Humpback whales the world over are known for their epic migrations, complex songs, and the acrobatic jumps that earn them their name. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whalewatching tour in vancouver. Situated off the northern most region of british columbia is haida gwaii, formerly known as the queen charlotte islands, an exceptionally beautiful and isolated location. Whale watching in bc is an unforgettable experience.
Go during the peak season of julyaugust for the best chance of spotting humpback and fin whales. The best time for whale watching in massachusetts usa today. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. The girls at the check in booth were welcoming and promptly answered any questions with a smile it was great meeting you megan. British columbia is one of the best places in the world to view orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and other marine species.
British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. To find out more about the whale watching tours we offer on vancouver island, click here. During this peak season our sighting success rate is at 9598% for viewing resident orca pods near victoria. This remote section of bc s north coast is home to some spectacular wildlife. Agree about february being peak season, but disagree about the boat. Sightings report bc whale tours victoria whale watching tours. Whale watching british columbia vancouver islands watching. There are three orca pods totaling over 80 whales in victorias waters alone. Not only are you likely to have the tour all to yourself, but prices are also cheaper than the going summer rate. Some even come in the winter months for an uncrowded adventure. Vancouver whale watch provides passengers with the adventure of a lifetime through excellent customer. San juan island is the seasonal home to three pods of orca whales, and whale watching is among the islands most popular activities. With all that coastline, there are plenty of places to go whale watching in canada. Eagle eye adventures is the most reliable whale watching tours company in canada.
The planet whale partnership includes commercial whale and dolphin watch operators, cetacean conservation organisations and individuals with a shared passion and goal. We provide whale and grizzly bear tours, and great bear rainforest tours. Killer whale watching in vancouver orca whales in canada. Thanks to our vessel styles, which have a bigger range than many of our competitors, we guarantee whale sightings in the peak season, which in 2019 run until oct. During this period, thousands of gray, orca, minke, and humpback whales migrate from mexico to alaska and back, passing through the waters off the bc coast. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. Jun 04, 2019 the peak season to spot whales in this region is july and august. This hike up whale peak in the anza borrego state park was a bit of both. British columbias whale watching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. Training will start in march before the true busy season.
We work with remote passages marine excursions to offer our guests the chance to experience the ultimate whale watching adventure in british columbia. But dont assume that traveling to vancouver during peak season will. S ummer time is the time to see all whale species in large numbers. Whaletrips british columbia whale watching in british. Were conveniently located right next to one of the cheapest pay parking lots in victoria bc. Another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island. The british columbia whale watching season starts in march and runs all the way to october. In addition to orcas, see the other wildlife that we view in the victoria area. Not only do we educate our guests, but we take high definition photos of the animals to share with our guests and with the. Other aquatic neighbours include sea lions, seals, porpoise and many marine birds. Theoretically, you could meet orcas in the waters of british columbia all year long, but the main season is from may to september. Toprated victoria, british columbia whale watching tours 2020.
That was the golden period from about midjune to midseptember when. The main whale watching destinations are in british columbia on the west coast and in newfoundland, quebec, new brunswick, and nova scotia on the east coast. If youre eager to get on the water, tour companies in cape breton highlands also offers zodiac and catamaran excursions. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas. We offer private whalewatching tours and ecotours for groups of 35 or less onboard all of our vessels. The best time for whale watching in massachusetts is from april to october, though whales dwell in bay state waters as. Local marine wildlife also includes dalls porpoises, harbour porpoises. Operators work together, alongside the victoriabased companies, to find the best spots, giving them an orca and humpbacksighting success rate of around 90%. In the fall pacific humpbacks are readying for their winter migration to hawaii.
British columbias whalewatching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises. Orca spirit adventures is victorias original and authentic whale watching experience. Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals. We are british columbias first whale watching company, established in 1980.
During peak viewing months, our success rate for spotting whales is greater than 95%. Vancouver gone are the days when tourism operators in b. Here is some clips that have been shot and edited by one of our captains over his various trips. Migration is at its peak in march and april at which time the area hosts the pacific rim whale festival. The city of victoria in particular, on the southern tip of vancouver island, is globally renowned for orca sightings and is the ultimate destination for bc whale watching. Theres simply nothing better than a whale watching tour in bc with orca spirit, some prefer viewing beneath the summer sun, while others prefer cooler spring and fall viewings. Whale watching, haida gwaii, queen charlotte islands, bc, canada. Tours can be done straight from telegraph cove with stubbsisland, multi day tours or kingfisher kayak tours. Giant kelp beds attract feeding grey whales, migrating salmon attract orcas, and humpbacks are frequently seen on the surface as they dive and feed. Private whalewatching tours are offered throughout the season but they must be booked well in advance, especially during the peak season july september. Our location wild whales vancouver is situated on granville island, a 510 minute taxi ride from most downtown hotels. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale.
Whale watching in british columbia mainly boils down to whale watching on vancouver island, even if you can also book tours directly from vancouver. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whale watching tour in vancouver. In summer, tofino becomes crowded with tourists from whale watchers, surfers, fishers, to bird watchers. In high vessel traffic areas, whale communication and echolocation can be. Tours can be customized to suit your groups needs, please call to enquire. British columbia and particularly vancouver island is a brilliant location to spot. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in the waters surrounding victoria, including the orca, or killer whale, and gray, humpback, and minke whales. Whale watching takes place throughout the summer season with the best viewing in late august and september.
