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. These small baleen whales can be seen around the globe, but are often more elusive in the vancouver island area. Gift certificates for whale watching tours are valid for use from april 15 october 31. British columbia is famous for its abundance of whales, and on this 3hour educational canadian cruise, youll get a chance to see them. Whale watching victoria adventures prince of whales. Looking forward to see whales around phillip island but youre not sure. Wharf street inner harbor and coast harbourside hotel and marina. Our whale watching tour season here begins in april, and finishes in october. From there, we often head east to san juan island, or north along the saanich peninsula. Victoria whale watching tours sea king adventures inc. Ocean ecoventures offers whale watching, wildlife encounters and multiday expedition style zodiac marine eco tours exploring the remote waters and wildlife of vancouver island.
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. Victoria zodiac boat whale watching tour provided by. Click through our online calendar booking service to choose your summer daytrip dates. 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. Here are four criteria for choosing the best whale watching tour for you. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair. The rarity of local sightings make for an exciting show if one is lucky. 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.
Other aquatic neighbours include sea lions, seals, porpoise and many marine birds. 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 watching in april vancouver island forum tripadvisor. Whale watching season 2015, victoria bc springtide tours. Best whale whale watching discover 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. Victoria is a very convenient place to go whale watching from, as it is a hub of tourism for.
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 tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. During this time, it is possible to see four different species of whales, two species of porpoises and one species. Gift certificates are not redeemable for cash or any product or service other than that specified on the certificate. Whale project, phillip island whale watchers, and wildlife coast cruises. 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. Call or click to make a reservation now and mention you are staying at the empress hotel to get a special rate. Depending on which species of whale you want to see, and what type of experience you would like, the answer can be different. Our company our guarantee conservation download our brochure our gift shop gift certificates links. When is the best time to whale watch in victoria bc. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whale watching destinations.
Here is a good guide to help you make a decision about the whale watching season in victoria. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime. If you are on the north end of the island from julyseptember, orcas, or killer whales, are often seen in the johnstone strait area. When whale sighting reports come in, we typically alter course towards whales within range of the boat. For the orcas off victoria from april, with an increase in sitings from may you might consider a week.
We also took an excursion from vancouver over to vancouver island victoria on a whale watching boat. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced with victoria s boutique whale watching company. If seeing orcas is a priority, please keep these dates in mind when you book your tour 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. Victoria, bc is the best place on earth to view whales. Whales choose to give birth and raise their calves just off the victoria coast. Chances are youve travelled a long way or youre about to and you want nothing more than to fulfill your dream of seeing whales. Victoria, the capital of vancouver island, is one of the best places to spot whales. Choose your victoria whale watching adventure just a short cruise from downtown victoria, an ocean wilderness awaits. The best whale watching areas are located in portland, warrnambool, and phillip island a popular day trip from melbourne.
Plenty of other big whales pass by the islands, too, including sei, fin and sperm. The best page i have found for whale season off tofino is from jamies whale watching. 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. Coast guard approved security plan, for more information please check security. During mating season, the males will sing organized and complex songs with distinct melodies and themes that can be heard over twenty miles away. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. 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. Steveston and traveling through the spectacular gulf and san juan islands. 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. Map of the world oceans, january 2015 january 2015 boundary representation is not necessarily authoritative. A quick guide to our whale watching season on south vancouver island. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife. Best place to go whale watching in british columbia.
When is the best time for port angeles whale watching. Ensure that company you chose has qualified staff, the knowledge of our orca naturalists is more than a requirement. 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. Orcas, humpback, minke and gray whales are in their natural habitat on this exciting 3hour whale watching tour. During whale watching season, theres nothing like seeing the fluke of a. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. Resident whales along vancouver island are split into two separate communities. Three pods of about 80 resident orca whales live around the southern tip of vancouver island and in the gulf islands. When booking a day trip or tour, destination canada recommends checking. All gift certificates expire 1 year after purchase date. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in victoria. If reserving on line please use the promotion code emp1.
A whale watching trip is a once in a lifetime experience. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. 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. During our busy summer season juneseptember we do recommend you book a week head of time. Whale watching booking form springtide whale watching. Humpback whales are known to be one of the most playful whales on earth. In this season, all major cruise companies begin to offer boat trips to see the migration of whales along the coast. Full day whale watching and wildlife tours vancouver island. You can spot various kinds of whales, like humpback whales, orcas, grey whales, and minke whales. 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. 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.
The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in the waters surrounding victoria, including the orca, or killer whale, and gray, humpback, and minke whales. Look for viewing platforms, clifftops and rocky outcrops along the coast. There are 36spaces available near the upper tollbooth and another 16 angle spaces near the upper tollbooth. From the commencement of our tour you will see the snow crowned olympic mountains virtually soar from the sea bed. 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. 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. Witness resident killer whales, biggs killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, bears, wolves, bald eagles and so much more. 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. Travelers to victoria have a number of whale watching tour options that offer the chance to view whales in their natural habitat. Its whale watching season visit victoria media hub.
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