Were in the planning stage of our trip so we can adjust our itinerary. Should we just plan to do it there or head up to sidney or some other spot. Enjoy a scenic 35 minute float plane ride from vancouvers coal harbour to downtown victoria, then start your southern resident killer whale watching adventure with us. They undergo one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal, travelling up to 8000km per year from breeding lagoons in baja, mexico to feeding grounds in the bering and chukchi seas. Harbour air will fly you from downtown vancouver to downtown victoria in just 35 minutes. Go sea kayaking, salmon fish for dinner, amazing wildlife.
Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. Im september sind viele wale schon wieder weg, angeblich, doch wir haben gluck. Southern resident orcas all year, gray whales march to november. Gray whale migration passes vancouver island vancouver. Out of vancouver means orcas and maybe sams right and there will be some 15 minutes away by fast boat. Killer whales attract tourists to vancouver island killer whale or also known as the orca whale often transit the waters of discovery passage between vancouver island and quadra island. Or maybe some farther down georgia strait where they are more often. But i was wondering if there is any difference in the chance of seeing whaleskiller whales between. Gray whales spend the winter in the warm waters off baja california, mexico. Big horns intro 2 by audionautix is licensed under a creative co. On the west coast, tofino is a quaint town with an embedded orcawatching culture. There are many options for transportation to our office and departure point. These are all typical maneuvers you may expect to see while whale watching off the west coast of vancouver island.
Victoria is located on the southern tip of vancouver island, located 112 kilometers across the georgia strait from the city of vancouver. These rich waters abound with orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, dolphins and seals not to mention otters, porpoises, eagles, and birds of prey. Heres everything you need to know to see them for yourself on a whale watching tour in victoria. Our coastal wilderness is home to killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, eagles, and more. That must be quite an experience to touch the gray whale were not allowed to touch the. The best page i have found for whale season off tofino is from jamies whale watching. More than 20,000 north pacific humpback whales spend the summer months in.
Whale watching expeditions are available from the west coast of vancouver island. On march 27 and 28, a pod of transient orca travelled into burrard inlet passing downtown vancouver and they proceeded up indian arm. Where on vancouver island is the best place to go whale watching orcas in the summer. Downtown whalewatching tours operate from granville island, coal harbour and richmonds steveston village out to the southern gulf and san juan islands. Whale classification breeding patterns of whales whale migration join us british columbia. Whale watching vancouver island from granville island this particular tip was starting from granville island, worth a visit in itself.
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. January february march april may june july august september october november december. Victoria and sidney close to victoria most common whales. The whaleplanner march a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Gray whales were almost hunted to extinction in the early 1900s, but have recovered well since their hunting was banned in 1947. A common attraction for many of these species and that includes us is the wild salmon that also navigates the pass.
S ummer time is the time to see all whale species in large numbers. The 30ton giants can be seen from shore, as early as february, with females and calves passing in april and early may. Vancouver, we offer a wide variety of marine wildlife experiences that range from three hours long to a halfday. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whalewatching tour in vancouver. Ocean ecoventures offers daily whale watching tours departing from cowichan bay, only 45 minute south of nanaimo. Small personal tour groups, never more than 12 passengers on our boats. If youre catching the ferry tofrom the island you might see whales. Whale watching in vancouver in winter march vancouver. During the summer june through august, light summer tops and pants or shorts are fine, but its a good idea to bring layers such as a fleece jacket or sweater. Drones over blue whales, gray whales in surf, megapod of dolphins off dana point whale watching duration.
Come for the afternoon, or stay a few nights at one of our partner hotels. Orcas killer whales and humpback whales are commonly seen on this summer whale watching excursion from vancouver island. Whale watching in vancouver in winter march vancouver forum. Aug 11, 2014 this is most of what i recorded during our whale watching trip with orca spirit adventures, based out of victoria, bc. You captain is a highly trained naturalist, making this a highvalue tour. Minke whales have a similar aesthetic to humpback whales, but are are just. Were planning a visit to victoria and see there are numerous companies there. Highest killer whale sightings in british columbia. Most whale watching companies offer 2 or 3 departures per day. May 29, 2016 whale watching at the san juan islands from victoria bc on vancouver island canada. Ocean ecoventures is the most centrallylocated whale watching company on vancouver island. Prince of whales whale watching tourism vancouver island. British columbia and particularly vancouver island is a brilliant location to spot. Go whale watching between march and may to have a chance to witness this incredible annual migration of over 20,000 grey whales swimming along the west coast of vancouver island towards their summer arctic feeding waters in bering, chukchi and beaufort seas.
Known as the place to go for the best whale watching in british columbia, vancouver island offers amazing opportunities to witness wild marine life. Im sommer sind samtliche kusten nordamerikas ein guter ort fur whale watching. The resident fish eating orcas are usually not reliably seen until midjuly the last few years it has been between july 7 and 14. Best whale whale watching discover vancouver island. Four days in vancouver island whale watching paradise. Parksville qualicum beachs central location makes it the perfect base for whale watching vancouver island. Whales vancouver island news, events, travel, accommodation. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic.
Januar februar marz april mai juni juli august september oktober. For the orcas off victoria from april, with an increase in sitings from may you might consider a week. Below we give summaries of the best places to whale watch on vancouver island and what you can expect to see there. Make nanaimo your basecamp this summer march 3, 2020. Welcome the first gray whales of the season on vancouver island or try your luck with the blue whales of chile. Summer juneaugust from june through september, vancouver island is.
