Each summer Victoria becomes a Mecca for orca whale-watchers from around the world. With some operations setting up shop without regard for the whales, nor for your experience we want to do our part to ensure you are not disappointed. We have 2 options to present for your consideration:

• Marine Wildlife Sighting Guide

A private 3 to 6 hour personalized marine eco-tour aboard Birds of a Feather Luxury Zodiac. See all the whales a public charter would see and much more in the privacy of your own group. Preferred rates for our B&B guests.

^{Humpback whales 40 minutes offshore from Victoria, BC - Photo Credit Jeff Lorton}

Birds of a Feather whale-watching departures can be from Victoria’s inner harbour, from Sidney, or from Sooke. In fact we can even come to Vancouver and pick you up there or just about anywhere on Vancouver Island. We specialize in custom private small-group charters which sail to your convenience and schedule, or …

A booking aboard a regularly scheduled 3 hour whale-watching tour aboard a zodiac or, covered boat with the Orca Spirit Adventures. We have been booking our B&B guests with the Orca Spirit since 1997. They are reputable and make every effort to ensure your trip is to your complete satisfaction. Please allow us to make your booking at no extra charge to you. We can assist you with your choices including the best times to book.  Even if you are not staying with us it would our pleasure to assist you and do our little part to promote responsible whale watching.

Orca Spirit offers three tours daily (9 a.m., 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.) and each tour is three hours long. Tours depart from the marina behind the Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel @ 146 Kingston Street (downtown Victoria). Tours are suitable for persons of all ages, from infants to seniors, and they also have a designated wheelchair accessible area.

• The best time of year for Orca (killer whale) watching is April through October. The Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits are home to three Resident Orca pods, called J, K and L pods, which total nearly 100 Orcas. In addition to the Orcas, we often see Minke, Gray and Humpback whales, porpoise, Stellar and California sea lions, harbour seals, elephant seals, river & sea otters and a large variety of sea birds such as cormorants, bald eagles and puffins, to name only a few. Sighting success rates during this peak season can range up to 99 % !!
• wmv movie of Orcas with audio .89 MB
• mpeg Orca breaching amongst kayakers 1.95 MB … a good reason to book one of our boats :-)

Below: A Humpback whale flukes his tail in the ocean waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca just off southern Vancouver Island