where to see seals on vancouver island

We have reviews of the best places to see in Vancouver Island. Follow us for updates! There are plenty of campgrounds dotted around the Saanich Inlet (just north of Victoria) where you can sleep in nature and still have quick and easy access to all the amenities of British Columbia’s capital city. A woman feeds seals at Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria, B.C. This is an accessible year-round adventure for all capable swimmers in your family aged 12 and over! There are multiple pods of resident Orcas in these waters, and humpback and grey whales are also a common sight, as are dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea otters and sea lions. Whale watching requires little introduction, as British Columbia is well known as the place on earth to watch migrating and resident whales feeding, breaching or spy-hopping. In rivers and estuaries, where the water may be murky and impair vision, harbour seals rely on their long whiskers to search for prey. Seals. Group outings in comfortable cabin cruisers depart in search of orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, Steller sea lions, Minke whales and harbour seals. Elephant Seals Around Southern Vancouver Island : 1990. Spend a few exciting hours snorkeling with up to 250 harbour seals that reside at Snake Island in beautiful Nanaimo! If you’re wandering around the seawall in Stanley Park or spending time near in Granville Island, chances are there is a seal nearby.Keep your eyes peeled for … You may also see seals, sea lions, sea otters and bears alogn the beaches. Black bears are remarkable roadside attractions along Highway 19 during the spring and summer and can be spotted fishing for salmon in local rivers in the fall. There are plenty of black bears on Vancouver Island, even relatively close to Victoria (especially on the west coast of the island). This period comes in late spring and summer. The Colony of Vancouver Island, officially known as the Island of Vancouver and its Dependencies, was a Crown colony of British North America from 1849 to 1866, after which it was united with the mainland to form the Colony of British Columbia.The united colony joined Canadian Confederation, thus becoming part of Canada, in 1871.The colony comprised Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands of … ... Day 7: Travel Quadra Island to Vancouver. If you can draw yourself away from orca watching, a trip to Vancouver Island is the perfect opportunity to spot black bears in the wild. On Vancouver Island, we’re always talking about exploring, seeing, doing, and experiencing. From Sidney drive to world-renowned Butchart Gardens. After a short plane and boat ride, jump into the water, snorkel gear firmly affixed to your head, and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This sediment creates nutrient-rich waters supporting a huge diversity of life. There are over 100,000 seals along the B.C. The phenomenon of salmon spawning draws You can see a variety of whales, but the tour focuses on orcas. Granville Island has a lot of boat traffic, so it wouldn't be the first place I'd necessarily go. Just wander around the seawall around Stanley Park and keep your eye out on the water for black shiny heads that look like dogs. The greatest time to see whole families is when the pups are born. Official Site of Vancouver Island Seals, BC Female Midget AAA Hockey team. Giants roam on Vancouver Island North and remote sections of neighboring mainland coast. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Orca mostly seen in the Victoria and north island areas are fish eating orcas that often congregate in the dozens (I … This 4.5-hour excursion takes you right into the water with the plump pinnipeds. It’s sure to be the highlight of your Vancouver Island wilderness experience. Tours are 90 mins in length and depart hourly from Granville Island. They do spend several weeks at sea, but they also like to lie on the rocky shorelines warming up and resting. 38 talking about this. In 2013, four headless sea lions were found on Vancouver Island beaches. Vancouver Island. Elephant Seals occur fairly frequently on -the B.C. You can … Slip into a wet suit and strap on some snorkel gear for a dip in the sea. coast, but few people recognize them when they do see them. The “dogs of the sea” are a common sight in Vancouver and are most often seen near popular fishing areas. Take photographs of humpback whales who have made a huge recovery since whaling ended at Vancouver's coast and are now a regular sight in the summer and fall. coastline, especially Sunshine Coastline and Sunset Beach. Just a short distance off the east coast of Vancouver Island is the smaller Quadra Island, part of a chain known as the Discovery Islands. A Vancouver Island Road Trip of Crisp Wines and Gigantic Trees On southern Vancouver Island, among some of the world's most ancient forests, Jayme Moye … Canada is one big adventure playground with boundless possibilities for outdoor activities and adventure. By Robin W. Baird. Vancouver Island is one of the best locations worldwide to spot orcas (killer whales). Posted on Sunday,July 15, 1990 by Garry Fletcher. Vancouver is situated on the banks of the Fraser River and its large estuary, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. It's also a great area for humpback whale sightings. Now you can! We went to oak Bay marina to see seals but when we got there people told us that they don't come around as often because it's not legal to feed wildlife anymore in Canada. By midsummer Blackney Pass is sea mammal central! It is the largest island on the west coasts of the Americas. Harbour seals have large black eyes that are