I was just wondering if i were going to try and find a cruise to alaska it would have to be during whale season. As we head into the beginning of peak season for 2018, we look forward to more and more sightings like these. Tours are three hours in length, with april through october being the ideal whale watching months. Youll see orca whales, migrating humpback whales and much more. During this peak season we boast a greater than 95% chance of spotting whales in victoria, particularly resident orcas, humpback whales, and transient orcas. On the coast of british columbia to the west, orcas and humpback. Peak allergy season hits vancouver an allergy monitoring centre warns vancouver is in the middle of peak allergy season as extremely high levels of cedar pollen are detected in the air.
High speed boat, quit comfortabele, we were with only 8 people. The whales come very close to shore and can be observed from the wickaninnish visitor centre at pacific rim national park. For some of the best whale watching in bc, head on the whale watch plus tour. The humpback whales are already here feeding, the salmon runs are beginning to peak, and by mid july the killer whales are likely to be seen daily. Our mission we aspire to be the best whale watching company in the area by. Although peak whale watching season is from mayoctober, there are definitely some benefits to enjoying a winter whale watching expedition. Bc whale tours victoria all you need to know before you. While it is possible to see whales at any time of the year, there is a peak season from may through october. There are few sights more thrilling than whales in their natural environment, and the waters off the coast of british columbia are rich with marine life. Whale watching in bc british columbia travel and adventure. Aug, 20 combine hiking with whale watching in one of the best locations in the country to watch whales from the shore. With our large number of vessels, locations in both victoria and vancouver, and almost 50 staff in peak season, prince of whales is now the largest whale wat. Peak season is from mayseptember, but that shouldnt stop you from visiting during the offpeak months. If you have never seen whales before, the waters near vancouver are one of the best places in the world for this activity.
Custom designed and built by the company owner, captain harold, our vessels offer the latest technology in safety, speed and environmentally friendly design. While other vancouver island whale watching tours are heading for shore, our experienced captains and crew are going the extra mile or 50 to show you the gray whale feeding beaches, the eagles nests, the hidden coves and all the other delights. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair. In this peak season, orca spirit adventures boasts a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including humpback whales, biggs and resident orcas killer whales, and gray whales. During this period thousands of whales migrate through these waters. A whale watching trip is a once in a lifetime experience. Our season starts with the longest migration of any mammal, the gray whale. Whale watching around vancouver island in british columbia is an exceptional experience that will leave you awestruck after watching whales that weigh thousands of pounds frolic in their natural habitat. Over the winter they breed and calve in warm mexican waters then, midfebruary to april moms and calves till june, migrate close by our shore on the way to cold alaskan waters, where the food is. Alaskan whales winter makin whoopee in hawaii pretty smart and summer havin babies and eating tons of fresh seafood in alaska. Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and. Bc whale tours has the largest and longest range zodiacs in the whale watching industry. With its large number of vessels, locations in both victoria and vancouver, and almost 50 staff in peak season, prince of whales is the largest whale watching company in british columbia.
Frequently asked questions bc whale tours victoria whale. This archipelago, made up of 150 islands, has a population of approximately 4,000 people and famous as the home of the haida people and their culture. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. Teachers can download information as needed for classes.
Bc whale tours provides an incredible experience from start to finish. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. The peak whale watching season attracts many people from all over the world. Downtown whalewatching tours operate from granville island, coal harbour and richmonds steveston village out to the southern gulf and san juan islands. With that guarantee in your back pocket, all you have to do is decide what time to go. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island, british. Wild whales vancouver is a partner of planet whale, the worlds largest online search engine for whale and dolphin watching trips. British columbia s whale watching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. Whale watching in ucluelet, whale watching at subtidal. The following chart is provided as a guide to help you schedule your whale watching tour to coincide with the marine wildlife you would most like to see. Jane mclean is an ontariobased travel writer who has covered canada for more than 10 years.
Book a whale watching tour with one of the many companies in the area to see orcas up close. The islandstudded coast of british columbia features pristine water, dramatic. The district of tofino lies off the west coast of canada in british columbia. Humpback whales their spectacular bubble net feeding is truly a wonder to behold and this behaviour is often observed from the decks of the thunder 1 during our whale watching adventure tours. Select a company that adheres to ethical wildlifeviewing practices and whale. Book a whale watching holiday in canada with canadian affair for the chance to. The majestic orca has long been the proud symbol of our incredible city. During whale watching season, theres nothing like seeing the fluke of a. As such, we are proud to be a leader in responsible whale watching and to have served as teaching platforms for. Aug 07, 20 bc whale tours is a premium whale watching company based out of victoria on vancouver island, bc. Eagle wing tours gives you more than just a look at whales, they give you the longest and most comprehensive whale watching tours in the industry. Several pods spend the summer months in clayoquot sound and can be seen on daily boat tours to hot springs cove. The pwf staff was interesting and the whales at times actually swim right up to the boat we had a mother ahd calf swim up and then under ours.
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