Whale Watching
Ocean Ecoventures offers daily whale watching tours departing from Cowichan Bay, only 45 minute south of Nanaimo.
We offer year round whale watching and marine eco tours. On any given day between April and October, you can witness up to 89 Orca Whales frolicking in the southern Vancouver Island waterways. Observe these fascinating marine mammals in their natural habitat as you enjoy the scenic waterways of southern Vancouver Island.
While our high quality, all-inclusive Whale Watching adventure focuses on the Southern Resident Orca Whales, Transient Orca pods, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales, Minke Whales, Dall’s Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, and a variety of marine birds are also abundant in the area.
The Southern Resident Orca Whales are split into three separate groups know as “J pod”, “K pod”, and “L pod”. Orca Whales are very social animals. They live in small nuclear and extended families know as pods, clans and communities.
In addition to resident Orca Whales, Transient Orcas are sighted all year. While the Resident Orcas feed almost exclusively on the abundant salmon runs during the summer months, the Transient Orcas feed on a variety of other marine mammals including Porpoises, Dolphins, Whales, Seals, Sea Lions, and sometimes even Deer. The Resident and Transient Orca Whales do not intermingle, but coexist in the same waters.
Over the past few years, there has been a growing population of Humpback and Grey Whales in local waters.
Ocean Ecoventures is a member of a local whale spotting network, an extensive whale tracking system in B.C.’s southern Gulf Islands. This sighting network ensures excellent sighting success on a daily basis. Both Canadian and U.S. whale watching companies, as well as scientific researchers, employ the use of this valuable service.
Ocean Ecoventures provides its clients with everything needed for a comfortable and safe ocean excursion. We supply Mustang cruiser suits that ensure warmth and safety. We also provide hats, gloves and goggles for each participant. Our Whale Watching tours are 3-4 hours in duration and depart daily from our gallery and office in Cowichan Bay.
- Witness Orca Whales, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales, Minke Whales, Porpoises, Bald Eagles and Sea Lions
- Experience the world-renowned Gulf Islands of coastal British Columbia
- Relax as your captain guides you through a marine adventure of a lifetime
- Hydrophone on board to hear the Whales
- Marine Naturalist on every trip
- Guaranteed Sightings
- Committed to responsible Whale Watching and Wildlife Viewing
- Member of the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest
- Yearly Contributions to local marine conservation and research groups
