When putting together the plan and itinerary for our 20 canada trip, one of the things that were on top of the priority list right from the start was whale watching. Best whale whale watching discover vancouver island. Members of the public are encouraged to download the whalereport app and report. Canada day is also the whale s birthday, and the party is always epic.
The whale interpretive centre is located in telegraph cove, bc and run by the nonprofit johnstone strait killer whale interpretive centre society. Eagle eye adventures is the most reliable whale watching tours company in canada. Dms whale watching welcome to discovery marine safaris. A whale watching trip is a once in a lifetime experience. Other transportation in the community includes taxi, bus and car rentals. These can be kayaking, highspeed zodiac trips, cruises, or even seaplanes. Hotels near prince of whales whale watching, victoria on tripadvisor. Three pods of about 80 resident orca whales live around the southern tip of vancouver island and in the gulf islands. Distance between courtenay, bc and cowichan bay, bc. Its uncertain whether its a humpback or a grey whale. Whale watching in bc british columbia whale watching guide. Campbell river whale watching, grizzly bear, wildlife and ocean rapids adventures tours go wild.
Or travel with us to oxford river for some once in a lifetime grizzly bear viewing. This oversupply and the early 1920s recession together forced three bc whaling stations to close in 1921. Our company utilizes stateoftheart, custom designed, locally built vessels that are leading in the industry for safety. The bc whales team will use every means possible to collect data on the populations, movements, food source and essential habitat use of orca, humpback and fin whales along the north coast. Come to spaces for your next birthday party, sports team celebration, or team building session. Whales tale toys has been bringing joy and laughter to the young people of the comox valley through its wonderful. A different prince of whales boat struck a humpback whale near victoria, b. Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale. Whales tale toys courtenay opening hours 332 5th street. Experience some of the best whale watching on vancouver. Waters in the pacific northwest are home to many magnificent marine mammals. Canada day is also the whales birthday, and the party is always epic. The tail of a humpback whale in the atlantic ocean off the coast of newfoundland.
The whalereport alert system wildwhales bc cetacean. The prime whalewatching season in british columbia is between april and late october. Many whale species use these northern waterways as their feeding. Start the morning in comfort with spectacular views of georgia strait from the luxurious heated inner cabin featuring floor to ceiling windows. Comox valley farmers market, courtenay, british columbia. Tours, whale watching, festivals what to do while staying at the foskett house bed and breakfast in the comox valley on vancouver island, british columbia. Bloedel lies in the pacific time zone pstpdt and observes daylight saving time.
Killer whales are best observed from mid july through the first week of september. The greatest variety is observed between midjuly and october. British columbia is one of the worlds most famous places for whale watching and the city of vancouver is the perfect place to start your whale watching tour during the summer months, whether you take a trip from downtown or a scenic suburb near vancouver international airport. Whale watching in british columbia tourguide canada. A group of around 20 people stopped to watch the whale close to the float plane ramp on the east side of the park. On both we travel throughout the waters of the salish sea, discovery passage and johnstone strait viewing killer whales and humpback whales. Recent efforts to determine current status of cetacean species. The rugged beauty of the west coast is something that should be experienced. Our open vessels, bc tika, bc nova, and bc orca do have a height restriction of 4 feet 1. And within this, chances to see them, camera in one hand, binoculars in the other, are almost limitless. Additionally, the whale trail bc contributes to conservationbased research by prompting people to report their sightings to the sightings network, which is used to help track populations of marine mammals in b.
After 35 shallow dives, it regularly shows a tail fluke when diving for deeper waters. The comox valley regional airport is served by three major airlines, with 12 daily flights between vancouver and comox and direct flights from calgary. British columbias whalewatching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. The white whale restaurant ltd restaurants courtenay. A humpback male whale is famous for its magical song. The 5 best whale watching tours from vancouver 2020. Eagle eye adventures is the first in the world accredited responsible whale watch company. The majestic orca has long been the proud symbol of our incredible city. Here are four criteria for choosing the best whale watching tour for you. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. Never be back white whale public house, courtenay traveller.
As we near the end of our season youd expect things to start winding down in the wildlife world of blackney pass but they dont. By reflecting on the time we have spent with our neighbours, we are only just beginning to understand their nutritional, spatial, acoustic and social needs. Whale watching in july and august vancouver island. Here is some clips that have been shot and edited by one of our captains over his various trips. Promoting responsible wildlife viewing and awareness with true educational merit. If you want to meet halfway between courtenay, bc and comox, bc or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are 49. It was hanging around the river near the courtenay airpark floatplane ramp around 9. Sea lions are calling from their haulouts across the pass, epic numbers of gulls are feeding on herring balls, and humpback whales are more active than ever. Sep 25, 2017 this journey starts from campbell river and we are on route to comox and courtenay, british columbia, canada. If seeing whales in their natural habitat is something you have always wanted to do, then planning a trip to do so is easier than you might think.
