There
is no seagoing experience quite like watching, close-up, a sleek whale weighing
thousands of pounds frolic like a child in it's natural habitat. Up and down the
coast of Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Port Hardy and the BC Gulf Islands,
Orcas (killer whales), Gray whales and Humpback whales ply the waves and perform
their watery rituals. Whalewatching at its best!
 Whatever
else you do on Vancouver Island, don't miss the whale watching boat - you'll have
a tale of a whale to tell. Click the map for a larger version of the map to see
where whale watching is offered, or select a town below to view whale watching
companies in that area.
Orcas (Killer Whales): B.C's killer whale
population is divided into 2 distinct groups which, curiously, never mingle. Residents
travel in large pods within predictable ranges, and feed primarily on fish. Transients
roam in smaller groups over large areas of the coast, feeding on marine mammals
such as seals, sea lions and other whales. The resident orca population is divided
into 2 communities, each with its own geographical range. The ocean around Victoria
is home to the southern resident community of 3 pods totalling approximately 90
magnificent animals. The best viewing time is from May to October, although marine
tours go out year round. You may see transient orcas, resident minke whales, migrating
gray and humpback whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbour porpoises, Dall's
porpoises and a plethora of harbour seals, California sea lions, Steller's sea
lions and elephant seals.
At the north end of Vancouver Island, some
transient orcas and migrating gray whales and humpback whales, which entertain
with their acrobatic breaching and underwater songs, may appear at any time of
the year. The northern residents total 217 whales in 16 pods, which patrol the
Johnstone Strait and the waters of northern Vancouver Island and the mainland
coast. The transient killer whales comprise 30 small pods of about 160 whales
and travel much farther than the resident pods. Johnstone Strait and the Blackfish
Archipelago is the prime whale-watching territory at the north end of Vancouver
Island. More than a dozen whale-watching tours operate out of Port McNeill, Port
Hardy, Alert Bay, Sointula and Telegraph Cove. There are also companies in Campbell
River.
Pacific
Gray Whales migrate north along the west coast of the island during March
and April. They are easily accessible by boat or can be viewed from mounted telescopes
in the Long beach area. Over 20,000 Gray whales participate in the longest migration
of any animal, some stop to feed and rest in our protected bays, while 40 to 50
grays will spend their summers feeding off Vancouver Island.
Humpback
Whales will thrill you to the north of Vancouver Island, at the outer edges
of the Inside Passage, with their acrobatic behaviour and elaborate underwater
song. Treasure lifetime memories of these magnificent whales breaching within
metres of your boat.
Minke whales, Pacific White-sided dolphins, Harbour
porpoises, Dall’s porpoises, Harbour seals
and Steller‘s sea lions are also viewed in
the waters around Vancouver Island.
 Pacific
Rim Whale Festival
Whale
Watching Guidelines
For more information on BC visit BritishColumbia.com |
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