Whale Watching on the West Coast of Canada

The West Coast of Canada is the perfect place to see Canada’s beautiful scenery and some of its most famous residents! Canada has an abundance of wildlife on land and just as much variety along its coastlines. Whales are majestic and impressive creatures that will take your breath away; and Canada’s West Coast is the perfect place to spot them!

Whale watching in the West Coast of Canada is both easy to do, and very accessible too. A short boat journey from the bustling city of Vancouver or Victoria, the picturesque capital of British Columbia, and you’re in prime whale watching territory!

There is so much to see on a whale watching trip, and your jaw will drop when you first see a massive Grey Whale, a huge mammal that is still elegant and graceful in the water. Grey whales are a magnificent once-in-a-lifetime sighting; most of their body is covered in barnacles and lice, and they undertake the largest recorded migration of any mammal.

The West Coast of Canada has one of the highest populations of orcas in the world. Commonly known as killer whales, spotting them can be a really special experience as you observe how a group of these creatures interact with each other. A surprising fact about orcas is that the orca is actually classed as the world’s largest dolphin.

You might also see a Minke whale, a smaller whale (in whale terms!) and there are even Humpback whales across the West Coast. Humpback whales are some of the most recognisable and approachable, and are regularly seen performing water acrobatics by leaping out of the water and creating huge splashes! Humpback whales are also known for their magical songs that haunt the oceans.

On a Canadian whale watching tour, you will also get the chance to see a whole host of Canada’s sea birds – an added bonus to your coastal wildlife adventure!