Whales are notoriously difficult to buy a gift for. They look terrible in sweaters, they have no use for a jar of homemade jam, and the latest gadgets don’t work under the sea. So, what do you get a whale (or whale-friendly human) that has everything?

An eco-friendly gift that keeps on giving, of course!

Here are our top eight whale and wildlife-friendly holiday gift ideas for 2024….

1. Make a gift donation to the “Exploring the Salish Sea” program!

Help us empower the next generation of Salish Sea stewards! Make a gift donation to our award-winning “Exploring the Salish Sea” education program. Your generosity will help make this popular, community-based program accessible to ALL students in the Greater Victoria area.

As a thank you, the donor (or gift recipient) will receive a 20% value coupon for an Eagle Wing whale watching tour, valid until Dec. 31, 2025. (This coupon offer expires on Jan. 31, 2025.) To donate or learn more visit here!

2. Give a gift membership to the Center for Whale Research!

The Center for Whale Research (CWR) is an internationally recognized pioneer in marine mammal photo identification and research. Based in Washington State’s San Juan Islands near Victoria, the organization is dedicated to the study and conservation of the critically endangered southern resident killer whale population in the Pacific Northwest.

Your support makes their important work possible. When you become a member of this great organization, you’ll receive access to:

• a downloadable southern resident killer whale ID guide
• the WHALE Report newsletter, which includes population updates, field reports, exclusive videos, free photo downloads, and more
• Email notifications of the most recent encounters.

Plus, you’ll get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing you’ve made a direct contribution to killer whale conservation, education and advocacy!

3. Sponsor a whale safety sign, or a humpback whale!

Support research, education and wildlife response with the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS). Sponsor a “See a Blow? Go Slow!” sign in the name of your favourite family member or friend who already has everything.

You can also sponsor a humpback whale if that’s more up your alley, which includes a card with a photo, a sticker of your sponsored whale’s fluke, one year of online access to your sponsored whale’s biography, photos and updates.

Prefer a gift you can wrap up? Check out the MERS online shop for some unique, locally made treasures for the ocean-lover in your life. Contributions directly support research, education and marine wildlife response activities!

4. Contribute to ocean research and conservation!

Shop thoughtfully from organizations like Pacific Wild, where your purchases help to support campaigns like Save BC Wolves and Protect Pacific Herring.

Donate to Bay Cetology, which conducts field studies on cetacean populations along the BC coast and elsewhere. Or the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which is working hard to restore and protect BC’s declining salmon populations at the community level. Or the Peninsula Streams Society which restores and protects watersheds throughout Greater Victoria.

5. Adopt a porpoise!

Help protect porpoise and their habitats. Give a porpoise adoption as a gift through the Porpoise Conservation Society and directly support research, education and conservation efforts to help these small cetaceans. You can choose your species, including the critically endangered vaquita porpoise of Mexico which desperately needs all the help it can get!

Check out the list of organizations Eagle Wing Tours supports for more ideas!

6. Adopt a bird!

For the bird-lovers on your list, support bird conservation and education by gifting them with a symbolic bird adoption from the list of birds commonly banded at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO). Or how about a gift certificate for a course on how to be a better birder? Don’t forget to visit the RPBO online shop which offers a range of bird-themed gifts. Every purchase helps protect migratory birds and supports the work of RPBO.

7. Give a gift membership to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea!

Donate to or give a membership to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney BC. The centre also has a wonderful gift shop with plenty of ideas for kids and grown-ups alike, including many of the books we mention above. There’s currently no online option for the gift shop but it is open for in-person shopping. Pick up a yearly pass (as a gift or treat yourself!) while you’re there!

8. Give the gift of an Eagle Wing Tours experience!

Don’t know what to get for that family member or friend who has everything? Eagle Wing gift certificates are available and easy to purchase online. With an abundance of whales and a variety of wildlife, framed by the breathtaking scenery of the Salish Sea, every trip is an adventure. Come and explore the Salish Sea with us!

We’re offering a 20% discount for residents of Vancouver Island from now through to Jan. 31, 2025. Call our office so we can apply the discount to your booking. The discount also applies to gift certificates!

To book a tour, give us a call or book online!

Happy Holidays everyone!