Victoria waters

[Amy G]

We are considering taking a whale watching tour and I was wondering if the waters are rough.

[martincath]

It should be relatively smooth (the island blocks the worst of the waves & weather), but it also depends where the whales are - trips from Victoria/Vancouver and northern parts of Washington state all primarily go looking for our resident Orca pods, who can cover quite a distance.

 

If they are way down at the western extent of their range, south of the island, you're much closer to open ocean conditions - if they're anywhere north of Victoria then you're in the most sheltered areas. Call a day ahead and ask where the whales have been spotted and if you're really concerned, only go if they're North-east of Victoria.

 

Of course none of the boats will go out where the sea is dangerously rough, and there are a range of different sizes of boats from the really low & bouncy Zodiacs up to 60+ foot two-deck vessels that hold c.75 people.

[Putterdude]

We are considering taking a whale watching tour and I was wondering if the waters are rough.

 

This is impossible to predict. As a person who has sailed in the Strait of Juan de Fuca since a teenager I can tell you that there have been days when we couldn't get out of Victoria harbour in a 75' vessel and other days the waters are as smooth as glass. Normally during the summer months seas are not an issue but if you are prone to motion sickness .... well there are no guarantees.

[Amy G]

Thanks all!