Whale Watching VancouverWild Whales
Description
Wild Whales Vancouver, Granville Island's oldest and most renowned whale-watching company, is the ultimate destination for an extraordinary whale-watching experience. With a deep-rooted focus on marine conservation, Wild Whales has been a pioneer in the industry since its establishment in 2003. Regardless of the kind of adventurer you are, Wild Whales promises to provide exceptional experiences that allow you to observe and learn about the diverse wildlife of the Pacific Coast in their natural habitat.
Prepare to embark on a journey where every tour is an exciting and unpredictable adventure. The wildlife species they seek are entirely at the mercy of Mother Nature, making each outing a unique opportunity to witness the wonders of the ocean.
Bring your sense of adventure and be ready to be amazed! Whether it's the weather, wildlife encounters, or sea state, they aim to create a fun and safe experience that will leave you with cherished memories for years to come.
BOAT OPTIONS
Each vessel type appeals to a different kind of adventurer!
- Their semi-covered vessel (Jing Yu) is the only boat that offers any shelter. The cabin is bordered by large windows but there is still some unenclosed, outdoor viewing opportunities at the bow and stern of the vessel. Since the tours can last up to 5 hours, you may be interested in some protection from the sun, wind, rain, sea spray, or whatever other elements you may experience on the day of your tour. This vessel is recommended for families with children under the age 6.
- The Zodiac is the most adventurous option and has the highest risk of sea spray. It is slightly more expensive, but despite this it is the most popular option. The zodiac offers our most intimate tour and guests will have the opportunity to view wildlife from right along the water line! Unlike your typical zodiac, Aurora I and Aurora II have shock absorbing seats with suspension in order to keep you comfortable and safe. This vessel is suitable to all ages above 8 years old.
- The open-air experience (called Eagle Eyes) provides unobstructed views while offering a smoother, more spacious ride than our zodiacs. All ages above 5 years old are welcome on this adventure!
WHAT KIND OF WHALES WILL YOU SEE?
About 80% of their whale sightings are orca, and 40% are humpback whales. There is a 20% overlap from the days they are fortunate enough to see both species on the same tour! Less often they see minke whales and grey whales.
While en route to whales, or during search for nearby pods, they will stop and take a look for whatever wildlife the day has to offer! Every day is different and they can never promise any particular species. However, they often see harbour seals, Steller and/or California sea lions, Dall’s and/or harbour porpoise, river otters, sea stars, jellyfish, and jumping salmon among other marine species.
There is a long list of marine bird species that they see regularly on their tours including bald eagles, great blue herons, rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, common murres, and oyster catchers. Less often they see dolphins, goats, osprey, and/or deer. Once they saw a bear on a nearby island! It is incredibly rare that we don’t come across any wildlife on a tour, and when that happens there is still plenty of jaw-dropping vistas to marvel at!
WHALE WATCHING GUARANTEE
They have a very high success rate! Typically they see whales on around 95-97% of their tours. If you are part of the small percentage that are unlucky and don’t see whales on your trip, you will be invited to come again for free at a future date. You will receive a non-transferable voucher with no expiration date.
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