Whales & FAQ's
Learn more!

What about these whales?

March and April -
Every year approximately 20,000 Grey Whales swim from their breeding lagoons in Baja, Mexico and journey 10,000 kilometers or 6,000 miles north to the Bering and Chukchi Sea to forage for food.  Leaving Baja in January, these "wandering giants" pass by the West Coast of Vancouver Island in small groups starting around March 1 (2-10 whales at a time).  The entire parade takes close to two months.  During this time (March - April) our tours run out of Ucluelet harbour and up the coast around Amphitrite Point Lighthouse and through the remote islands outside Ucluelet to watch the procession of the "wandering giants" swim slowly north.

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April through October -
Somewhere between 15-20 of these large creatures settle in around the Barkley Sound area to begin feeding where they will opt out of the northern migration and stay in the local waters to forage and feed until the end of September. These are known as our "resident" Grey Whales as they will stay until the northern whales swim by in September and October (far offshore where we can't see them) on their way down to the breeding grounds in Baja, where pregnant mothers will give birth in November after a 13 month pregnancy.  Fortunately for us , these seem to be the same whales that return each year, making identification (even nick-naming) the whales easy. Many of the residents look forward to sneaking a peek at the tourists every once in awhile, too!  

Frequently Asked Questions  

What type of whales will we see?

• Primarily Grey Whales, with occasional Killer Whales (Orca) and more frequently in the past two years Humpback Whales

What is the best time of year to see whales?

• Anytime between March and mid October.

• We have never “guaranteed” sightings -- so far we have not needed to. This past year we had a 98% success rate spotting Grey Whales. Because we have constant communication with other boats, fishermen and kayakers, finding whales has never been a problem.

How close do you get to the animals?

• Federal regulations prohibit us from getting closer than 50 meters to Sea Lions and Grey Whales, and 100 meters to Humpback Whales and Orcas. Out of respect for the animals, we rarely get this close and on many occasions we shut down the motors and electronics on the boat so we can quietly observe the animals in their natural environment. This method has proven successful over and over again, and has led to many whales voluntarily swimming over for a curious “peek” at us.

Do you ever see Orcas?

• The Orcas, or Killer Whales as they are often called, are a different species here than in Victoria. They are “Transient” whales and eat sea mammals. They cover a large territory and we see them on occasion every 2-3 weeks.

What do we wear?

• Weather on the West Coast varies from day to day – regardless of the season. Wear warm shoes and a light jacket. We will supply you with a fully insulated floatation suit, as well as a fleece hat and gloves.

Will we get wet?

• As you can see from the photos, Sundancer is a large rigid-hulled inflatable and deflects spray very efficiently. This is not like river rafting where sheets of water pour over the boat. Instead, we keep a steady speed and keep the boat in contact with the water. Realistically though, you can expect the occasional bit of ocean spray. It is, after all, part of the experience!

Can we take our cameras?

• Absolutely. You can keep your still or video camera in your bag while in motion, and we also provide waterproof bags if you are concerned about any spray.

Will I get seasick?

• Motion sickness is rare, but has happened with some individuals on occasion. Although we cannot administer any remedies, motion sickness pills are most effective when taken an hour before departure. We also have sea-sickness wrist bands available for use if you feel the need.

What about weather? Will you ever cancel a trip if it is too rough?

• Yes, although this past year we rescheduled a trip due to weather only 6 times. Because we travel in a relatively protected area, we are not exposed to the open ocean for very long, therefore as long as you are warm and dry you can relax and enjoy the ride! Fog is also common on the coast, but has never stopped us from finding whales or seeing the sights.

Contact us

Email: info@westcoastwhales.com

Call toll free: 1-866-726-7727 to reserve

Tours depart March through October.