Victoria BC Whale Watching: Not Just Orcas
Victoria BC whale watching trips are best known for their orca sightings, but passengers can also see other species of whales. Famous for the magical songs, humpback whales are located along the world’s coastlines, including British Columbia’s. In Washington and southern BC, there are an estimated 200 to 400 humpback whales. Sightings are fairly common, and it’s also possible to see minke, fin and gray whales.
Gray whales can grow up to 40 metres long, and have a dorsal hump instead of a dorsal fin. They live only in the Pacific Ocean, as the Atlantic population is extinct. Gray whales have the longest migration of any species, traveling thousands of miles annually from Mexico to Alaska. Some whales spend the summer in British Columbia instead of going all the way to Alaska. Victoria BC whale watching companies have noticed that it’s rare to see more than one gray whale at a time, and that they rarely fluke.
Minke whales are found in every ocean, but only a few hundred are thought to live along the coast of British Columbia. They’ve been observed in small numbers in the Juan de Fuca Strait and Strait of Georgia, mainly between March and November. During their annual migrations, Minkes are often accompanied by their primary predator, transient killer whales. These killer whales are superior sprinters, so the Minke’s only hope is to reach open water, where their high endurance allows them to flee their predators. If a Minke is caught in a harbour or bay, they are often unable to escape death, and have been known to beach themselves as a last resort.
Fin whales can grow to a maximum of 22 metres, making them the second largest living mammal, after blue whales. They’re found throughout the world’s oceans, but are most common in temperate, pelagic waters. Fin whales are characterized by their streamlined appearance and the distinct ridge on their back behind the dorsal fin. Until the 1970′s, fin whales were heavily targeted by whaling ships. Today, they are recognized in Canada as a threatened aquatic species and are not commonly seen on Victoria BC whale watching tours.
Along with whales, passengers may also see Dalls porpoises, Harbour porpoises, Harbour seals, Elephant seals, otters and marine birds such as cormorants and eagles. British Columbia’s diverse wildlife makes for a spectacular Victoria BC whale watching adventure.
Victoria BC whale watching tours are legendary for their orca sightings, but passengers also encounter other types of marine life. To find out more about what you’ll see while Victoria whale watching, read this fascinating article.
