Whale Watching--Vancouver

Can you take a whale watching tour from Vancouver? We will have 2 days there mid June.

Thank you!

Can you take a whale watching tour from Vancouver? We will have 2 days there mid June.

 

Thank you!

There aren't many whales in the Vancouver area. Killer whale pods sometimes come close but not often.

Here is a link

http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver/things-to-do/parks-wildlife/whale-watching.aspx?gclid=COuszsSQ2MMCFQqGfgoddzQAqg

Yes there are whale viewing opportunities in Vancouver. However, Juneau features the larger and majestic humpbacks. Vancouver features the smaller and faster Orca whales. A few companies to consider...

Departing from downtown Vancouver's Granville Island, I went with Wild whales which takes you around UBC, Airport, to Tumbo Island near the San Juan.

http://www.whalesvancouver.com/

If I had to do it again, I might try Vancouver Whale Watch. The main difference is they depart from Richmond's Steveston (there's downtown hotel shuttle service). The boat ride is shorter to the Tumbo Island without the long bumpy ride around UBC/Airport because of the outgoing Fraser River currents.

http://www.vancouverwhalewatch.com/

Are you interested in visiting Victoria? The Prince of Whales combine whale watching with a stop in Victoria (or onwards to Seattle). Departing near the cruise terminal, it takes you to Victoria after doing your whale watch. You can also visit Butchart Gardens!

http://princeofwhales.com/vancouver/#round-trip-packages

I assume all three operations do their primary viewing around Tumbo Island. If so, you might as well save some time by visiting Victoria.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Islands_National_Park_Reserve

June is an excellent time to see killer whales if you're whale watching out of the Vancouver area.

There are no "regular" places the boats go to see the whales. They are wild animals and their locations vary from day to day. But no matter which company you choose, you will ultimately end up in the same spot.

There are three companies I would recommend (Prince of Whales... is not one of them for many reasons):

Steveston Seabreeze Adventures: Locally owned by former fishermen who captain their own ships. These guys know the waters like the back of their hands! They depart from Steveston and provide a shuttle service to and from any Vancouver area hotel.

Vancouver Whale Watch: Also departs from Steveston and has shuttle service.

Wild Whales: These guys depart from Granville Island, which may seem more convenient but in reality it just means the time to get to the whales is significantly longer. Most trips involve crossing the Strait of Georgia, which can suffer rough conditions, and due to the angle these guys have to cross it, you'll be on that rough patch almost twice as long as Seabreeze Adventures or Vancouver Whale Watch.

Every year is different, but in 2014 there were a lot of transient (marine-mammal eating) killer whales that were seen in the Strait of Georgia and around the Canadian Gulf Islands.

I know my information contradicts what others are saying, but trust the one who works on these boats. ;)