Captain’s Blog
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Erich Hoyt: Whale & Dolphin Researcher & Conservationist
May 4, 2013
An inspiration and an authority on whale and dolphin watching and conservation, Erich Hoyt is arguably the most influential figure of modern whale watching. He is the author of 14 books and hundreds of articles, some of them for children, and a major figure in oceanic research and marine habitat conservation. In the beginning, there […]
An Ecological Approach To Whale Watching
April 21, 2013
As our name indicates, whale watching is an amazing adventure. These big marine mammals have fascinated people since they first saw them; many cultures, such as British Columbia First Nations, have used whales as symbols and considered them divinities. Jonah spends three days in the belly of one—so does Pinocchio. Whale watching as economic activity […]
Overview of Canadian Whale Watching Laws
April 4, 2013
As you hang over the railing of the boat, anxiously waiting for a whale sighting, you may wonder why the boat doesn’t get closer. After all, you’re here to watch whales, and it’s hard to see them when they seem so far. However, as you may or may not know, whale watching companies have to […]
Orca Groups of the Pacific: A Short Overview
March 24, 2013
During your Victoria whale watching trip, you may hear our experienced guides discuss “orca groups”. “Groups” is a specialized name meaning something like “extended family”. Orca groups are groups of orcas hunting and mating together, stable in its members but showing incredibly complex family structures. Scientists have named three types of orca groups: resident, transient […]
Orcas in First Nations Culture
March 20, 2013
As the first inhabitants of this beautiful land, West Coast First Nations have developed, over the millennia, a rich and fascinating culture surrounding the typical animals found in our waters and forest. And of course, as a frequent sight along our coasts, the beautiful orca is an important part of First Nations culture, as much […]
What Can You See On A Whale Watching Tour?
February 28, 2013
updated: March 22, 2022 As the name implies, whale watching tours are meant to take you out on the water to see whales in their natural environment. Whale watching in Victoria BC can offer you that experience, but there are more than just whales living in the straits around Vancouver Island! Here’s a short guide […]
Cruiser or Zodiac? The Best Choice for Whale Watching
January 2, 2013
Here at Orca Spirit Adventures, we like to give you choices for your Victoria whale watching tour. During the high season, we have several whale watching tour departures every day, so you can choose the one that suits your schedule best. But more than that, we even give you the choice for what kind of […]
Fin Whale Spotted Near Campbell River
September 27, 2012
For the first time in recorded history, a fin whale was spotted in the Strait of Georgia. A Fisheries and Oceans cetacean research technician first photographed the whale near Campbell River, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, and the whale was later spotted cruising in the waters off Nanaimo. Fin whales do frequent British […]