| 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 .
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