Click on the moose on the left for complete bc travel information. A whale was spotted swimming around the courtenay river today. Locate and compare whale watching in driftwood mall courtenay bc, yellow pages local listings. Nov 07, 2017 maple lake is located northeast of the cumberland village core and lies just west of the inland island highway at the junction of cumberland road. Frequently asked questions bc whale tours victoria. Experience some of the best whale watching on vancouver island. There is no seagoing experience quite like watching, closeup, a sleek whale weighing thousands of pounds frolic like a child in its natural habitat. The proposed acquisition is of 90 hectares of land, including 20 hectares of lake bottom, a 100 metre buffer around the lake, and adjacent wetlands. Dec 24, 2010 driving in courtenay city british columbia bc canada comox valley duration. You can spot various kinds of whales, like humpback whales, orcas, grey whales, and minke whales. Come along for an exciting whale watching, grizzly tour, snorel adventure or even vancounver island. The most popular, of course, are the whales, but there are many other marine animals found in this region such as dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions and sea otters. The coast of bc is the fortunate home of several species of whales and other marine mammals, including porpoise, seals, sea lions, and sea otters.
If you want to meet halfway between courtenay, bc and cowichan bay, bc or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are 49. You also have a chance at seeing both harbour and dalls porpoise as. Campbell river to courtenaycomox transportation whether youre looking for great value or great style, ridebooker has a vehicle for you. Courtenay whale watching in bc clarke wright 20191216t16. Through the internet, we found several companies offering whale. During your trip to vancouver island, it is well worth taking in one of the many tours available along the coast of vancouver island and keeping your full attention on the water.
Humpbacks feed on krill and small, schooling fish such as herring and capelin. This area is particularly interesting for orcalab, a research centre, on hanson island, dedicated to studying and monitoring whales not only on the surface, but also. Whale watching in british columbia mainly boils down to whale watching on vancouver island, even if you can also book tours directly from vancouver. Pst heure normale du pacifique hnp, pdt heure avancee du pacifique hap. Our whale watching tours located off the southern coast of victoria, british columbia consist of viewing transient orca pods, migrating humpback whales, grey whales and other marine animals that reside in our coastal waters. Small aircraft and floatplanes land at the courtenay airpark near downtown courtenay. Best hotels near prince of whales whale watching, victoria. Tour operators, both on the mainland and the island, have specialized on orcas another highlight is the migration of the gray whales past the western part of the island.
Weve rounded up the best ways to get you from campbell river to courtenaycomox and put them into a handy list so you can easily compare your options. If seeing orcas is a priority, please keep these dates in mind when you book your tour with us. Whales of british columbias north coast the information and photographs contained on this website are the result of 20 years of living alongside the majestic whales of northern bc. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc. From a cedar strip canoe, i was resting at a point betwn grebe islets and eagle harbour, offshore about 1 km in west vancouver. Scientists use whale call recordings to coax male orca from. Locate and compare whale watching in comox valley bc, yellow pages local listings. The 15 best things to do in courtenay coronavirus update.
Halfway point between courtenay, bc and cowichan bay, bc. You can choose from various tours around the gulf and san juan islands. We have two different whale watching tours to choose from. Whale spotted in vancouver island estuary vancouver. The most commonly spotted whale in this area is the grey whale, but occasional humpbacks and orcas make an appearance, too. Best place to go whale watching in british columbia. Monthly beer pairing dinners showcase everything the whale is passionate about. Whale watching around vancouver island in british columbia is an exceptional experience that will leave you awestruck after watching whales that weigh thousands of pounds frolic in their natural habitat. Whale spotted in vancouver island estuary bc local news. Courtenay whale watching in bc british columbia travel. We provide whale and grizzly bear tours, and great bear rainforest tours. The t99s were actively hunting near sandheads today.
Naden harbour and rose harbour reopened in 1922 and 1923, respectively, but kuyquot closed permanently in 1925 after attempting to reopen in 192234. All three species are threatened under the species at risk act sara, and they have the propensity to migrate along identical routes that has been proposed for lng tankers to. Whale watching from vancouver to victoria prince of. Saturdays 9 am 1 pm, april to october comox valley exhibition grounds 4839. We continue to monitor the impact of covid19 and are conscious of the peoples concern. Every whale trail panel highlights local information and marine mammal species that can be spotted in the area.
