Whale Watching in Victoria BC

The southern resident killer whales of British Columbia visit the inland waters near Victoria in the spring, summer and autumn to feed on salmon - one of their favourite prey items. Killer whales spend a lot of time feeding; it takes a lot of fish to feed a five ton female killer whale and her entire family (males are estimated to weigh up to 10 tons). When feeding they often take three or four breaths at the surface then disappear underwater for about five minutes (which feels a lot longer when you are waiting patiently at the surface). However, the dive times can vary up to nearly 10 minutes! This is simply amazing when you consider that they are not breathing that entire time, yet are active chasing and catching fish.

Transients do not associate with resident (fish eating) killer whales

The transient killer whales are a genetically separate community of killer whales that live some of their lives in British Columbia. We are very lucky in southern BC, as we get the opportunity to view both types (residents and transients) on our whale watching excursions from Victoria - though often not on the same trip! The transient killer whale community is currently considered a distinct eco-type of killer whale that specializes on eating warm-blooded prey. Their diet includes all other marine mammals (excluding other killer whales) and occasionally birds.

There are two types of Sea Lions that are quite prevalent in the southern Vancouver Island area. The California, and the Steller. The Steller is the largest of the Sea Lions, it can weigh upwards of 450kg (1000lb) and can be "the size of a large black bear, Stellers tend to be a tan color whereas the California Sea Lion is a more chocolate-brown. The most pronounced feature that separates them is the high forehead of the California, which can't be mistaken.

Victoria is Western Canada's oldest city. The City began in 1843 as a Hudson Bay Company trading post, named in honour of Queen Victoria.