Looking for a fun adventure this winter? Somewhere you can take your family or friends? Somewhere in the fresh air that will help cure those mid-winter blahs?
Look no further than our big blue back yard—also known as the Salish Sea! Yes, we run tours throughout the winter. And why not? There’s plenty to see out there!
Now through March 14 is our popular winter wildlife viewing season. There are plenty of unforgettable viewing opportunities in and around the waters off southern Vancouver Island. You’ll be surprised at how much wildlife activity there is out there!
Guaranteed whales!
Our winter tours offer our famous Whale Guarantee—you’ll see whales or you come out with us again for free until you do! Our extended range means a better chance of finding them while you enjoy your time aboard one of our heated, semi-covered catamarans.
Along the way, we have plenty of other things to show you! Here are our top seven winter wildlife wonders…
- Bigg’s killer whales
Well yeah, who doesn’t get excited seeing these guys? We certainly do. Roughly one in three of our winter wildlife tours encounter killer whales.
There are two ecotypes of killer whale we see in the Salish Sea. They don’t hang out together, and they act and sound different. They eat from completely different menus.
Bigg’s or transient killer whales chow down on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and porpoise. They travel in small family groups and can show up anywhere, at any time of year. We’ve had many Bigg’s encounters in recent winters.
Southern resident killer whales eat fish and travel in large family groups known as pods. There are 74 whales in this critically endangered population, in three pods we call J, K and L. We don’t intentionally watch this ecotype. We focus instead on Bigg’s killer whales and other types of whales.
- Humpback whales
Humpbacks are awesome. They’re the size of a city bus—just add a tail and two very long pectoral flippers, and you get the picture.
We may see a humpback whale or two in the winter. Most humpbacks head to places like Mexico or Hawaii for the winter. Smart. Except they don’t eat there. Which is why a few of them linger in the Salish Sea as long as they can, scooping up those last few fish and krill calories before journeying south
- Porpoise
We get two types of porpoise in this region. The small and bashful “now you see me, now you don’t” harbour porpoise is a year-round resident.
The more extroverted Dall’s porpoise can also be seen any month of the year. If they’re feeling playful, these black and white speed demons will put a smile on your face, guaranteed!
- Seals and sea lions
Pudgy, doe-eyed harbour seals dot the rocks on many islands and reefs throughout this region. They’re here all year, much to our delight — and the delight of Bigg’s killer whales who see them as very tasty “rock sausages.”
In winter and early spring, hundreds of Steller sea lions and California sea lions gather at several haulout sites near Victoria. They spend their days here dozing, getting fat and bickering over rock space. It’s a tough life—although they do have to keep a watchful eye out for those hungry Bigg’s killer whales!
Massive and goofy-looking elephant seals — the largest seal in the northern hemisphere — can be seen in the Salish Sea, especially at Race Rocks. And especially in the winter, which is an important time for them. Breeding season runs from December to February. Race Rocks, a frequent stop on our tours, is a breeding area for a small number of them.
- Sea otters
What has a whiskered beaver-like face, is wrapped in the thickest fur coat in the animal kingdom and uses its chest as a dinner plate? Sea otters, of course! Although the southern Salish Sea isn’t a central part of their range, we do get occasional sea otters passing through or settling in for a while as they explore new territory.
Through our research program, we’ve photo-documented up to 10 individual sea otters in the Victoria area in recent years. And we know some of their favourite spots!
- Bird, birds, birds…
With a wingspan of more than two metres, striking yellow beak and talons, and dapper black and white plumage, an adult bald eagle is a regal sight. When they’re not at the rivers ripping apart rotting salmon (yuck), we often see them in the winter months perched atop a tall tree or rock, or plucking a fish out of the water. Or terrorizing seabirds, which don’t like getting eaten, understandably.
This region is a birder’s paradise, especially in winter when we get an A-Z assortment of feathered friends. Not literally, but you know what we mean. Auklets, cormorants, geese, grebes, herons, loons, mergansers, murres, oystercatchers, peregrine falcons, pigeon guillemots, and gulls and ducks galore.
(Psssst, hot tip: if you’re looking for a tour focusing on marine birds, check out our Specialty Bird Watching Tours for 2026!)
- The stunning view
What’s this doing on a list of wildlife, you ask? Well, don’t get so wrapped up in gawking at the animals that you forget to savour the spectacular West Coast scenery around you.
What sort of scenery? Everything from lighthouses to majestic Mt. Baker and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains to the maze of straits, channels, islands, inlets and estuaries that make up this spectacular place! A classic Salish Sea sunset finale, if weather and timing permit, is just icing on the cake!
Trust us, it’s the best-ever therapy for the winter blahs!
Book now!
Our winter wildlife viewing season runs now through March 14. We offer 12:30 p.m. departures daily until March 14, based on demand, minimum numbers and conditions. All winter tours are three hours or more.
March 15 – April 30 is our spring shoulder season with two departures daily at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours are 3.5-4 hours or more. Our summer season begins May 1.
So, layer up and come on out to meet our wild neighbours. We guarantee you’ll never look at the ocean the same way again!
Extended discount!
We offer a 20% discount for residents ofVancouver Island. Call our office so we can apply the discount to your booking; IDs verified at check-in.
To book a tour, give us a call or book online!
