Whale Watching
Whale watching is one of Vancouver Island's most popular activities. No wonder: about 80 magnificent Orcas (killer whales) alone live in the waters off the southern island coastline year-round.
Vancouver Island boasts some of the world's highest-density and most accessible whale-watching locations, including Tofino & Ucluelet, Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill & Alert Bay, the Southern Gulf Islands and Victoria.
Orcas, minke, grays and dolphins.
The waters of the "Salish Sea" (collectively the waters of southern Vancouver Island and of the southern Gulf Islands) abound with marine life: in addition to Orcas, gray whales migrate through in massive numbers between March and October, while porpoises, dolphins and sea lions reside here.
Further north, the protected waters of Johnstone Strait as well as of the Blackfish and Broughton archipelagos offer accessible and often predictable locations to view Orcas – plus minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions and seals.
This area is also alive with 10,000 years of Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations culture, which you can learn about as part of a guided excursion.
Spot whales from May through October
There are some outstanding whale-watching operators in the region that offer fascinating expeditions – check our listings for details on these companies.
What to expect on a whale-watching tour:
- Tours are usually comfortable and smooth; but be prepared for bumpy rides at times, especially in the smaller, high-speed zodiacs. On windy days, expect to get wet (operators usually provide waterproof life-preserving suits to wear over clothes).
- Hydrophones have been added to many of the tours so that while watching, you can hear them communicating with one another. Onboard guides – often marine biologists and naturalists – also offer their expertise, enriching the overall experience.
- Expect to spend about 3-5 hours for each tour and remember not to disturb the whales and other wildlife while close to them.
(Source: Tourism BC)
