There's 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 British Columbia, from Victoria to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, from
Vancouver to the BC Gulf Islands, and up to Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte 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
in British Columbia, 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 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. The best viewing time is from May to October.
Pacific
Gray Whales migrate north along the west coast of Vancouver 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 |
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