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. Seeing whales while travelling from vancouver to victoria. We are dedicated to responsible and ethical whale watching and wildlife viewing. Then hop aboard an open zodiac for a 3hour excursion in search of resident killer whales in the wild. Where on vancouver island is the best place to go whale watching orcas in the summer. We respect the investment our guests make to join us and we are dedicated to making your trip the experience of a lifetime. In fact, everywhere you turn, the photographic opportunities in vancouver islands marine ecosystem are spectacular. Our 34 hour whale watching tours depart daily from downtown nanaimo bc, april through october.
Our coastal wilderness is home to killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, eagles, and more. Our whale watching tours are 3 hours in length, and depart multiple times a day. Victoria whale watching tours sea king adventures inc. During this peak season our sighting success rate is at 9598% for viewing resident orca pods near victoria. The whale spends the summer and a few fall months in the arctic waters before heading south. Visitors with the right plans and a dash of luck can see several whale species, including orca, humpback, grey, and minke whales. You will board prince of whales salish sea dream 2 deck whale watching boat right in downtown vancouver and set out on a for a 4hour transfer and whale watching experience with a marine naturalist, viewing the resident orca. You will board prince of whales salish sea dream 2 deck whale watching boat right in downtown vancouver and set out on a for a 4hour transfer and whale watching experience with a marine naturalist, viewing the resident orca killer whales. If seeing orcas is a priority, please keep these dates in mind when you book your tour with us. We will be doing a road trip out to banff and jasper before coming back to vancouver the main point of this trip for me is to see orcas its top of my todo list in life im quite keen to do a day kayaking tour from telegraph cove around johnstone straight in the hope of seeing them from the kayak. The orcas could be feeding salmon around the channels between the san juan island and orcas island in the morning. 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. Our whale watching tours are located off the southern coast of victoria, british columbia on vancouver island. Cruises to victoria, british columbia, canada holland america.
Prince of whales adventures bcs best whale watching. Seaplane flight to victoria with whale watching and. As mentioned above, if you are heading to tofino, it is really a different show than victoria and ideally i would do both. This is your chance to sea kayak with killer orca whales or watch them from our boat, the tenzing. On the west coast, tofino is a quaint town with an embedded orcawatching culture. Known as the place to go for the best whale watching in british columbia, vancouver island offers amazing opportunities to witness wild marine life. I grew up in victoria, spent the first 25 years of my life there, and never saw a whale from the shore. Whale watching vancouver island is a onceinalifetime exerience.
Depart vancouver harbour by seaplane for an exciting flight over the gulf islands to beautiful victoria. Choose your victoria whale watching adventure just a short cruise from downtown victoria, an ocean wilderness awaits. Everywhere you turn, the photographic opportunities in vancouver islands marine ecosystem are spectacular. Canada british columbia vancouver island victoria capital regional district.
In victoria, shopping, the royal bc museum, and several other attractions are just steps away. Accommodation vancouver island news, events, travel. This is the place to start for all types of lodging. Before boarding, we ask all guests to checkin at our office.
This ensures the highest sightings of killer whales on vancouver island every year. Sep 11, 2010 whale watching by eagle wing in victoria, trip by seaplane to vancouver island, british columbia, canada, september 2009, bald eagle, sea lions, orcas, humpback whales music from coldplay talk. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. Enjoy two favorite victoria tours in a single day with this greatvalue combo package. Whale watching vancouver or victoria eagle wing tours. In addition to orcas, see the other wildlife that we view in the victoria area. In tofino and ucluelet if you see orcas at all you are more likely to enounter the mammal eating orcas that travel in much smaller numbers, typically 1 to 6. Helijet flies daily from downtown vancouver to downtown victoria in 30 minutes.
