At this time of the year, people from all over the world flock to Vancouver Island, BC to witness up close and personal the sheer beauty and majestic view of different species of whales. When visiting the area, Victoria and Nanaimo are among the ideal jump off point to getting in and around the whale watching locations.

If you want to make the best out of your travel, here is a complete guide on the different popular hotspots along with key information on whale watching activities.

Victoria & Gulf Islands Whale Watching

Among the different hotspots, this is the most famous location to go whale watching, especially the area around Juan de Fuca Strait and Haro Strait on the southern end of Vancouver Island. Tours and trips are just an easy excursion booking out of Victoria.

Whale Sightings. There are different types of whale species that frequent in these waters including gray whales, orcas (or killer whales), humpback whales and minke whales. Dall’s porpoises, California sea lions, Stellar’s sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, elephant seals and harbour seals are also among the other animal species you will see. In addition, you can also discover hundreds of marine bird species around this area.

Best time to go. Starting from the end of April up to the end of October will be the peak viewing season. However, you can always visit and join a tour anytime the whole year round since there will always be a lot to view.

Northern Islands & Johnstone Straits Whale Watching

There are several prime whale-watching locations that exist at the northern tip of Vancouver Island. There are also a lot of small communities operating in whale-watching tours including the communities of Port Hardy, Alert Bay, Port McNeill, Sointula and Telegraph Cove.

Whale Sightings. Here you will discover transient orcas, entertaining humpback whales and migrating gray whales. A lot of these whale classes summer in the Strait. You will also be able to find Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbour seals and other types of seals. The Island also offers an important area for some of the greatest salmon fishing.

Best time to go. There are 19 pods enclosing more than 170 orcas that travel in the Strait. Thus, the best time to visit the area is between the months of April and October. At this time of the year, if you visit by the end of the peak view season, you might still view a number of whales and other animal species but your comfort might be compromised because the weather is quite temperamental.

Tofino, Pacific Rim & Ucluelet Whale Watching

This famous whale-watching area is located in the west coast and is popular for its migrating gray whales for each month of March and April. The location is wild and rugged, enclosing a lot of sounds filled with coves, bays, channels and inlets.

Whale Sightings. Although the most widely known species of whale you can see is the gray whale, occasionally you will also see humpback whales. Also, don’t miss the California sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters and many bird species.

Best time to go. The most appropriate time to view the gray whale is during their yearly migration between the months of March and April. All throughout summer however, whale-watching happens on the Pacific Rim. There are about 40 to 50 gray whales do a stopover to spend the summer nourishing off this coast.

Accommodations

After of few nights of fun and pure revelry, you can look forward to spending a luxurious and relaxing stay at among some of the best hotels in Vancouver Island, including one of our sponsors, BEST WESTERN Northgate Inn:

BEST WESTERN Northgate Inn

6450 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9T 2L8

Phone: 250-390-2222 | Fax: 250-390-2412

Conveniently located at the center of the northern end area of Nanaimo, the Northgate Inn provides tourists and traveling guests all the modern facilities to ensure a very comfortable stay for those family holiday vacations and weekend getaways. The hotel has been newly renovated and it features a wide collection of well-appointed guest rooms all decorated in contemporary designs.

The Northgate Inn is near some of the biggest shopping malls in Vancouver Island and as well as fine restaurants. Having maintained a flawless reputation of constantly providing top-rated accommodations and world-class quality and service, the hotel offers everything you need including those on business trips such as a conference centre and a meeting room.

For the different transportation options in getting around the different key whale watching areas, check out our Vancouver Island travel page.

Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to and a link to Amazing Vancouver Island.