Vancouver Island Whale Watch

Vancouver Island Whale Watch Sustainable whale watching from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, BC. Focusing on Bigg's orca and Humpbacks Join us today for an unforgettable experience with whales!
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Located in the heart of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo’s waters are home to orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, porpoises, and so much more. We provide sustainable whale watching; we acknowledge that whale watching is a growing industry and we provide tours that give our guests the chance to see these incredible wild animals all the while keeping the animals' well-being as a top priority.

We keep a small fleet and prioritize seeing the transient (Bigg's) orca and humpback whales while completely avoiding the endangered southern resident orca. The local resident orca population is endangered and we would like to reduce as much human pressure on this group as possible. However, the transient orca (marine mammal hunters) and humpback whale populations are both thriving in this area and are just as exquisite to watch! Have you ever seen a humpback whale's massive fluke sink beneath the waves, or a family of orca in a suspenseful hunt? This is all happening right outside Nanaimo and we want you to see it.

09/01/2026

What do we see in the fall? 🍂

Here's a little taste!

Enjoy these clips taken by Jordan Robinson, Hayleigh Hibert, Aly Kohlman, Cheyenne Brewster, Vanessa Vereschahen and Val Watson.

08/03/2026

Summer on the Salish Sea is full of life! What can you see on the Salish Sea in August? 🐋🐦‍⬛

Enjoy these clips taken by Vanessa Vereschahen, Hayleigh Hiebert, Aly Kohlman, Jordan Robinson, Val Watson and Aly Kohlman.

Just look at those teeth! 🦷🐋Did you know that an orca’s teeth can tell us a lot about what they eat? Different ecotypes ...
07/28/2026

Just look at those teeth! 🦷🐋

Did you know that an orca’s teeth can tell us a lot about what they eat? Different ecotypes of orca have differently shaped and worn teeth, all thanks to their specialized diets over a lifetime of feeding.

🔹 Bigg’s (Transient) Orca
These mammal-hunting orcas prey on seals, sea lions, porpoises, and even other whales. Tugging through thick skin, blubber, and bone gradually wears down the tips of their teeth, giving them a more rounded appearance over time. The whale pictured here, T086A1B Denali, belongs to this ecotype.

🐟 Resident Orca
Residents specialize in fish, especially salmon. Because fish are soft-bodied prey, their teeth experience less wear on the tips. Instead, the teeth tend to wear more along the sides where they rub against each other while grasping slippery fish.

🦈 Offshore Orca
Perhaps the most dramatic dental wear is seen in the Offshore ecotype, which feeds heavily on sharks. Shark skin is covered in tiny tooth-like scales called denticles, giving it a sandpaper-like texture. Over decades, this rough skin can grind an orca’s teeth down until they become short and blunt!

Every set of teeth tells a story, and for orcas, it’s the story of what’s on the menu. 🌊

📸: Aly Kohlman

07/25/2026

It's pupping season for the Harbour Seals! 🦭

With all the new furry faces around, it's no surprise that there are more fights breaking out at the haul-out!

📽️ Vanessa Vereschahen.

07/24/2026

It's time!! 🕰️

Whales may be the stars of the show, but they're not the only wildlife stealing the spotlight! 🐋✨Meet the Cliff Swallows...
07/24/2026

Whales may be the stars of the show, but they're not the only wildlife stealing the spotlight! 🐋✨

Meet the Cliff Swallows! These tiny architects build their homes one mud pellet at a time. Flying back and forth from nearby water sources, they carefully collect mud and shape it into the gourd-shaped nests you see clinging to cliffs and rocky ledges. Once construction is complete, they line the inside with grasses and other soft materials to create a cozy nursery for their chicks.

In this fantastic photo, captured by Marine Naturalist Val Watson, one swallow is making a quick landing at its nest while two neighbours keep watch nearby. Talk about a busy neighbourhood! 🐦🏠

Keep your eyes open on your next tour: you never know what incredible wildlife you'll spot in the Salish Sea.

#🐦

07/17/2026

What time is it? 🐳

We are happy to be sharing some great news! Starry Knight, the young humpback who was entangled twice in a month in 2025...
07/16/2026

We are happy to be sharing some great news!

Starry Knight, the young humpback who was entangled twice in a month in 2025, has returned to the Salish Sea!

We confirmed the return of Starry Knight during our July 14th tour and took more photos showing the healed entanglement scars on July 15th.

Seeing this whale having survived so much over the past year is truly a testament to how resilient these animals are.

Hopefully, we will continue to see Starry Knight over the season!

Thanks to Marine Naturalists Jordan Robinson, Hayleigh Hilbert, and Evan Hessels for capturing the photos confirming Starry Knight's return.

07/15/2026

Humpday Facts! 🐳

Let's explore the most common markings on humpback whale tails that can help us identify them.

Thanks to Marine Naturalists Val Watson, Vanessa Vereschahen, Aly Kohlman, Desarae Poier, Hayleigh Hilbert, and Jordan Robinson for capturing the images and photos used!

At first glance, an orca might look simple: black and white.Look a little closer, and you'll discover that no two are al...
07/14/2026

At first glance, an orca might look simple: black and white.

Look a little closer, and you'll discover that no two are alike.

Each whale has a unique dorsal fin, saddle patch, and eye patch that allows researchers and whale watchers to identify individuals without ever needing to tag or disturb them.

That means when we recognize a whale on the water, we're not just seeing an orca; we're seeing an individual with a name, a family, and a life story documented over decades.

On World Orca Day, we're celebrating every calf, every matriarch, every family, and every unforgettable encounter that reminds us why these incredible animals deserve our respect and protection.

Happy World Orca Day from all of us at Vancouver Island Whale Watch! 🐋

📸: Val Watson

Address

5-90 Front Street
Nanaimo, BC
V9R5H7

Telephone

+12506675177

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