Image courtesy of janheuninck from the Inside Vancouver Flickr Pool.
This summer there have already been a few reports from excited whale watching fans who have had the opportunity to see a whale up close and personal in the Vancouver harbour. A few are even lucky enough to capture a video of the event including a North Vancouver woman who was on her paddleboard and just so happened to come across a grey whale near Stanley Park on August 13th.
Earlier this summer, a pod of orca whales made headlines when at least four whales were spotted swimming in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour in June. So, if you want in on the action and want to spot a whale yourself, where’s the best place for a chance to see whales in Vancouver? Here’s a few suggestions:
1. Keep your eyes peeled on the Seawall
One seemingly great option to spot a whale is to do a daily stroll around the Vancouver seawall . This is where the whales are most commonly spotted from when they’ve been reported this summer and previous years. Even if you aren’t able to catch a sight of any killer whales, you’ll likely get your fill of wildlife with seals, fish, birds, and other native species.
Image courtesy of Rob Hurson | Flickr.com
2. Take a cruise on BC Ferries
Another great option for spotting a whale in Vancouver is to “book a cruise” on BC Ferries, specifically to Victoria or the Gulf Islands. During the Spring time and Summer the captain of the ship often interrupts the voyage to point out wildlife that can be seen from the decks of the ferry, including whales.
Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see a killer whale jump, like this lucky passenger who uploaded their once-in-a-lifetime video to YouTube .
Image courtesy of Brian Gatwicke | Flickr.com
3. Make it a sure bet at the Vancouver Aquarium
If you are dead-set on seeing a whale in Vancouver and don’t want to leave it to chance, one option is to visit the Vancouver Aquarium . While the facility doesn’t house Orca whales anymore, they have two beluga whales that love to take a selfie with you every once and a while.
4. Book a tour and board a boat
If you really want to get a closer look of a whale in the wild, another great option is to book a whale watching tour. May to October are the prime times to see orcas feeding in areas around Vancouver. You could also have a chance to see a variety of whales including humpback, gray whales, and minke whales (and maybe a few dolphins to boot).
A number of tour operators in Vancouver offer whale watching expeditions around the Gulf and San Juan Islands, so you can spot pods of whales from a high-speed zodiac, fully-equipped cruiser, kayak or seaplane. Check out a great list of whale watching tours in Vancouver here .
Above all, please remember that if you do get the rare chance of witnessing a whale in the wild, always remember that these are in fact wild creatures. Treat them with respect and keep your distance!
