If you are NOT a paddler, and wish to experience the ocean and island archipelago off Victoria, then our half day and day motorized Whaling Canoe tours to the Gulf Islands may well interest you. These naturalist -guided marine wildlife tours provide the option of hiking and picnicking as well as whale watching. Our most popular excursion is to Discovery Island, one of the most wild and beautiful of all our West Coast marine parks off the coasts of Vancouver Island. It is conveniantly located close to Victoria.

Our tours to the Discovery Islands will suit persons of all ages and physical abilities. For more details, Click on the tours listed below:

1) SEAL ISLANDS ECO-TOUR -3 hours
Just 15 minutes from downtown Victoria, across from the sailing port of Oak Bay lie a chain of islands whose marine waters are home to many sea birds, harbour seals, river otters and eagles. Often, Killer Whales and dolphins are sighted in Juan de Fuca and Harrow straits adjacent.  Our shallow draft Whaling Canoe enables us to intimately explore the kelp beds, reefs and shorelines of the wildlife refuges which are to be found here. Our destination is the Chain,  Chatham and Discovery Islands, noted for their beauty and relative isolation from the mainland adjacent.

The two marine ecological reserves we visit are noted for their seal and cormorant sea bird colonies.  Bald Eagles are nearly always sighted. Our naturalist will let you taste the kelp which grows so profusely around these islands . He will also provide you with fascinating insights on the importance and many uses of this giant species of algae, and its symbiotic relationship with the sea otter. Another highlight of our guided tour is to go ashore by raft to hike the log-strewn beaches and wind-sculpted forests of Discovery Island Marine Park.

We picnic on one of the many secluded beaches overlooking Juan de Fuca Strait.. The hill adjacent Discovery Lighthouse affords a panoramic view of the Gulf and San Juan Islands. The picture above illustrates some of the drift wood and challenging beach hikes to be found on this island. Refer to Map below.

2) DISCOVERY ISLANDS ECO-TOUR - 6 hours. This day tour is similar to the above except that there is now time to explore more of the many beaches and forest trails on this Island. You will also have time to be on your own if you wish. Note: Salmon barbecues and/or whale watching can also be incorporated in this day tour.

3) THE WHALE WATCHING & ISLANDS EXPLORATION TOUR (7 hours) features the services of another whale watching vessel, which drops you off at Discovery Island at noon for lunch, followed by a hike of the island as described above. This is a circular tour, departing from the Inner Harbour and returning via Oak Bay (in the Whaling Canoe). For details on our whale watching vessel, and THIS TOUR Click!

Map showing the Discovery/Chatham Islands cruising area
(Tours 1, 2 & 3)

4) RACE ROCKS SEA LIONS ENCOUNTER -5 hours
Large colonies of California and Steller sea lions are to be found here. These marine mammals, some ofwhich attain weights of up to 2500 pounds, are so inquisitive and playful you may be splashed by their antics. These kelp strewn waters are noted for their boiling ocean currents and rich diversity of marine life. Often there are Killer Whales in the vicinity.

We stop for a picnic lunch at the quaint fishing marina of Pedder Bay. There is an opportunity at the head of this picturesque fjord to feed wild seals and river otter, and enjoy the view from a hillside overlooking this tranquil harbour.
Note: Tour is only available for group charters of up to 12 pas. and is conducted during spring and fall months only when these mammals come up in large numbers from Baha, California.

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