North Island Whale watching, prepare to get wet.
Apr 25 '01
The Bottom Line I recommend anyone who is planning on a vacation in BC to get off the beaten path and take one of the many whale-watching tours available.
The first time I saw a whale rise from beneath the waves--and I saw just how big it was--I was thrilled. It was a gray whale, near Port Hardy, B.C. Since then, I have been an avid whale watcher. Luckily, I have my own personal charter boat captain. (Hubby)
I am lucky to live in an area that has an abundance of marine mammals. Dall's Porpoises. These cousins to the dolphin are small, very fast, and like their relatives they love to play with the bow waves of passing boats. Gray whales, Humpbacks, Mink whales, (Very shy, have only seen one.) Sea lions and of course Harbor seals, but the star of the show, is the Killer whale.
On the North Island, Port McNeill and Telegraph Cove are the most popular places to contract a Whale watching tour. (But you can also charter boats from Port Hardy for scenic trips. You are bound to see something of interest.) With a wide range of boats to take guests out for an afternoon trip ranging from 2-3 hours. Both these places are within 30 minutes of Port Hardy, where you might be planning on taking the Ferry up the Inside Passage. Hint: If you are planning on spending a couple extra days, to take in a tour before heading north, book ahead. All hotels and B&B's get booked due to ferry schedule.
The whale-watching season starts mid May running to about mid October.
Whale Facts
The whales your more apt to see on your tour will be resident or transient. Residents have their established territory. Their movements can be predicted with a fair amount of accuracy (of course food is always a factor.) Their main food source is salmon. Transients on the other hand, have no set territory or pattern. Their main food source is whales, dolphins, seals and salmon.
Scientists have learned that each pod has their own language and are able to distinguish them apart just by their distinctive fins and white markings back of it, called a saddle.
What you need to take.
The price we pay for this beauty, is rain. I guess it's Mother Nature's way of keeping hordes of people from living here. So, be prepared to get wet. Also, for those that live in places like Arizona, you might want to bring some warmer clothes. Although the North Island does not get very cold, even our winters are very mild, with little or no snow, the air here is damp and when you go out on the water the wind can be very cold.
One summer I worked at a marina. It was very hot, at least for us North Islanders. An elderly couple from Arizona came in shivering. The woman clutched her coat around her and bought two fleece jackets for her husband and herself. I'm wiping the sweat off my brow and this lady was freezing to death. I point this out, just so you understand that your body is acclimated to where you live. So, keep it in mind when traveling.
Links
Note. I add links to my opinions, but I am in no way affiliated with any of them. They are urls I found that I think are related to the topic. To help you delve further if interested.
Links to many of the amenities Port Hardy has to offer.
http://www.ohwy.com/bc/p/porthard.htm
North Vancouver Island Whale watching. (This url has several related links.)
http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/whales/northvan.htm
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d_lee
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Member: D Lee
Location: B.C Canada
Reviews written: 7
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I am living proof that one should never stop chasing their dreams.
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