If this does occur we have a whale guarantee program, which means that if you do not see whales on your first trip with us then you will receive a 20% cash refund and free trip via standby on your next adventure with us. Birds of a feather marine ecotours vancouver island 206 portsmouth drive victoria, bc v9c 1r9. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife. There are many options for transportation to our office and departure point. Whale watching cruises and sightseeing floatplanes take off and return from their. This oneway adventure will take you from victoria, bc, canada on a 35 to 45minute tour bus to the world. Once the most abundant large whale population on the coast of vancouver island, the numbers of humpbacks in bc waters sadly diminished after many years of commercial whaling. April to october join our comfortable 61 ft covered. The rarity of local sightings make for an exciting show if one is lucky. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. Hop aboard and experience orcas, killer whales, gray, humpback, and minke whales up close and personal. Prince of whales is focused on sharing the beautiful and breathtaking coastal waters of british columbia, its vibrant wildlife, and its rich history. I do not want to knock victoria as there is good viewing around there and if travelling further north is difficult time wise it is a good choice. If reserving on line please use the promotion code emp1.
A typical route takes us along victorias scenic waterfront to oak bay and the chain islets, where we pause to watch harbor seals and seabirds. Orca dreams is the only sea kayaking base camp where we catch our own salmon for dinner. Offer valid for bookings made before july 21, 2014 and travel prior to september 7, 2014. Whale watching victoria, vancouver island, canada youtube. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. Start your visit to victorias sights and attractions at the inner harbour. We will be visiting vancouver this summer, and likely staying in richmond. Victoria is good for orcas but heading further north to telegraph cove andor port mcneill is better for viewing orcas and other wildlife. Should we just plan to do it there or head up to sidney or some other spot.
Whale watching tours and marine eco tour adventures provided by west coast wildlife adventures. We are located on granville island, 510 minutes from most downtown hotels. Ocean ecoventures offers whale watching, wildlife encounters and multiday expedition style zodiac marine eco tours exploring the remote waters and wildlife of vancouver island. Contact us wild whales vancouver 1806 mast tower lane vancouver, b. Luckily, there are a number of boat trips to areas where you can see 30ton marine mammals majestically glide.
Located in the heart of the southern resident killer whales and biggs killer whales travel areas, cowichan bay offers a relaxed experience away from the hustle and bustle. Prince of whales whale watching victoria 2020 all you. Springtides whale watching tours will take you through some of the worlds most breathtaking scenery that bc has to offer. From there we will provide directions for boarding your boat. From there, we often head east to san juan island, or north along the saanich peninsula.
We would love to return to vancouver island one day and go on the trip again and maybe be lucky enough to see. Ocean ecoventures is the most centrallylocated whale watching company on vancouver island. Recently, we have been lucky enough to report increased sightings of majestic humpback whales in bc once more. Upon completion of your day, return by coach on bc ferries. Keep your camera clicking as our onboard naturalist shares the ecology of the beautiful environment that surrounds you. Book a minimum 2 night bc ferries vacations package and receive your whalewatching tour with orca spirit adventures at 50% off. Whale classification breeding patterns of whales whale migration join us british columbia. 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. Prince of whales is the largest and most environmentally sustainable whale watching and ecoadventure company operating out of both victoria and vancouver. These small baleen whales can be seen around the globe, but are often more elusive in the vancouver island area. Each vessel has a private washroom and has a maximum capacity of 12 guests per trip. Witness resident killer whales, biggs killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, bears, wolves, bald eagles and so much more. Great trip with knowledgeable guys who obviously love their job.
Southern vancouver island is the best place to see whales in the wild. With over 70 whales belonging to these families, transient orcas, and humpback whales youll have plenty of opportunities for an encounter with these magnificent creatures. After about a minute i saw a large black and white whale about 30 ft long jump so that it was completely out of the water. Voyage into the open waters of the northern pacific on a 3. Victoria, bc is the best place on earth to view whales in the wild. From our downtown departure locations, we offer industryleading whale watching tours in vancouver, victoria, telegraph cove, and seattle. Gray whale migration passes vancouver island vancouver. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced. Gray whale migration passes vancouver island gray whale off vancouver island, british columbia, canada each spring, some 20,000 gray whales travel passed the western shore of vancouver island, british columbia, en route to their summer feeding grounds in the bering sea and chukchi sea. To select a company, read this tripadvisor traveler article. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island.
