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Whale Watching Victoria BC

Marine Wildlife Sighting Guide for Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands

 

 

 

 

 Each summer Victoria becomes a Mecca for whale-watching from around the world. We offer private tours aboard our luxury zodiac.

 

 

 

One of our happy clients!

Humpback whales 40 minutes offshore from Victoria, BCHumpback whales 40 minutes offshore from Victoria, BC - Photo Credit Jeff Lorton

Birds of a Feather whale-watching departures can be from Victoria’s inner harbour, from Sidney, Metchosin, Sooke, Salt Spring Island, or anywhere we can trailer the boat. In fact we can even come to Vancouver and pick you up there, or just about anywhere on Vancouver Island. We specialize in custom private small-group charters which sail to your convenience and schedule.

Birds of a Feather Custom whale watching Victoria BC charters

Orca breaching during Victoria whale-watching tour

  • The best time of year for Orca (killer whale) watching is April through October. The Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits are home to three Resident Orca pods, called J, K and L pods, which total nearly 100 Orcas. In addition to the Orcas, we often see Minke, Gray and Humpback whales, porpoise, Stellar and California sea lions, harbour seals, elephant seals, river & sea otters and a large variety of sea birds such as cormorants, bald eagles and puffins, to name only a few. Sighting success rates during this peak season can range up to 99 % !!
  • wmv movie of Orcas with audio .89 MB
  • mpeg Orca breaching amongst kayakers 1.95 MB … a good reason to book one of our boats :-)

Orca breaching during whale watching tour from Victoria

Orca Killer whale

Orca Killer whale watching off Vancouver Island

Below: A Humpback whale flukes his tail in the ocean waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca just off southern Vancouver Island

Humpback Whale

 

 

Baby Orca breached!

Thu, 06/19/2008 - 07:32 — admin

The open air market on Salt Spring Island was a unique and fun experience. The arts and crafts stores in Ganges were a delight to discover. We enjoyed the fresh air, the natural scenery and the Dahl’s porpoises along the way. The ride back to Victoria was even more scenic as we boated through the channel and under the old wooden bridge between the Pender Islands. Going home the long way through the San Juans and around the bottom of San Juan Island was an excellent choice. We saw Orcas and a recently born baby orca breach out of the water! The boat is very comfortable and Dieter knows the waters like a seasoned mariner. We really appreciated having the zodiac all to ourselves and not being on any schedule. This was the best trip to Victoria ever! See you again next year for another adventure.

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Whale calf buoys hopes for pod - L118 Orca

Tue, 06/21/2011 - 07:52 — Dieter

A rambunctious youngster is causing waves among whale watchers around Juan de Fuca Strait.

The first new calf of the season for the endangered southern resident killer whales is racing around with other members of L Pod, said Ken Balcomb, executive director of the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Endangered western Pacific grey whale could be bound for Vancouver Island

Tue, 01/25/2011 - 11:42 — Dieter

Flex, an endangered western Pacific grey whale who has astounded researchers by leaving Russia and speeding across the Bering Sea, could be in northern Vancouver Island waters by the weekend.

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