Experience Whale Watching in conjunction with our kayaking adventures - or with our benteau sailboat.

TYPES OF WHALES: The waters around Victoria are home to many varieties of whales and the success ratio of seeing them is extremely high (over 75%) during the summer months. Resident Killer Whales (Orcas) are among the more plentiful, numbering some 80 whales in three pods.

In addition there are substantial numbers of the more elusive 'Transients' -  a species of Killer Whales who difference is primarily that of language and diet. For example, Transients hunt only mammalian prey such as seals and sea lions - as opposed to salmon and other fish pursued by Resident Whales. Another major difference is that Transient Killer Whales by virtue of their land-based prey,  can usually be seen near shorelines and hunting in smaller packs seldom exceeding 4.

Both types of orcas are distinguished by their huge dorsal fins, some protruding as much as 2 meters (6 feet) above the water.

Our pacific coast is also home to Minke, Gray, and Humpback whales. While not as common and as 'showy' as our orcas, they are nevertheless just as impressive. These whales can be found most any time of the year- as contrasted by orcas who disappear mysteriously during the late fall and return in the early spring.

OTHER MARINE LIFE: And of course, there are lots of seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises to be seen, as well as a wide range of sea birds, and raptors such as ospreys and eagles .

SEA LIONS: We have two species of sea lions on our coasts: the brown coloured Stelars and the black California sea lions. The Stellar sea lions are by far the larger, weighing more than 1,000 kg (2000 + pounds) - more than twice that of their southern cousins. These brown levithians, both male and female can be found here year around. Only male Californian sea lions however come north to our area to winter, leaving their female counterparts to look after their young back on the breeding grounds of the Baha Peninsula.  A popular spot to view both species is at Race Rocks, just 45 minutes south of Victoria by boat.

Sea King Adventures, our partner in whale watching is described below. Our unique kayaking and Giant Canoe Combination tours are described at the bottom of this page. It should be noted that we use our high speed vessel (depicted below) only if we intend to whale watch - as these animals are too swift for kayakers to have any chance finding them, much less keeping up with them.

To go to Seaking's website, Click!