There are three orca pods totaling over 80 whales in victorias waters alone. Oct 22, 2010 whale watching in victoria bc canada on vancouver island. Other aquatic neighbours include sea lions, seals, porpoise and many marine birds. Jul 08, 2019 vancouver island plays host to many exhilarating experiences, but few compare to the thrill of seeing whales in the wild. Whale watching tours are operated along the east coast of vancouver island, from victoria to campbell river and port hardy, on the west coast of the island out. If youre actually staying in victoria it would probably cost you as much to go visit there as it would to take a whale watching trip. This is the best place in the world to see orcas, the mr. Ocean ecoventures is the most centrally located whale watching company on vancouver island with the highest sighting of orcas and humpback whales every year. The 30ton giants can be seen from shore, as early as february, with females and calves passing by from mid march, through april and into. All of our vessels are custom made by titan marine and hand designed by the owner of the bc whale tours, harold.
Whale watching victoria prince of whales wildlife adventures. Call or click to make a reservation now and mention you are staying at the empress hotel to get a special rate. Whale watching british columbia vancouver islands watching. Daily sailings from tsawwassen to schwartz bay victoria typically run between 7.
Vancouver island tourism vancouver island accommodation. Luckily, there are a number of boat trips to areas where you can see 30ton marine mammals majestically glide through the open waters of canada. Since whales travel close to the coast, many people enjoy going out on boats to view them. From the commencement of our tour you will see the snow crowned olympic mountains virtually soar from the sea bed. Please note that the discussion was closed to any additional postings as of nov 1, 2016 and, as such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated and cannot be commented on by travelers at this time. If you would like to see your wild whales adventure photos at. We view transient orca pods, migrating humpback whales, grey whales and other marine animals that reside in our coastal waters. Were planning a visit to victoria and see there are numerous companies there. Well take you through the salish sea ecosystem to see whales and other marine life in their natural habitat. Hi all, we are coming to vancouver in sept this year. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced with victorias boutique whale watching company.
There are several great companies in tofino including ocean outfitters, jamies whaling station, and the whale centre, but also an amazing company in ucluelet called aquamarine adventures local company, with the owner running the boat himself outstanding. And what is even better is that once you arrive in downtown victoria, eagle wing tours is located at fishermans wharf, just minutes away from what can be the start of an exceptional k iller whale watching opportunity. Whale tours in victoria bc springtide whale watching. Vancouver island plays host to many exhilarating experiences, but few compare to the thrill of seeing whales in the wild. From one of our many shoreline viewpoints you can watch humpback whales feeding. There are many whale wildlife watching companies operating out of the greater victoria area. Killer whales are best observed from mid july through the first week of september. Where best to whale watch in august tofino vs victoria. I started to paddle towards it quickly thinking i really wanted to get a closer look. I think i heard someone saw a whale from an oak bay beach once. Combine two activities into one day in the gulf islands, and then return to vancouver via speedboat, cutting the return trip to just two hours. Orca mostly seen in the victoria and north island areas are fish eating orcas that often congregate in the dozens i have seen superpods pf over 100 out of port mcneill. We love sharing vancouver islands marine ecosystem and all that inhabits it. With a fleet of both open and covered boats, we are perfectly able to match a tour to your desires.
This article contains a discussion by tripadvisor members concerning the above topic. Both sides of vancouver island afford primo opportunities. Seems whale watching operators from vancouver more convenient for us than to spend hours going to victoria, vancouver island. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. Almost 200 species of mammals and birds call the salish sea waterways surrounding southern vancouver island home, relying on its delicate marine ecosystem. Whale watching by eagle wing in victoria, trip by seaplane to vancouver island, british columbia, canada, september 2009, bald eagle, sea lions, orcas, humpback whales music from coldplay talk. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island, british. Looking for accommodation on vancouver island and the gulf and discovery islands in british columbia. Bc ferries car and passenger service for metro vancouver to vancouver island victoria departs from tsawwassen approx. 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. Then i realized it was a whale and could see it blowing steam in the air. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in the waters surrounding victoria, including the orca, or killer whale, and gray, humpback, and minke whales. Orca spirit adventures is victorias original and authentic whale watching experience. When whale sighting reports come in, we typically alter course towards whales within range of the boat.
Go whale watching, and explore butchart gardens in victoria, vancouver island on this day trip from vancouver. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. The pacific rim whale festival in the coastal towns of tofino and ucluelet kicks off an allout celebration of the gray whale migration and life in general on the fabulous west coast of vancouver island. Yes, victoria can be just a short 35 minute floatplane or helicopter ride from downtown vancouver with both offering multiple daily departures throughout the year.
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