Whale Watching in Vancouver
Photo by Dick Martin: Orcas off Vancouver Island
The Prince of Whales
Story by Paul Hughes, 2019
Every year more thn 30,000 humpback whales migrate past where we live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, sometimes with 500 metres of the shore, so one might wonder why we would go whale-watching in Canada.
The answer is simple. We were keen to see Orcas, or killer whales as they are known, and a half-day whale watching tour was recommended to us by one of our travel supporters, Vancouver Tourism.
It was certainly well worthwhile. We were fortunate that the tour was with a company known as Prince of Whales because the departure port was at Granville Ferry, which was only a 15-minute stroll from our hotel in downtown Vancouver, plus a 10 minute ride with False Creek Ferries.
A great aspect of the trip was that everyone at Prince of Whales is very friendly, accommodating and really knows their stuff.
Our first available day was a Wednesday but the weather forecast meant it might be a little rough for some (and also more difficult to see the whales), so the tour was cancelled. We took the following morning as our schedule was jam-packed and we were leaving on a cruise to Hawaii on the Saturday.
While the weather was a bit breezy it suited me fine; I used to fish 30-kilometres out to sea in my 24-foot game fishing boat, so I enjoyed the fast ride in the big cruiser that comfortably catered for the 57 passenger plus crew.
The cruiser had three passenger levels and we took the top open deck, only to catch plenty of water spray as we powered out for almost an hour. On the way we were briefed by a very passionate marine scientist Wilma, who shared with us many stories of the whales found around Vancouver; the work that has been done over many years identifying and naming all of the local Orcas; as well as ensuring everyone had an idea of what to watch for and to call out if they saw a whale or even a splash they thought might have been a whale.
Every year more thn 30,000 humpback whales migrate past where we live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, sometimes with 500 metres of the shore, so one might wonder why we would go whale-watching in Canada.
The answer is simple. We were keen to see Orcas, or killer whales as they are known, and a half-day whale watching tour was recommended to us by one of our travel supporters, Vancouver Tourism.
It was certainly well worthwhile. We were fortunate that the tour was with a company known as Prince of Whales because the departure port was at Granville Ferry, which was only a 15-minute stroll from our hotel in downtown Vancouver, plus a 10 minute ride with False Creek Ferries.
A great aspect of the trip was that everyone at Prince of Whales is very friendly, accommodating and really knows their stuff.
Our first available day was a Wednesday but the weather forecast meant it might be a little rough for some (and also more difficult to see the whales), so the tour was cancelled. We took the following morning as our schedule was jam-packed and we were leaving on a cruise to Hawaii on the Saturday.
While the weather was a bit breezy it suited me fine; I used to fish 30-kilometres out to sea in my 24-foot game fishing boat, so I enjoyed the fast ride in the big cruiser that comfortably catered for the 57 passenger plus crew.
The cruiser had three passenger levels and we took the top open deck, only to catch plenty of water spray as we powered out for almost an hour. On the way we were briefed by a very passionate marine scientist Wilma, who shared with us many stories of the whales found around Vancouver; the work that has been done over many years identifying and naming all of the local Orcas; as well as ensuring everyone had an idea of what to watch for and to call out if they saw a whale or even a splash they thought might have been a whale.
It was comforting to know there were no “false” sightings to be laughed at! The captain and crew were happy to advise that whether the sighting was a seal, dolphin or even a floating log, they were happy tom investigate rather than miss a potential whale sighting.
About 25 kilometres from port in the Salish Sea we sighted a tail splash about 500 metres ahead of the boat and for the next hour we were entertained by what Wilma confirmed as two families of Orcas that had joined forces to fish, guessing they were possibly herding a sea lion by the way they were swimming back and forth. There were at least two males (readily identified by their large flukes) that often cruised side-by-side, a number of females and at least two babies.
Although we were close to the whales, it was challenging to both watch the Orcas while trying to video or photograph them with my iPhone (above), especially as they were appearing on both sides of the boat on occasions, so some of the images are not as clear as the orcas below, reproduced from the North Island Gazette.
About 25 kilometres from port in the Salish Sea we sighted a tail splash about 500 metres ahead of the boat and for the next hour we were entertained by what Wilma confirmed as two families of Orcas that had joined forces to fish, guessing they were possibly herding a sea lion by the way they were swimming back and forth. There were at least two males (readily identified by their large flukes) that often cruised side-by-side, a number of females and at least two babies.
Although we were close to the whales, it was challenging to both watch the Orcas while trying to video or photograph them with my iPhone (above), especially as they were appearing on both sides of the boat on occasions, so some of the images are not as clear as the orcas below, reproduced from the North Island Gazette.
