Excursion agencies for seeing bears, dolphins, and orcas from Vancouver
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
FA
Hello everyone,

First of all, I hope you're all staying healthy and your loved ones too during the epidemic.

So, I need some information for a future trip (which I hope I can take soon).

My goal is to go to Vancouver and take a day trip (or two if necessary) to see bears, dolphins, and orcas.

Here are my questions:

- What’s the best time of year to maximize my chances of seeing all three species? - Which town or village should I head to for the best chances? - How much time should I plan to spend there?

Are there any excursion companies departing from Vancouver that offer this kind of tour? If so, could you recommend some names?

Thanks in advance for any tips you can share!

See you soon,
HI Hiacinthe Globetrotter ·
Hello everyone,

First of all, I hope you're all staying healthy and your loved ones too during the pandemic.

So, I need some information for a future trip (which I hope I can take soon).

Hi Laurent,

Given the current situation, I’m not sure if this trip will be possible this year.

My goal is to go to Vancouver and take a 1-day (or 2-day if necessary) excursion to see bears, dolphins, and orcas.

We saw bears in the wild during our 2010 summer trip: - in the Rockies, particularly in Wells Gray Provincial Park; - and on Vancouver Island.

To be almost certain of seeing them, Zitounet went through an agency. He was in the Rockies, between Mount Robson Provincial Park and Wells Gray Provincial Park. He talks about it in his travel journal here: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=8277098;a=8277098

On Vancouver Island, it’s also possible to see them by going through an agency. I’d read in my little *Routard* guide that bears fish for shellfish at low tide near Tofino. We went to Tofino with friends but didn’t plan this excursion (it’s done by boat). Here’s an agency that offers this excursion: https://www.tofinowhalecentre.com/bear-watching

They also offer whale watching: https://www.tofinowhalecentre.com/whalewatching For dolphins, ask them the question. I saw some in Portugal.

There are other agencies in Tofino for bear watching: https://www.oceanoutfitters.bc.ca/bear-watching https://www.jamies.com/our-tours/bear-watching

As for orcas, in my *Routard* guide, I saw that it’s more common around Victoria. https://bcwhalewatchingtours.com/

People have mentioned these sea excursions in their travel journals, but I don’t remember which ones I saw them in.

Have a great day!

Christine
Hiacinthe
WI Willemspie Globetrotter ·
Seeing a wild bear in nature in a single day is unlikely—you can read more here: https://voyageforum.com/discussion/experiences-avec-ours-en-randonnee-d10158580/
FA Fastball83 Regular ·
Hi everyone,

First of all, it’s great news that the forum is back up! 😎😎

I’m bumping this thread because my travel plans are still on, and when I first posted, I had in mind that at certain times of the year, it’s possible to see whales and orcas around Vancouver due to the salmon run... and that, as a result, you can also spot bears pretty easily along the shores and rivers.

Could anyone confirm this?

Since this discussion, I’ve been to Miami and can share some tips if anyone’s interested 😉
IV Ivert Veteran ·
I’m bumping this thread because my travel plans are still on, and when I first posted, I had in mind that at a certain time of year, it’s possible to see whales and orcas around Vancouver due to the salmon run... and that as a result, you can also spot bears pretty easily along the riverbanks and shores....

Could anyone confirm this?

I don’t quite see the connection between orcas, whales, and bears, but yes, you can see bears along the rivers during the salmon run, usually from mid-October to mid-November. I live in the unofficial black bear capital of Canada, and I see them all the time. As for salmon, this year’s run is particularly prolific—it’s smelled like a fish market for weeks!
Mon blog de voyage : http://xn--duncontinentlautre-qrb.com
FA Fastball83 Regular ·
I’m bumping this thread because my travel plans are still on, and when I first posted, I had in mind that at a certain time of year, it’s possible to see whales and orcas around Vancouver due to the salmon run... and that, as a result, you can also spot bears pretty easily along the shores and rivers.........

Could someone confirm this?

I don’t quite see the connection between orcas, whales, and bears, but yes, you can see bears along the rivers during the salmon run, usually from mid-October to mid-November. I live in the unofficial black bear capital of Canada, and I see them all the time. As for salmon, this year’s run is particularly prolific—it’s smelled like a fish market for weeks!

When you say the unofficial black bear capital... are you talking about Vancouver or another nearby city?

Could you clarify if there are orcas in the Vancouver area (and if so, when?) or if the info I was given is wrong, please?

