The Whale Trail is comprised of over 100 land-based whale watching sites which span the coasts of California through British Columbia. There are 35 Whale Trail sites overall in British Columbia, with 12 of those located on Vancouver Island.
Where can I see whales on the land in Vancouver Island?
What to expect: Located along Vancouver Island’s northeast coast, Telegraph Cove is one of the best places in the world to see orcas. The protected waters of Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago are home to around 200 whales each summer. Most of these are orcas, but humpback whales can also be seen here.
Can you see whales from shore on Vancouver Island?
Whales, well you just have to be lucky. Whale watching from the shore is an unlikely gamble. There are a few places – Galiano Island’s Bellhouse Provincial Park, Point Roberts in Washington State, Lime Kiln Park on San Juan Island, as others have suggested – where once in a while, orcas have been sighted.
Can you see a whale from land?
Whales are more commonly seen from land in the summer. There are various reasons why whales dare to travel so close to the shore, the most common is that they are following schools of herring or other species.
Can you see whales from the land in Tofino?
Humpback Whales can be seen during summer months anywhere within 30 miles off shore and larger groups of them may be spotted while on fishing trips out of Ucluelet, Bamfield or Tofino. Humpback whales will feed in the inlets and it is possible to see them in Barkley and Clayquot sound.
What is the best time of year to see whales on Vancouver Island?
Three hours in length, April through October are the ideal whale watching months. In this peak season, we boast a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including both transient & resident orcas, humpback, Minke, & gray whales!
Can you see whales from BC Ferries?
Ferries from Bear Cove travel through both coastal and deeper waters, providing opportunities to see a wide variety of cetaceans. Humpback whales, killer whales, and harbour porpoises are common in the area and are often seen by BC Ferries passengers.
How close to shore Do whales get?
They sometimes come within 50 feet of the shore.
Can you whale watch from shore?
Yes it is possible to see whales from shore, but I suggest you take the tour boat. Like, rickb said, the big whales are in deep water, so it’s easier to see them if you’re on a boat.
Can you see whales in Nanaimo?
Our coastal wilderness is home to killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, eagles, and more! Our 3-5 hour whale watching tours depart daily all year from downtown Nanaimo BC.
How can you tell if a whale is near?
Where to look:
- Scan from left to right, slowly, and then back again. Look close to shore, and look out across the horizon.
- Look for boats, especially if they are stopped. Sometimes the best way to find marine mammals is to find the other people who are watching them.
- Is it a log, or is it a whale?
What is the probability of seeing a whale?
It is estimated that less than 1% of people living on planet Earth will see a whale in their lifetime.
What happens if a whale is on land?
Whales can only survive a few hours on land. They breathe the air just fine. The problem is that their fat holds in too much heat. When the water is not there to absorb the heat, they die.
Is Victoria or Tofino better for whale watching?
From Victoria you are more likely to see Orcas as the resident southern pod is usually in or around nearby Islands. From Tofino you are more likely to see Grey Whales as there is a small population of juvenile Grey Whales sometimes adults as well.
Is it better to do whale watching in Vancouver or Victoria?
There are more whale watching boats here than any other region since Victoria hosts more tourists than any other place on Vancouver Island. Victoria is one of the top spots for Orca (Killer) whale watching on Vancouver Island but you also have a chance to spot Humpback, Minke and Gray Whales.
Can you see whales from shore Orcas Island?
Shore-based Whale Watching: Spend an afternoon at Lime Kiln Point State Park, a 36 acre day use park on the west side of San Juan Island considered one of the best places in the world to view orca whales from shore.
Is whale watching better from Vancouver or Vancouver Island?
Hands down, the best place on that coast to view whales and all kinds of wildlife is the Northern Vancouver Island area, specifically Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago. Here’s why: The area is the summer home of over 280 Northern Resident orcas— also known as ‘killer whales’.
What time of day are whale most active?
Whales are never diurnal, but they can be crepuscular. This means they are most active during twilight hours which are both before sunrise and after sunset.
Is it better to go whale watching in the morning or evening?
One of the reasons that the morning time is the best time of day for whale watching has to do with weather and ocean conditions. The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind.
What time of day is best to see whales in Victoria BC?
But first, we stress that there’s no “best” time of day to go whale watching. Whales are out and about doing their thing day and night, so whether you go out in the morning, afternoon or evening you’ll always have a great chance of seeing whales and other marine wildlife.
What month is best for whale watching in Victoria BC?
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR WHALE WATCHING? While it is possible to see whales at any time of the year, there is a peak season from May through October. During this peak season we boast a greater than 95% chance of spotting whales in Victoria, particularly resident orcas, humpback whales, and transient orcas!