coated with oily tears, which allow them to open their eyes and see in deep, dark waters. Once Snake Island came into view, we could see the seals resting on the rocks, with a narrow sheltered channel which was like their own private swimming pool and playground. Set off in your motor boat which can reach a speed of 80 kilometres per hour. I’ve always loved to go hiking and cycling but these days I must admit to being a little more cautious about doing anything too extreme, preferring to leave the crazy stuff to my grown-up kids! These rich waters abound with orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, dolphins and seals – not to mention otters, porpoises, eagles, and birds of prey. In 2014, at least 12 headless seal carcasses were found on the banks of the St. Lawrence in Quebec. A common attraction for many of these species (and that includes us) … The best time for whale watching around Vancouver Island is between April and October. It also means, unlike whale watching tours on the west side of Vancouver Island, the waters here in the Strait of Georgia, in this approximately 60-kilometer-wide stretch between Nanaimo and Vancouver, are usually relatively calm. Orcas and humpback whale sightings are almost guaranteed during that period. I think your best bet if you want to see bears in the wild is a tour out of Tofino. Answer 1 of 6: I'm visiting Victoria for the first time. The May to October season is also primetime for nautical trips from Northern Vancouver Island to the mainland’s grizzly bear habitats Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is eyeing a ban on feeding the marine mammals, a … The viewing of wildlife on and around Vancouver Island and the Gulf and Discovery Islands of BC offers something for all nature lovers. Along the way you’ll enjoy the sights of Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, the North Shore, English Bay, False Creek and Stanley park. You may see transient and resident orcas (killer whales), grey whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and other marine life. Originating in the Rocky Mountains, it is the largest river in British Columbia bringing 20 million tons of sediment to the ocean each year. You can usually see harbour seals by wandering around the seawall around English Bay and Stanley Park. Our Snorkel and Kayak Adventure is a true West Coast experience just minutes from Vancouver on this exciting 5-hour excursion. Vancouver Island: Half-Day Whale and Wildlife Adventure Tour ... Get the chance to see harbor seals hauling out on beautiful rocky shoals. Kayak or stand-up paddle board in the stunning Howe Sound, then head toward the Pam Rocks seal colony for a glance at these gorgeous sea creatures. Our Facebook fans mentioned both Johnstone Strait (east side of the island) and Tofino (west side of the island… Stroll through the many themed gardens and delight in the dynamic palette of colours and fragrances. This is the largest Pacific island east of New Zealand, and the largest on the west coast of North America, so there is plenty of space to see unique species. Whale and bear sightings top everyone’s wish list. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Vancouver Island, British Columbia on Tripadvisor: See 580,590 traveller reviews and photos of Vancouver Island tourist attractions. Many people can say they’ve seen seals from the shore or aboard a boat, but rarely does anyone get the chance to interact with them. With flippers and masks on, it was time to jump from the end of the boat into the water, the bit I … The south island, around Victoria, is by far the busiest area on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Whale Watching Monthly Guide The whale watching season in Vancouver runs … The problem is that you aren't too likely to see them. Grizzly and black bears to be precise. Hop on a whale-watching boat from Vancouver or Victoria or take a tour from more remote locations on Vancouver Island or up the BC coast. Chances of seeing orcas are much less than in the Victoria or the north island areas. SNORKEL WITH THE SEALS. Your trip starts with a relaxing cruise along Vancouver’s Inner Harbour then soars up to 55 km/h as you cross through the Burrard Inlet. CTV Vancouver Island Published Friday, April 27, 2018 5:03PM PDT Signs and caution tape have been put up around a moulting elephant seal at Victoria's Gonzales Beach … Discover Vancouver by motor boat and see a seal colony! Sail along the coast until you reach a large seal colony, before making your way to False Creek. May until October is the prime time to see the southern pod of resident orcas feeding on salmon in the Gulf Islands and the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver. Nearby Vancouver Island is home to a resident pod of nearly 100 orcas and small pods of transient orcas that travel north from Baja to Alaska along the coastline. Vancouver Island is in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia.The island is 456 km (283 mi) in length, 100 km (62 mi) in width at its widest point, and 32,134 km 2 (12,407 sq mi) in area. Then watch, awestruck, as these spectacular cetaceans display their intelligence and grace. Has a lot of boat traffic, so it would n't be the highlight of your Vancouver Island seals sea! A wet suit and strap on some snorkel gear for a dip the! West coasts of the best time for whale watching season in Vancouver Island the west coasts the. See seals, sea lions were found on Vancouver Island is between and! For outdoor activities and adventure exploring, seeing, doing, and experiencing sea... And Wildlife adventure tour... Get the chance to see harbor seals hauling out on beautiful shoals! 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