Whale Watching


Pod of Orca near Alder Bay   Magnificent Humpback breach!   Transient Orca near Blackfish Sound

Alder Bay Adventures, in partnership with SeaSmoke Whale Watching, offers exciting whale watching excursions departing daily from Alder Bay at 8am, 12pm and 4:15 between June 8th and September 28th. This area has some of the best viewing opportunities for both Orca and Humpback on the planet right at our door step.

Led by passionate, knowledgeable and very experienced guides, your 3-3.5 hour excursion will depart Alder Bay at either 8am or 12pm or 4:15pm aboard our covered vessel and head out into the famed waters of Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound in search of Orca, Humpback, Stellar Sea Lions, Pacific White Side Dolphins, Dall's Porpoises and a host of other marine wildlife. Travel distances to the prime viewing grounds are not typically long as we are located in close proximity to the foraging grounds of all species. 

Aboard each vessel will be a hydrophone and if conditions permit we will deploy the device to listen in on whale vocalizations which is always an added sensory highlight! 

Sightings of Humpback Whales are quite typical throughout our season as these animals have made their way back in numbers from the winter mating/calving season in Hawaii to their feeding grounds not far from Alder Bay.

Orca sightings can be either of the 'Resident's or the 'Transients', now more commonly called Bigg's Orcas. The prime distinction between Residents and Biggs is their primary food source. The Residents are the 'salmon eaters' and go after the schools of returning salmon, mainly Chinook. The Bigg's Orcas food source is other marine mammals including seals, sea lions, dolphins and potentially other species of whales. The number of Bigg's Orcas is increasing in our local area as their prey abundance has increased dramatically. 

Sightings of Orca are less common in May, June and early July. If we do see Orca at these times, it is typically of Bigg's Orcas. The Resident Orcas tend to become resident again in our local waters each year beginning about mid July although this can change from year to year. 

Daily Departures between June 8th and September 28th
Cost: $139/adult(13+) + GST and $109/children (4-12) + GST
Departs Alder Bay at 8am, 12pm and 4:15pm daily
Each departure is approximately 3-3.5 hours in length


Includes:
  • Floatation suits
  • Transport Canada Marine Safety certified vessel and crew
  • Local conservation fee
  • washroom on board
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