The
ocean waters off the shores of Northern British Columbia
are teeming with marine wildlife and lie on the major feeding
and migrating routes of several species of whales.
Dictating
what your whale-watching trip will bring, depends on the
time of year . . . you might spot orcas,
humpbacks,
grays
and minkes, as they all ply this ocean area. July to
October is the time for humpbacks that stay around to feed
on the spawning herring. Gray whales on their northward
and southward migration swim Hectate Strait between the
Queen Charlotte Islands and the northern BC shoreline. This
area is one of the best places to see large concentrations
of these magnificent creatures. Anytime from May to early
July is the time to view orcas as they feed and play.
Other
marine wildlife in northern BC that will add to your sight
seeing trip includes porpoises and white-sided
dolphins. On the rocky shores and numerous small
islands, seals and sea lions can be seen sunning themselves,
while bald eagles soar high above and swoop down to catch
fish.
The
harbour city of Prince
Rupert serves as the hub of the region and is busy
with large ocean freighters, ferries, fishing trawlers,
cruise ships, small pleasure crafts, fish boats and charters
as they come and go. Prince Rupert is the homeport to a
number of whale watching charters that sail between the
mainland and the Queen
Charlotte Islands. These knowledgeable staffed charters
supply the experience to make your whale watching a memorable
trip.
