The seas around Vancouver are home to 81 resident killer whales (or orcas) and hundreds of transient killer whales that prowl the waters at various times of the year. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see orcas from the decks of the BC Ferries vessels that criss-cross the Georgia Strait or even from land.
But to get an up-close view, there’s really only one option: whale watching tours. During the March-October season, multiple tour companies based in Coal Harbour, Granville Island and Steveston specialize in tracking down pods of orcas and other types of whales and giving wildlife lovers a chance to view them from a safe distance. Options range from speedy zodiac boats that zip over the waves to larger covered cruisers for whale watching in style.
I recently rode along on a Prince of Whales boat for what they call the Ultimate Day Tour, which combines whale watching with sightseeing on Vancouver Island. Spoiler alert: We didn’t see any orcas. But we did see another member of the whale family, one that makes the killer whale look almost puny by comparison. Continue reading:
PHOTO ESSAY: Whale Watching (with a twist) in Vancouver