Whale and Wildlife Watching Tours – Summer
May 01 - Nov 30
What you might see
What to expect on your winter wildlife tour
We offer exceptional winter wildlife viewing opportunities on tours running from Dec. 1 through April 30. There’s always plenty to see out there!
Experience Victoria’s #1-rated West Coast whale and wildlife watching tour, offering a diverse range of enriching and educational nature-viewing opportunities. Although whales can’t be guaranteed at this time of year, our extended range means a better chance of finding whales while you enjoy our heated, semi-covered catamarans. Hot beverages included (post-COVID-19).
On this tour, you’ll see a diverse selection of wintering birds, seals, sea lions and perhaps some playful porpoises. Hoping to see something bigger? Bigg’s or transient killer whales (the mammal-eaters), grey whales, humpbacks and minke whales can also be seen on our winter tours. Our professional and knowledgeable captains and naturalists are eager to tell you about the incredible marine wildlife here in the Salish Sea!
Although this tour doesn’t offer the Whale Guarantee, we still have a very good chance of seeing whales. Our winter whale sighting success rate is: December 100%, January 67%, February 33%, March 77% and April 83%. If we get a report and daylight and weather permit, we’ll go the extra mile to show them to you!
Eagle Wing team members are excited to share everything our big blue back yard has to offer and we’re very motivated to provide you with more than just a “look at the whales.” As we make multiple wildlife stops we provide world-class interpretation and personalized service.
- Please review our COVID-19 Safety Pledge
- Eagle Wing Tours is committed to providing a supportive, safe and welcoming environment that ensures respect and dignity for all employees and guests. Please see our Code of Conduct, which outlines our expectations from guests to help us meet our high standard of service.
Private charters
Are you looking for a wildlife experience without the crowds? For the discerning traveller we offer private charters, with the option of setting your own agenda. Contact us and we’ll begin personalizing your West Coast experience today!
Included in the winter tour
-
- No Whale Guarantee
- Incredible wildlife viewing
- Onboard wildlife identification kits
- Gloves, jackets, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, blankets
- Heated cabin
- Knowledgeable naturalists/biologists
- Onboard washrooms (x 2)
- Hydrophone—you can actually hear the whales!
- Luxury vessels
- Please refer to “Our Safety Pledge” for more details
What to bring
- Cameras (and their protective cases)
- Warm clothing, in layers (it’s cool out there!)
- Woolly hats, gloves
- Water in a reusable container
- A smile and a sense of adventure!
- Please refer to “Our Safety Pledge” for more details
Your purchase matters!
$5 of every ticket supports local wildlife
Wildlife Fee
First introduced in 2013, our Wildlife Fee raises money to directly support the southern resident killer whales and conservation in the Salish Sea. All of the money raised is donated directly to the Wild 4 Whales Foundation, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, The Center for Whale Research, and over 25 other local marine research and educational organizations.
Industry leaders since 2011 for environment protection
1% For The Planet
As Victoria’s first whale watching tour operator to become a proud business member of 1% For the Planet, we happily contribute one percent of our gross revenues to non-profit groups dedicated to the pursuit of sustainability and environmental protection.
Whale viewing guidelines
Please understand that when we’re viewing the whales and other marine wildlife we’re guests in their home. It’s our responsibility to follow a strict set of viewing guidelines to respect their natural life processes. Yes, the whales can get close occasionally because they don’t know the rules, but they can also be far away in some instances.
- We’re asked to maintain 200 metres in Canadian waters / 200 yards in American waters from Bigg’s killer whales; 100 metres for baleen whales such as humpback, minke and grey whales. We don’t view the endangered southern resident killer whales.
- If the whales are along the San Juan Island shoreline then we maintain either 1/4 mile or 1/2 mile around Lime Kiln Park.
- There are two vessel no-go zones near Pender and Saturna Islands.
- For all other islands in the Salish Sea (over 419 of them!) we maintain at least 200 metres (220 yards) if whales are inshore of us.
- Most of the time, the whales are out far enough from shore for us to view them at the minimum regulatory distances.
- Bring a good camera with a telephoto lens!
