WHALE WATCHING, VANCOUVER ISLAND
When we decided to head to the Pacific Northwest, the first thing I knew I wanted to do was see some whales! There is a plethora of options when choosing your whale watching adventure, but we highly recommend the tour agency that we went with: Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours, based in Victoria on Vancouver Island. Eagle Wing has whale watching tours that explore the Salish Sea, each tour lasting three and a half to four hours. However, I recommend checking Eagle Wing’s website to confirm that the time and date you want is available, and then absolutely reserve your spot in advance. If you are looking for something outside their traditional options, they also offer private charters!
Another Eagle Wing group out on a tour seen from our boat!
As you get to choose the type of vessel you go on, we chose the one named, “Wild 4 Whales.” This particular boat allows you to experience your adventure in open air, while also providing a covered area (for when the wind feels too chilly or you want a little reprieve!) This boat is a catamaran, and perfectly handles the water. After a doozy of an experience off the coast of Ireland, I have learned that my body has a proclivity for seasickness. We were incredibly lucky that our whale watching tour occurred on extremely calm water, but this is not always the case. If you, too, have an inclination towards seasickness, I would recommend taking any necessary precautions in advance so you can enjoy your whale watching excursion as much as possible! The team at Eagle Wing helped me choose the right boat, as open air is the best option for someone who is feeling a bit queasy. Please note that if needed, there are two restrooms on the specific boat that I chose for our tour, but I encourage you to confirm the boat’s facilities before heading out to sea!
CJ seated inside the cabin with a pair of binoculars, provided by Eagle Wing
Another thing to keep in mind to ensure you have the best experience possible, is to bring layers of clothing! The ocean air will be a tad cooler than the air on land, so bringing a hat, scarf, and gloves, as well as a jacket, really goes a long way! As this adventure can be upwards of four hours, bringing a bottle of water and even some snacks are also great ideas. And of course – bring your camera to capture some whale tails, bathing sea lions, and cute little fins that pop out of the water! If you do not have a particularly great phone or camera to capture these memories, rest assured that the crew will be taking photos with professional cameras, long lenses, and a keen eye! After your outing, watch your inbox for the crew’s best scenic and wildlife images taken during your tour, available for you to download.
An example of a photo given to us by Eagle Wing from our tour!
And wow did we see a lot of wildlife! We first spotted an adorable otter, followed by a host of Steller sea lions, California sea lions, and harbour seals. Then we saw a humpback whale and a ton of orcas! Pulling back into the marina, we saw our last species, the harbour porpoise. When we were near some killer whales, the crew lowered a hydrophone into the water so we were able to hear their calls. It was such a surreal experience! Please note that Eagle Wing is committed to responsible whale watching and follows strict guidelines as to not disturb the natural habitat of the wildlife. In addition, a portion of each whale watching ticket goes to various organizations that support conservation research in the region.
Lounging sea lions spotted on our tour
Our four-hour whale watching tour was the highlight of our trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is venturing out west. If you have any questions, I encourage you to reach out to Eagle Wing, as they are very responsive and helpful!