To the delight of vancouver island whale watchers, some grays stop to eat at this latitude instead of continuing north with the rest of the population. The whale research lab although our work has taken lab members far afield to various locations, we focus most of our research efforts on the west coast of vancouver island. This 3hour sunset whale adventure is an intimate west coast experience on a highend custom vessel. 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. The main target species from vancouver victoria are orcas and humpback whales, and neither are relieably present in early spring. Rich and abundant marine wildlife are found along the shores of southern vancouver island and the gulf islands. We offer year round whale watching and marine eco tours. Departing from granville island in downtown vancouver, the wild whales experience allows you to observe whales and the diverse wildlife of the pacific coast in their natural habitat. Tripadvisor summer whale watching on vancouver island.
Orca rubbing beach vancouver island best time to visit top. Whale watching in june vancouver island forum tripadvisor. In the evening we spotted humpback whales and in the morning we heard orcas. Whale watching opportunities in march around vancouver island are very limited. Youll see orca whales, migrating humpback whales and much more. Whale watching at the san juan islands from victoria bc on vancouver island canada.
In the bering and chukchi seas, the whales spend the summer feeding. Killer whales are best observed from mid july through the first week of september. Well take you through the salish sea ecosystem to see whales and other marine life in their natural habitat. Orca seem to come into the vancouver area a few times each year and they always delight those who manage to catch a glimpse of them.
Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. Whale watching tours are available from the inner harbour of victoria, sidney, tofino, campbell river, and port hardy, as well as most of the communities on the island. The killer whale or orca, is the largest of the dolphins, a predator, feeding on fish, seals, and sometimes whales. Our morning will be spent travelling to the west coast of vancouver island. Our 34 hour whale watching tours depart daily from downtown nanaimo bc, april through october. Many of the whale watching tour companies also offer black bear and grizzly bear excursions. Climb aboard a highspeed vessel that is custommade for wildlife viewing.
The main target species from vancouvervictoria are orcas and humpback whales, and neither are relieably present in early spring. Although vancouver island whale watch is a new company, i have been. Big horns intro 2 by audionautix is licensed under. At orca dreams you have only to peek outside your tent for something to catch your eye a soaring blue heron, a breaching whale, the fluke of a humpback. Grays swim back down to baja california, usually faster and farther offshore than. From there we will provide directions for boarding your boat.
The best place to kayak with orcas is the north end of vancouver island in johnstone strait. It is surprisingly cool traveling quickly over the ocean. They have private washrooms and have a maximum of 12 passengers per trip ensuring no crowds. Whale watching in april vancouver island forum tripadvisor. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair. Luckily, if you are staying in vancouver there are plenty of options to get here. We are located on granville island, 510 minutes from most downtown hotels.
Gray whale eschschrictius robustus each spring, some 20,000 gray whales move passed the western shore of vancouver island, en route to summer feeding grounds in the bering sea. Ill be in vancouver in the first couple of weeks of april, and am really keen to see some whales. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island. Ocean ecoventures is the most centrally located whale watching company on vancouver island with the highest sighting of orcas and humpback whales every year. Summer sunset whales and wildlife tour in vancouver island. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save. Board one of our four vessels at vancouvers unique and historic granville island.
Granville island is really a village, on an island obviously, in the middle of world city vancouver. 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. I understood that they go wherever they had reports of wildlife activity. Description gray whales are identified by their scars left by parasites which drop off in the colder waters of vancouver island and alaska. Book a whale watching holiday in canada with canadian affair for the chance to. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria. With a maximum of 12 passengers per trip, youll skip the crowds. Jul 19, 2017 reasons to love vancouver island in summer. The whale guarantee program is the most valuable in the industry with free trips on a standby basis if you dont see whales the first time. They are a mammal, a carnivore and can live up to 80 years of age. Occasionally a lone whale will find its way into false creek or english bay, but you dont have to go very far out to find its friends. 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. Gray whale estrichtius robustus gray whales are usually found in shallow, coastal waters of the north pacific. Whale watching british columbia vancouver islands watching.
Vancouver island hosts a couple hundred gray whale every year. The early studies on whales and whale watching around vancouver island have evolved into a variety of studies of cetaceans and sirenians in many different geographical, ecological and social settings. We will take a ferry from vancouver and then drive to the town of tofino, bc, where guests can choose to take a whale watching tour or simply spend the rest of the day relaxing. Board our 30 rigid hull inflatable zodiacs, or one of our high speed covered family cruisers to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. My plan is to head towards tofino, and do a boat tour which will hopefully coincide with the grey whale migration. In the waters northeast of vancouver island, whale researcher jackie. Orca whales, humpback whales, grey whales, minke whales, harbour and dalls porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, and a variety of bird species make this unique region their home. Uk 0203 424 9673 download brochure send an enquiry request a callback. Sep 03, 2018 whale watching near vancouver island, canada september 3, 2018 yup, i have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below.
The trip has a great rate of success of whale interactions along with the beautiful colors of the sun melting into the pacific ocean. Both sides of vancouver island afford primo opportunities. At that site we have long terms detailed studies of interaction between gray whales, zooplankton communities and other habitat elements. Greys and humpbacks are off the island and of course the islands robson bight is a protected area where orcas do their famous rub. This ensures the highest sightings of killer whales on vancouver island every year. On any given day between april and october, you can witness up to 89 orca whales frolicking in the southern vancouver island waterways. Its unusual though maybe 110 or 120 trips i hear a whale announcement. Tofino whale watching tours ocean outfitters, tofino bc. This is the best place in the world to see orcas, the mr. On vancouver island, youll find reputable whale watching providers to bring you close to the action while respecting the boundaries of these magnificent animals. Another major feature is that fewer vessels tend to be on the water at this time, ensuring a less crowded and personal experience with the beloved whales. Whale watching vancouver island why visit parksville.