Thanks for your valuable insights! 🙂
BL Bluelantern ·
Hi there,

I’ve never tried whale-watching excursions in the area, but I see the company "Prince of Whales" offering them all the time. They have departures from Vancouver or Victoria. There must be other companies too.

For bears, I’m not sure if there’s an option from Vancouver, but from Tofino, I remember seeing bear tours with a local Tofino company, I think. Tofino is on Vancouver Island—it’s a stunning place! You can even surf there. I just found a company called "Remote Passages" that offers bear-watching excursions from Tofino.

Happy travels!
DE Desman Veteran ·
A trip to see bears seems highly unlikely to me... You might stumble upon them while hiking in the mountains—fascinating animals, but it's best not to get too close. And when there are too many in an area, the trails get closed!

As for whales, there’s plenty to do from Tofino.
« Ne soyons plus anglais ni français ni allemands. Soyons européens. Ne soyons plus européens, soyons hommes. - Soyons l'humanité. Il nous reste à abdiquer un dernier égoïsme : la patrie. » Victor Hugo

http://www.domainofdamien.eu/GR10/index.html
IV Ivert Veteran ·
When you say the unofficial capital of black bears... are you talking about Vancouver or another nearby city?

Could you clarify if there are orcas in the Vancouver area (and if so, what time of year?) or if the info I was given is wrong, please?

I’m talking about a city in the Vancouver suburbs. In summer, I can see them every day if I want. My record is nearly 20 in just a few hours. And in my area, you can spot them year-round , even if it’s rarer in winter.

Of course there are orcas in the Strait of Georgia; you just need the luck to see them. It’s happened to me a few times while taking the ferry to Victoria or the surrounding islands.
Mon blog de voyage : http://xn--duncontinentlautre-qrb.com
IV Ivert Veteran ·
A trip to see bears seems highly unlikely to me... You sometimes come across them while hiking in the mountains—a fascinating animal, but it's best not to get too close. And when there are too many in an area, the trails get closed!

As for whales, there’s plenty to do from Tofino.

Excursions to see bears *do* exist: from Tofino, heading toward the islands further north. But it’s pretty expensive... like everything in Tofino (especially accommodation).

Black bears, if you’re used to being around them and know their behavior, aren’t very dangerous. I mean, most aren’t aggressive and just go about their business. I see dozens and dozens every year, whether in town, near my place, or in the mountains. Grizzlies, though—that’s a different story...
Mon blog de voyage : http://xn--duncontinentlautre-qrb.com
FA Fastball83 Regular ·
A big thank you for this info!

From your profile, it looks like you live in Vancouver—could you share any details you have about the different transport companies (boats, ferries, planes) that offer daily transfers between:

Vancouver-Tofino Vancouver-Victoria

Also, I read online that there’s a beach on Vancouver Island where you can spot whales, orcas, and dolphins right from the shore... If this beach exists, could you tell me its name, which town it’s in, and the best time of year to see all these marine species, please?

As for black bears, those are the ones I’d love to see—where do I have the best chance of spotting them, please?

Thanks so much for all this info! And if you ever want to visit France—especially the Lyon area or the South of France—don’t hesitate to ask for tips. I know those places really well! 😉
IV Ivert Veteran ·
To get to Victoria or Tofino, there are only two options:

- Seaplane with Harbour Air, if you really have the budget... https://harbourair.com/

- Ferry, then car, with BC Ferries: https://www.bcferries.com/ It’s a long and expensive trip to Tofino: ferry to Nanaimo, then 200 km and 3 hours of driving to Tofino.

I don’t know the beach you mentioned...

As for black bears, unless you know a specific spot where sightings are almost guaranteed (which I do, but I won’t reveal this place), you’ll need luck and to explore the thousands of hiking trails in the province. The best time to see them is mid-summer, especially when all the berries are out.

For France, thanks, but no need... I’m French and left that once-beautiful country a long time ago. I hardly ever go back.
Mon blog de voyage : http://xn--duncontinentlautre-qrb.com
FA Fastball83 Regular ·
Thanks for the info.

And in Nanaimo or the surrounding area, can we see orcas, whales, and bears, please?
PA Pastani88 ·
My record is almost 20 in just a few hours.

Wow, I hope they're at least friendly and there aren’t any accidents in the area. Otherwise, they must be magnificent.
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
Thanks for the info.

And in Nanaimo or nearby, can we see orcas, whales, and bears, please?

You need to go a bit further north than Nanaimo. I left from Port Hardy, and we saw whales and orcas north of Vancouver Island before the Inside Passage, taking the BC Ferries boat to Prince Rupert. Check out the travel journal I wrote here

Similar discussions

You might also like