WHALE WATCHING WITH PRINCE OF WHALES

Mysterious and Majestic Mammals

Victoria, British Columbia

by Susie Lee

I left for my whale-watching excursion from Victoria’s picturesque inner harbor. This adventure went far beyond whale watching: I also witnessed seals, eagles, and other wildlife in their natural habitats along the coast. It proved to be both a scenic and an educational adventure as my well-informed guide fascinated me with interesting facts throughout the trip.

If you are looking for a high-speed adventure, then look no further! I suggest taking a trip on a Zodiac open-style inflatable boat. These vessels are fast and maneuverable due to their lightness but they are also stable because they have a low center of gravity. They are better for the environment as they reportedly use up to 40% less horsepower, which in turn requires 50% less fuel than traditional vessels.

Sitting in the Zodiac, passengers enjoy an incredible view no matter where they are seated. I hung on for dear life with both hands on the handrail as the boat zipped along the coastline of Victoria and then out into the open waters of the Pacific. For me the ride itself was just as thrilling as the whale spotting. We sped towards the San Juan Islands, our whale-watching destination for the day. The boat ride was fast and furious, bouncy and exhilarating!

It was a warm summer day but I was glad I had bundled up in my red insulated floatation suit, as it was cool and windy out on the water. The speed just took my breath away; there was definitely no opportunity for conversation as we sped along at close to 100 km/hr. Don’t let the warmth of a summer day on land fool you; I suggest you wear a fitted hat, layers, closed shoes, and gloves on the water.

Within minutes of reaching our destination, we saw pods of Orcas traveling eastward. They were frolicking, as if to perform with us. I was impressed with how many pods of whales we saw that day – in total I counted close to 30 whales. It was fascinating not only to see them, but also to hear them communicate with each other through the hydro phonic radio. This was the first time I had witnessed the marvel of whales in such close proximity. My favorite part of the trip was when a couple of whales breached out of the water completely. This was a great 3-hour tour filled with adrenaline and an incredible variety of wildlife.

The guides at Prince of Whales are fountains of information and are delighted to educate visitors in regards to how we can make a positive environmental impact through awareness and action, both in our daily lives and on their eco-tour. They advocate for whales and adhere strictly to industry guidelines when observing the mammals in their natural habitat, by maintaining a safe distance and approaching slowly and with caution.

PHOTO GALLERY