Theres something to be said about the peace and quiet of a tourist town in the off season, and the beauty of victoria from the water on a crisp winters day is unrivaled. Victoria bc whale watching is just one of the options on vancouver island, and if you find yourself on the mainland, virtually anywhere along the coast can make a prime viewing base. We have more orca, more humpbacks and more wildlife available nearby than any other location on vancouver island and our dedicated, responsible whale watchers are all members of the pacific whale. Our naturalist on board, casey, said this was very rare. Whale watching from steveston, bc retired and travelling. Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals. In fact, the tour company, whos name ive purposely left out, didnt want to post it to their. Admire native marine wildlife in the waters of british columbia on this 3hour whalewatching adventure in victoria. Book a minimum 2 night bc ferries vacations package and receive your whalewatching tour with orca spirit adventures at 50% off. 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. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island. Here are four criteria for choosing the best whale watching tour for you. 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. Established in 1985,five star whale watching is victorias oldest and most respected.
If reserving on line please use the promotion code emp1. Choose your victoria whale watching adventure just a short cruise from downtown victoria, an ocean wilderness awaits. Migration is at its peak in march and april at which time the area hosts the pacific rim whale festival. Where and how to see whales in victoria this winter.
But since you posted this originally on the victoria forum, i assume youre hoping to go whale watching out of victoria. To select a company, read this tripadvisor traveler article. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced. It sounds like you had incredible encounters with both killer whales and humpback whales and with other local marine wildlife.
From our downtown departure locations, we offer industryleading whale watching tours in vancouver, victoria, telegraph cove, and seattle. Whale watching victoria bc tours and information book custom private tours and learn about the whales of the west coast of british columbia. Your vessel, a zodiac speedboat, is built with stability in mind and remains buoyant even in rough seas. Prince of whales is focused on sharing the beautiful and breathtaking coastal waters of british columbia, its vibrant wildlife, and its rich history.
Prince of whales whale watching is at 812 wharf st. Bc whale tours victoria aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. Whale watching in bc british columbia travel and adventure. Victoria whale watching tours sea king adventures inc. Theres simply nothing better than a whale watching tour in bc with orca spirit, some prefer viewing beneath the summer sun, while others prefer cooler spring and fall viewings. As victorias first whale watching tour operator to become a proud business member of 1% for the planet, we are asked to contribute one percent of our gross revenues to nonprofit groups dedicated to the pursuit of sustainability and environmental protection. Eagle wing tours is victoria, bcs very first premier guaranteed whale sighting company. Weve sailed back and forth to the mainland on bc ferries too many times to count. After our unsuccessful search for whale sharks in belize a few months ago, we were thrilled to be invited by tourism victoria to go on a whale watching tour with prince of whales. The season also seems to be extended so you have a really good chance of seeing them this winter, peters says. Other aquatic neighbours include sea lions, seals, porpoise and many marine birds.
There are different types of whales in various parts of bc, so it really depends on what kind of whales you were hoping to see, and where in bc you were planning to be its a huge province. Five star whale watching, victoria, british columbia. Another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island. Prince of whales is a tour that allows you to go whale watching off the coast of victoria city. Whale watching victoria bc book your whale watching. Tours bc whale tours victoria whale watching tours.
Whale watching in victoria, bc september 20, 2017 louise 4 min read 8 comments whale watching is one of the popular activities to do while visiting victoria, bc. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale. 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. Join five star whale watching for the adventure of a lifetime an experience that you will never forget. Whale watching in victoria bc karla around the world. The whales come very close to shore and can be observed from the wickaninnish visitor centre at. Some even come in the winter months for an uncrowded adventure. This cruise is covered by the whale guarantee program whale sightings are guaranteed during peak season. Whale watching victoria bc book your whale watching adventure. Springtides whale watching tours will take you through some of the worlds most breathtaking scenery that bc has to offer. Whale tours in victoria bc springtide whale watching. Packages include complete roundtrip transportation from vancouver, plus an exciting threehour whale watching tour on your choice of springtides 61. Tour packages and fees whale watching in victoria, bc.
We did a similar trip from vancouver last summer and spotted a small pod of orca whales, so we had high hopes of repeating the incredible experience. Located in the heart of victorias beautiful inner harbour, prince of whales is the largest yearround whale watching and ecoadventure company in. Whale watching in british columbia mainly boils down to whale watching on vancouver island, even if you can also book tours directly from vancouver. If youre coming from vancouver, springtide is pleased to arrange one of several convenient transportation packages for you. Located in the heart of victorias beautiful inner harbour, prince of whales is the largest yearround whale watching and ecoadventure company in victoria, british columbia.
During our busy summer season juneseptember we do recommend you book a week head of time. Whale watching in victoria, bc solemate adventures. We successfully completed 1185 tours in 2019 and recorded these amazing sightings. Youll tour the pristine waters around victoria, southern vancouver island and the gulf island with orcas killer whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and sometimes even grey whales breaching next to you. Day whale watching tours in victoria, bc eagle wing tours. As victorias longest running family owned and operated whale watching company and first catamaran company, we have built up victoria as a world class destination for whale watching. Each vessel has a private washroom and has a maximum capacity of 12 guests per trip. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water with us. Catamaran excursions launch from victorias inner harbour. Birds of a feather whalewatching departures can be from victorias inner harbour, from sidney, metchosin, sooke, salt spring island, or anywhere we can trailer the boat. The majestic orca has long been the proud symbol of our incredible city. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas. Offer valid for bookings made before july 21, 2014 and travel prior to september 7, 2014. As such, visitors to the province capital will find it easy to add a whale watching experience to the itinerary, at least during the.
