Whales

More than 33 species of whale live in Canada’s three oceans, and you can watch them from small zodiacs, sailing boats, comfortable cruisers and, in Newfoundland, even from the shore.

The distinctive black and white orca or killer whales live in the Pacific Ocean off Vancouver Island. Marine wildlife day trips run from Victoria at any time of the year, with whale watching from 1 April to 31 October. The glorious waters of the Johnston Strait between the island and the main coast are home to nearly 300 of these majestic and playful creatures from late June to October. Half and full day trips operate from Sayward and Telegraph Cove, taking you into the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.

The enormous grey whales can also be seen puffing and blowing fountains of sea water off the coast of Vancouver Island. Day trips run out of Tofino on the west coast between March and October; the best time being March and April when they migrate northwards.

Every summer up to 100 humpback whales gather in the rich waters of the Frederick Sound in central Southeast Alaska. Here you can wonder at the sight of 50 tons of whale ‘breaching’ – heaving itself out of the water – and landing in an explosive splash. Probably best viewed from on board The Snowgoose, you can also see them from any ferry or cruise ship. Groups of animals can be seen lunge feeding, huge mouths agape, while porpoises shoot past like torpedos, and white-sided dolphins play in the waves.

The fabulous humpback can also be seen in the Saguenay-St Lawrence Marine Park, together with snow-white belugas (otherwise seen only in the Arctic Ocean) and many other species of whale. Half day trips by boat or inflatable zodiac take place through the summer.

Twenty-two species of whale live along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. An astonishing five thousand humpbacks visit during the summer months. Minke are common, and there are also fin, sperm, porpoise and dolphin You can see these monsters of the deep on a variety of day trips.

Click on the link to see what whale holidays are offered by Frontier Canada.