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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…

The Victoria Long Weekend brought the Capital City blue skies and sunshine. Guests joined us on the Haisla Explorer and we began our search for whales and other marine wildlife by heading west. We cruised along the shoreline until we reached the shores of Becher Bay, then we swung out into the middle of the…

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…

Sunday, April 25th- 12pm Tour It was an exciting day to be on the water with guests and crew anxious to see whales and other fascinating wildlife. We boarded the Haisla Explorer and set out west of Victoria. West of Race Rocks Lighthouse, we spotted the tall fins of 2 males and one female killer…

Ever wondered what it would be like to find yourself in the middle of an experience that was as exhilarating as it was relaxing? That was the question I was trying to get answered a couple of weeks back when I talked to Captain Mick Miller about what it’s like touring a group of people…

When people think of going whale watching near Victoria, they often anticipate seeing large whales like humpbacks, orcas and grey whales. But there are much tinier cetaceans out there that are just as fascinating and fun to watch – the porpoises! Whale watching near Victoria provides an excellent opportunity to spot two different species of porpoises…

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and Marine Protected Area is an iconic grouping of small islands nestled nine nautical miles west of the Victoria Harbour. It is a place we visit on many tours when we are searching for whales in the Juan de Fuca Strait. Not only is the lighthouse itself stunning and historical, but…

Written by: Rachael Merrett- Orca Spirit Marine Naturalist Most people swoon at the adorable faces of Sea Otters and their habit of holding each other’s paws to stay close together. Many people are unaware of the history of sea otters in the North Pacific and how close the world came to losing them completely. Locally,…

Human beings often look to other humans to learn how to live and operate on this planet. It makes sense for many reasons, however, there’s a lot to be learned from other animals on the planet too. In particular, there are lessons orcas can teach us about life on land! Orcas are an animal possessing…

Written by: Rachael Merrett, Orca Spirit Adventures Marine Naturalist At Orca Spirit Adventures, marine wildlife conservation and protection are at the heart of everything we do. We feel the most effective ways to protect local wildlife are through the education of our guests and supporting scientific research and monitoring. With such a diverse array of…

There is always more to learn about the beautiful black and white creatures of the sea. Here are 10 interesting facts about orcas that will give you a deeper understanding about these fascinating marine mammals. 1. ORCAS ARE THE LARGEST SPECIES OF DOLPHIN Orcas, often referred to as “killer whales” (Orcinus orca) are a toothed…

In the Pacific Northwest, the Southern Resident Killer Whale population has been facing a crisis that threatens their survival. The crisis is an ever-dwindling supply of Chinook Salmon, their preferred prey, within their range along the western coast of Canada and the United States. Chinook Salmon make up approximately 80% of the Southern Resident Killer…