There’s no seagoing experience quite like watching, |
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 100
magnificent animals.
The northern residents total 217 whales in 16 pods
which patrol the Johnstone Strait, 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 further than
the resident pods.
Best viewing from May to October.
Pacific Gray whales migrate north along the west
coast of the 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 Types of Whales, Wildlife
and Scenery
Think dramatic, windswept shores, endless miles of
sandy beaches, islands, hidden coves and
swirling currents.
And of course, there are many types of whales in
British Columbia, such as Orca, gray, Minke and
humpback.
Thousands of whales migrate along the BC coastline
en routeto Alaska or back to Mexico. Pods of Orcas
(killer whales) reside in southern Vancouver Island’s
protected, marine-life-rich coastal waters.
Also be on the lookout for porpoises, seals, sea lions,
seabirds and more.
On many guided tours, onboard naturalists and
marine biologists explain these fascinating marine
ecosystems.
Whale-watching near Vancouver and Victoria.
There’s not too many places in the world where it’s
possible to walk to the downtown harbour of a
capital city, don a marine suit, board a high-speed
zodiac and be sightingwhales within minutes.
This is the case in Victoria, and whale watching is
just a short, convenient launch from Vancouver, too.
Feeding grounds are located close by BC’s two
major cities.
Whale Watching on Vancouver Island and in
Northern BC
BC boasts hundreds of kilometres/miles of remote inlets
and a craggy coastline, particularly along Vancouver
Island and in Northern BC.
Whale-watching operators head to secluded spots
where whales thrive, but are much too remote and
harsh for human settlement.
BC A DAY AT A TIME
CHERYL YOUNG, REALTOR, VICTORIA B.C
www.cherylyoung.ca
SAANICH PENINSULA REALTY
SIDNEY BC cbythesea@shaw.ca
www.facebook.com/cherylcyoung
www.twitter.com/CherylCYoung
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