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 dolphinsThe 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 OctoberThere 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.What to wear on your guided, whale-watching journey:It is always cooler on the ocean, so dress accordingly. Layer, layer, layer: on a warm summer day, you can wear shorts, t-shirt and sandals, but bring along pants and a fleece sweater or vest, along with soft-soled shoes. Pack cameras, sunglasses and sunscreen, bottled water and a plastic bag to keep personal items dry.On cooler days, layer up with pants, short or long-sleeved t-shirt, fleece sweater, gloves, toque, soft-soled shoes and/or rubber boots. Check with your tour operator for more information.Whale watch from a kayakAn ideal way to explore the maze of islands, sheltered waters and marine wildlife is on a guided kayak tour. Some operators set up base camp on small islands that offer easy access to whale-watching areas — though you can often spot them right from the shore.Expect to paddle, on average, 4-5 hours a day on guided tour. This varies considerably depending on weather conditions, tides and currents.