The world market was soon saturated with whale oil. Surrounded by three oceans, its no wonder that canada is an amazing destination for whale watchers. A comox valley family captured some stunning video and stills of their close encounter with a pod of orcas near courtenay. About bc whale tours leave the crowds behind on our custom made vessels specifically designed for comfort, speed and safety that carry only 12 guests at a time. There are few sights more thrilling than whales in their natural environment, and the waters off the coast of british columbia are rich with marine life. A prince of whales whale watching boat docked in coal harbour.
Map of courtenaycomox, vancouver island vancouver island. Steveston seabreeze adventures, whale watching tours. Whale watching kingfisher oceanside resort and spa, courtenay. What to do while staying in the comox valley on vancouver. Victoria is one of the top spots for orca killer whale watching on vancouver island but you also have a chance to spot humpback, minke and gray whales. The 10 best things to do in courtenay 2020 with photos. This migrating baleen whale forages near shorelines on krill, plankton and tiny fish.
The white whale doesnt always host events, but when they do, you should probably go, as its a guaranteed good time. Ensure that company you chose has qualified staff, the knowledge of our orca naturalists is. Campbell river, bc to courtenay comox, bc taxi transportation. Steveston seabreeze adventures, whale watching tours, at steveston village, vancouver, british columbia, canada. A gray whale delighted onlookers and photographers wednesday morning as it was spotted coming to the surface in the estuary near the courtenay airpark. Humpback whales from both populations have been sighted in coastal bc waters. Both populations move to higher latitude feeding grounds near alaska in the summer. We are courtenays first virtual reality arcade and have been serving the the comox valley since october 2017. Vehicle access to tofinoucluelet from vancouver includes a crossing with bc ferries. What to do while staying in the comox valley on vancouver island. This oneway adventure will take you from vancouver, bc, canada to victoria, bc, canada aboard a custombuilt highspeed catamaran, embarking on a 4hour, fullyguided whale watching and marine wildlife viewing tour. Whaletrips british columbia whale watching in british. The white whale 975 comox road, courtenay, british columbia v9n 3p7 rated 4. Bc ferries operates a ferry route between comox and powell river on the british columbia mainland.
How the mississippi shantyboats helped build a culture duration. Up and down the coast of british columbia, from victoria to port hardy on vancouver island, from vancouver to the bc gulf islands, and up to haida gwaii queen charlotte islands. The closest international airport to downtown courtenay is the victoria international airport yyj 2 hours 56 minute drive 237 kms. Up and down the coast of british columbia, from victoria to port hardy on vancouver island, from vancouver to the bc. Free shuttle pick up available in courtenay and comox. You are whale watching off british columbias coast and these are typical whale maneuvers. British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. Whale spotted in courtenay river my comox valley now. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. Scientists in british columbia used whale whisperer tactics thursday to coax a large male killer whale out of a busy marine harbour by playing recorded sounds of other orcas to the animal. Campbell rivers premiere whale and bear watching destination. Initial reports of the whale in the area came in around 9 a.
This live camera offers you a whale watching experience near parson island, in canada, as blackney pass and johnstone strait are two of the most common travel routes for orcas in the summer and fall months. Recent sightings vancouver island whale watch nanaimo bc. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. On our whalewatching tours, they are most commonly encountered in the fall, september and october. British columbia is one of the worlds best locations for whale watching. Map of courtenaycomox, vancouver island donald lovegrove 20190114t23. Comox british columbia travel and adventure vacations. Thousands of whales migrate through the vancouver coastal waters every year from march to october. White whale public house, courtenay updated 2020 restaurant. Find rickys locations opening hours and closing hours in courtenay, bc and other contact details such as address, phone number, website. There is a good chance of spotting humpback whales during whale watching tours in british columbia. Teachers can download information as needed for classes. There are numerous operations offering whale watching and marine mammal tours, mostly from vancouver island but also in the queen charlotte islands, prince rupert, sunshine coast and vancouver. The centre was founded in 2002 to provide a venue in which to increase public awareness about the biology of marine mammals and the anthropogenic threats facing their populations.
964 569 369 379 1483 780 929 310 663 1523 212 670 476 396 177 289 764 1453 896 1179 104 110 909 1251 1388 270 1194 714 109 76