Setting the bar high for the local whale watching industry we have been inspiring and educating guests. They offer trips allowing you to stay for a few days in victoria before flying you back to vancouver. All of our vessels are custom made by titan marine and hand designed by the owner of the bc whale tours, harold. Eagle wing tours is victoria, bc s very first premier guaranteed whale sighting company. If winter whale watching doesnt quite sound like your thing, the summer season is just a few months away. Threehour tours narrated by a marine biologist provide information about marine life. Hang in there, the flowers will be out in bloom soon enough. Whaletrips british columbia whale watching in british. Make multiple wildlife stops and enjoy worldclass interpretation and personalized service from your naturalist guide and expert crew. We had also considered going to victoria on vancouver island for a whale watching trip.
Oct 19, 2014 whale watching was totally bananas today. There is no seagoing experience quite like watching, closeup, a sleek whale weighing thousands of pounds frolic like a child in its natural habitat. Get up close and personal with the locals british columbias marine wildlife on one of springtides scenic whale watching tours. Humpback whale numbers have increased substantially since hunting was banned in the late 1970s, with more than 30,000 expected to travel up the australian coast from the antarctic through to october. Whale watching is unquestionably one of the most exciting experiences the pacific northwest has to offer and victoria is an ideal place to do it. Prince of whales is a tour that allows you to go whalewatching off the coast of victoria city. There are many whale wildlife watching companies operating out of the greater victoria area. A premiere whale watching company based in victoria, british columbia, canada.
Passengers have a choice of sitting either outside on an openair deck or inside in a heated cabin aboard the 19metre 62 ft. Surrounded by killer whales in victoria, british columbia. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. I have been bugging david since we had arrived in vancouver about whale watching. On our trip to horseshoe bay, we had checked out the whale watching options but the trip from there meant a much longer transit to the whale watching location. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced with victorias boutique whale watching company. There are just over 80 resident orca killer whales in the southern vancouver island. British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. There are three orca pods totaling over 80 whales in victoria s waters alone. Whale watching tours from vancouver island tourism victoria.
Humpback whales 40 minutes offshore from victoria, bc photo credit jeff lorton. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in victoria. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced with victoria s boutique whale watching company. Victoria has more boats departing for whale watching than any place on vancouver island and most companies guarantee whale sightings. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island. We checked in at around 8 in the morning and were scheduled to take the big boat. In fact we can even come to vancouver and pick you up there, or just about anywhere on vancouver island. Whale watching tours and wild life tours, bc whale tours is one of victoria s finest whale watching companies. Call or click to make a reservation now and mention you are staying at the empress hotel to get a special rate.
Whale watching is a popular activity for residents and visitors to victoria, bc. Tenzing gives us a very personal encounter with nature without being disruptive to the marine environment. Whale watching tours and wild life tours, bc whale tours is one of victorias finest whale watching companies. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. 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. In victoria, there are numerous companies that offer whale watching tours. Since whales travel close to the coast, many people enjoy going out on boats to view them. Whale watching around vancouver island in british columbia is an exceptional experience that will leave you awestruck after watching whales that weigh thousands of pounds frolic in their natural habitat. Victoria, bc is the best place on earth to view whales in the wild. Ensure that company you chose has qualified staff, the knowledge of our orca naturalists is.
Admire native marine wildlife in the waters of british columbia on this 3hour whale watching adventure in victoria. Everywhere you turn, the photographic opportunities in vancouver islands marine ecosystem are spectacular. Prince of whales adventures bcs best whale watching. Sep 20, 2017 whale watching is one of the popular activities to do while visiting victoria, bc growing up on the island weve sort of taken this for granted. Setting the bar high for the local whale watching industry we have been inspiring and. If seeing orcas is a priority, please keep these dates in mind when you book your tour with us.
She came into our hands some twenty years ago and was repurposed as a wildlife viewing vessel. The whale spends the summer and a few fall months in the arctic waters before heading south. Between may and november, the chance of seeing whales is 9598%, but if you dont see any, we invite you back on complimentary tours until you see whales. Whale watching tours in victoria bc springtide whale. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in the waters surrounding victoria, including the orca, or killer whale, and gray, humpback, and minke whales. Around mid to late fall, the whales start their 5000mile journey south to baja california. Killer whales are best observed from mid july through the first week of september. Catamaran excursions launch from victoria s inner harbour. Hop aboard your opentop boat in victoria harbour and cruise out into the rolling waves with your guide. From the commencement of our tour you will see the snow crowned olympic mountains virtually soar from the sea bed. In fact, the tour company, whos name ive purposely left out, didnt want to. Whale watching holidays vancouver island, bc canada. Watch whales and other diverse marine species on the salish sea on this 3. With many years of experience, youll be sure to enjoy this luxury ride.
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