BC Whale Watching : Wildlife Tours
Northern British Columbia, Canada

Whale Watching in North BC: A Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour is one of the more popular tours on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is an adventure suitable for all ages and enjoyed by all cultures. It is an adventure providing amazing scenery, history and wildlife viewing opportunities while exploring aboard a boat or plane.

The northern waters along the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada is a prime viewing area for many varieties whales like the Humpback, Gray, Minke and Killer Whales (Orca). The Northern Passage between the North B.C. coastline and the Queen Charlotte Islands is part of the migration route and feeding grounds traveled by some of these beautiful creatures every year.

Whales, like many species of wildlife, do not always want to sit still. It is not a guarantee that you will see whales on your tour but you will see other wildlife. Although your chances of seeing a whale is extremely good - it is likely you will see other wildlife like Bald Eagles, White-sided Dolphins, sea lions, seals, Black Bears, hawks, Blue Herons, and deer. Whale Watching is all in the timing, the seasons and takes a little bit of luck.

Tour companies provide transportation aboard a comfortable, covered boat ( or plane) equipped with gps and radio communications, coffee and led by a knowledgeable interpretive guide with water rescue training.

Gray Whales (Eschrichtius Robustus) arrive in the coastal waters of Northern B.C. between mid July to October. A short visit by the "Giants of the Pacific" to feed on the spawning herring while passing through Hecate Strait. Humpback Whale migration is an exhausting journey covering 20,000 km from Baja California, Mexico to the Beaufort Sea in Alaska.

Killer Whales - Orcas (Orcinus Orca) are best viewed between the months of May to July. The Orcas travel in whale pods and are categorized into two groups: transient and resident whales. Transient are migratory and resident stay local. There is nothing more beautiful then seeing the black and white whale breech.

Most of the Northern British Columbia whale watching tour companies depart from the community of Prince Rupert. Tours vary in length, time and transportation. Some include boating around Kaien Island providing an opportunity to view the historic fishing village of Port Edward .