Top 3 Reasons To Book A Winter Wildlife Tour
December 17, 2021
Written By: Lori, Naturalist
When you think of going whale watching you may picture it solely as a summertime activity. It’s easy to picture blue skies and a beautiful sunny day when we think of being out on the water. Fortunately, in Victoria the weather remains relatively mild throughout winter, and even though the hustle and bustle of the city slows down, it’s possible to go whale watching in the winter on a Winter Wildlife Tour with Orca Spirit Adventures.
While winter may be a bit colder and require you to bundle up, I think there are some huge perks to experiencing the wild in a different season, and I’m excited to share them with you here. It’s always worth it to find time to connect with nature. In the winter months, we may even crave this connection more than ever and going whale watching in the winter can surely satisfy this craving.
Why Should You Book a Winter Wildlife Tour?
1. The Abundance of Wildlife in the Winter
There are many different animals that call the Salish Sea home, and many of these animals can still be found in the winter months! Harbour seals, Elephant Seals, California and Steller Sea Lions, Harbour Porpoises, Dall’s Porpoises, River Otters, a resident Sea Otter, as well as a variety of birds can be spotted on our tours in the winter. Not to mention you still have a good chance of seeing Humpback Whales and even Transient Killer Whales!
Humpback Whales in the Salish Sea migrate down South for the winter months, but different individuals depart at different times. Some Humpback Whales will stay in the area as long as possible to put on as much weight as they can before migrating to warmer waters. This means you can still see these large and impressive animals during the off season! Transient Killer Whales can travel up to 100km per day, and they can still be spotted on whale watching tours in the winter months. All the more reason to get out on the water and experience these magnificent creatures!
2. You have the Ocean All to Yourself for Whale Watching
There are fewer vessels out on the water during the winter months, making it a fantastic time to view wildlife and enjoy the natural environment. You’ll have much less of the hum and visual stimulation of various vessels, so you can simply enjoy the natural world around you in a peaceful setting. Not only that – but book a zodiac tour with four people and you may even have the vessel to yourself! It’s great to enjoy some one-on-one time with our attentive and knowledgeable guides.
3. The Scenery is Stunning
With colder weather comes snow, and the mountains that you can see from Victoria become even more stunning. The Olympic mountain range becomes an ethereal sight, and on a clear day, you can have an incredible view of Mt. Baker. Mt. Baker holds the world’s record for snowfall during a single winter season – and in any given year the mountain’s snowy peak is an impressive sight to behold. You can still have incredible weather days in the winter, and there is so much to explore in the Salish Sea. While out whale watching you’ll enjoy seeing the different islands and the rugged coastline Vancouver Island is famous for.
We Hope to See You Out On the Water!
Hopping on a zodiac for a Winter Wildlife Tour with an experienced guide is truly an unforgettable and exciting experience. The crisp air, the wildlife sightings, and the spectacular mountain ranges will truly make your trip memorable. It is so nice just to be out on the water soaking in the beauty of the Salish Sea.
If you’re interested in booking a winter wildlife tour please don’t hesitate to contact us! With the holidays just around the corner we also offer fully customizable gift certificates so you can give the gift of experiencing the wild to your loved ones as well. There is no greater gift than an unforgettable experience!
