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WRITTEN BY: LORI, MARINE NATURALIST The Salish Sea is a spectacular marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean encompassing the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound. It is one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world, and there are many different species of whales in the Salish Sea….

Written by: Lori, Naturalist This is a question that often arises on our tours – particularly when we’re viewing Humpback whales. When guests see Humpback whales in the wild they are often blown away by their incredible size and grace in the water. If you’re really lucky when you come out on our tours, you…

Orcas, also known as killer whales, have a notorious reputation as apex predators in the ocean. Understanding their behavior gives us a deeper appreciation for these intelligent and formidable marine predators. Their interactions with great white sharks, another top predator in the marine ecosystem, reveal fascinating insights into the complexity of oceanic food webs and…

Written by: Lori, Naturalist The Salish Sea is an area of breathtaking beauty, awe-inspiring biological diversity, and rich cultural history. It is truly a unique and special part of the world, and we are fortunate to call this region home. As whale watching guides, we spend a great deal of our time out on the…

Written by: Lori, Naturalist There are few experiences in life that compare to seeing an orca in the wild. There is something about their unique colouration, intelligence, and obvious power that makes experiences with them absolutely unforgettable. People from all over the world travel to Victoria and book whale watching tours with the hope of…

Written by: Matt, Zodiac Captain While most will join us on our tours from Port Renfrew with whales as their primary interest, there are some guests who realize that these remote waters give access to bird species that they normally would not get a chance to see for themselves. Birders – passionate about the incredible…

Written by: Matt Burnaby, Zodiac Captain Halfway through our fifth season here in Port Renfrew, Sarah and I often ask ourselves how it is possible that we have managed to find whales on every single voyage. While there are only a handful of exceptions where we have not been able to access the waters outside…

Weekly Sightings Summary July 12th to 18th As we approach the middle of summer, sightings of wildlife continue to be diverse and abundant here in the Salish Sea! This week was full of experiences with creatures who depend on the salty waters that surround south Vancouver Island, including rare species like Brown Pelicans, mammal hunting…

Bald Eagles are an icon of the Pacific Northwest. Whether they are soaring high above, perching in a tall tree, or clutching a fish from the ocean, they are always spectacular to see. Bald Eagles are a large raptor species that prey on fish, birds, reptiles, and terrestrial & marine mammals. They also practice kleptoparasitism…

Meet the Harbour Seals! Harbour Seals are the most abundant marine mammal in British Columbia. They sure are abundantly adorable and always exciting to see! With so many different haul out sites within the Salish Sea, guests are sure to spot Harbour Seals on any of our tours. With their annual pupping season about to…