While we were excited, Wilma and the other crew members were over the moon because sometimes they see only a few Orcas, and often for a much shorter time. Their excitement and passion for the whales and other wildlife was contagious and I was moved by their stories about the plight of some of the whales.
Apparently two “groups” of Orcas frequent the nearby waters - a relatively small number of whales live in the region and are known as Southern Resident Killer Whales. The team has a book that identifies and names each whale by its markings, and they have great records of sightings over the years.
Apparently two “groups” of Orcas frequent the nearby waters - a relatively small number of whales live in the region and are known as Southern Resident Killer Whales. The team has a book that identifies and names each whale by its markings, and they have great records of sightings over the years.
Above: Leaving Vancouver and powering out to sea; and a sketch of our trip and sighting location
Where possible the Prince of Whales team try to find the transient Biggs Killer Whales or Hump Back Whales to take pressure off the local Orcas.
Wilma related how earlier this year one of the resident killer whales known as J35, or Tahlequah, gave birth to a baby female, but unfortunately the calf did not survive. Although the boats kept their distance from the local whales, the whole team and their guests over that time were amazed to see Tahlequah carrying her dead calf for days on a tour of grief across their normal territory, before letting it go.
They believe a scarcity of salmon, seals, sea lions and other fish that make up the Orca’s normal diet is causing great distress among the resident Orcas, which is another reason why they passionately implore guests to take better care of our oceans.
I was also impressed that Prince of Whales is part of the Pacific Whale Watching Association, which has voluntarily extended the distance in approaching the local whales from 100 metres to 200 metres. Previously boats had to slow down to seven knots when within 700 metres of the whales, but this has also been voluntarily been extended to 1,000 metres, although the speed limit distances remain at 100 metres and 700 metres respectfully for transient Orcas and Hump Back Whales.
If you are on a whale watching tour and you see a whale much closer than 200 metres, firstly thank your luck stars and secondly don’t criticise the captain. Whales are a wild species with a mind of their own and are often known to dive out of sight then surface near a boat, either to have a look at what is going on or perhaps looking for their prey which perhaps was trying to hide under the boat!
Wilma related how earlier this year one of the resident killer whales known as J35, or Tahlequah, gave birth to a baby female, but unfortunately the calf did not survive. Although the boats kept their distance from the local whales, the whole team and their guests over that time were amazed to see Tahlequah carrying her dead calf for days on a tour of grief across their normal territory, before letting it go.
They believe a scarcity of salmon, seals, sea lions and other fish that make up the Orca’s normal diet is causing great distress among the resident Orcas, which is another reason why they passionately implore guests to take better care of our oceans.
I was also impressed that Prince of Whales is part of the Pacific Whale Watching Association, which has voluntarily extended the distance in approaching the local whales from 100 metres to 200 metres. Previously boats had to slow down to seven knots when within 700 metres of the whales, but this has also been voluntarily been extended to 1,000 metres, although the speed limit distances remain at 100 metres and 700 metres respectfully for transient Orcas and Hump Back Whales.
If you are on a whale watching tour and you see a whale much closer than 200 metres, firstly thank your luck stars and secondly don’t criticise the captain. Whales are a wild species with a mind of their own and are often known to dive out of sight then surface near a boat, either to have a look at what is going on or perhaps looking for their prey which perhaps was trying to hide under the boat!
About Prince of Whales
When we were in Vancouver the Prince of Whales was the largest family-owned whale watching and eco-adventure company in British Columbia, employing more than 100 staff in summer and with 14 boats operating from Seattle, Telegraph Cove, Vancouver and Victoria.
The business was launched in 1996 with a purposed-design Zodiac rigid hull inflatable boat and today operates with a huge 95-passenger catamaran, two cruisers and a network of Zodiacs. The company donates one percent of revenues to organisation that support marine conservation and also spends a great deal of time and effort on research and education.
Whether or not you are into conservation, taking a whale-watching tour with Prince of Whales is certainly well worthwhile, especially if you are choosing from the many options of tours available.
To find our more or contact the Prince of Whales team directly, click here.
When we were in Vancouver the Prince of Whales was the largest family-owned whale watching and eco-adventure company in British Columbia, employing more than 100 staff in summer and with 14 boats operating from Seattle, Telegraph Cove, Vancouver and Victoria.
The business was launched in 1996 with a purposed-design Zodiac rigid hull inflatable boat and today operates with a huge 95-passenger catamaran, two cruisers and a network of Zodiacs. The company donates one percent of revenues to organisation that support marine conservation and also spends a great deal of time and effort on research and education.
Whether or not you are into conservation, taking a whale-watching tour with Prince of Whales is certainly well worthwhile, especially if you are choosing from the many options of tours available.
To find our more or contact the Prince of Whales team directly, click here.