Has anyone been to Tofino/Vancouver Islands to do Orca Whale trip? Any recommendations for outfitter and best dates to actually see whales?
Not an expert, but been in the Vancouver Island area a few times over the years and have seen orcas once and gray whales in that area once. Seen lots of other whales down where I live in California and in other areas when I travel, and do take many opportunities to see them (so track news on whales). Here is my understanding.
Tofino doesn’t come to mind as a place to see orcas. Summer months and early fall, there likely would be humpback whales in the area. Humpbacks do also go into Salish sea, but I think there are higher quantities off of Tofino. They go with the food, so depends on what food (off shore after krill vs. chasing baitfish closer to shore) as to where they will be.
December and March-May, possible to see commuting gray whales (going South in December, and north in May). Then during summer, a small number stop along the shore and stay for the summer, so might be viewable (this is what I saw off of Victoria). Some gray whales stay outside Vancouver Island, and some take the inside passage. Hit and miss that you may see, but you can increase odds in spring if you head toward a bay off of Bellingham, WA to see if you can find the “sounders”.
Orcas - there are 3 types - resident, Biggs/transient, and offshore.
When most people think of Orcas and Vancouver Island, they are probably thinking of the residents, or fish eaters. These have a small population (around 74 in total) - likely not enough to be sustaining. Called residents in that people think they are usually around the area between Victoria and Seattle, and they are there a lot, but they do also travel (even as far south as California) looking for food.
In my mind, best bet to see them is to get on a whale watch boat in Victoria or Nanaimo. As you get closer to your trip time, you can see where they (and other whales) have been by looking at this site: General 1 — Orca Network. Also keep in mind that these whales have special protections in the Salish Sea - you can’t approach in any vessel (including kayak) within 400 meters - this is quite far. These whales may go to Tofino, and if so, the protections are not as onerous as you can approach to 200 meters (still rather far). Standard practice is to try to position yourself well ahead of where they are going outside the distance, stop moving, and hope they swim toward you.
The second type of whales are Biggs or transients, which eat mammals. Not as much seasonality or places to expect to see them, as far as I know, but they are around and can be seen from time to time pretty much any places with seals and sea lions. Less than a week ago, some even made a rare appearance in downtown Vancouver: https://youtu.be/w2iZfVsvrK4?si=d8b5213-TMdei2UZ.
Note - the transients are not endangered, but because no one can easily tell the difference between the endangered residents and others, the required distances from orcas apply to all orcas. 400 meters in Salish sea and 200 meters elsewhere. Washington state has similar protections.
The last type of orcas are the offshore, and not much is know of these beyond that they eat sharks and rays. Not even sure if they are in that area at all.
Fin and minke whales are also seen in the area. I don’t know enough of them up there to have any advice.
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Nice post by Peter. Thanks.
The other easy to access place is Lime Kiln Point off the west coast of San Juan Island in Washington. I have seen them there a couple of times from my Dad’s power boat.
If it’s Orcas you want to see then you would have better luck going out of Telegraph Cove or Port McNeil, both on east side of Vancouver Island. If this link below works it will give you lots of information.
If you are set on Tofino as your destination you may not see Orcas, but you would still have an amazing time on a whale watch tour out of there. The beauty and wildness of that area is unbelievable.
Which ever side of Vancouver Island you visit you will not be disappointed.
Lila
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