Springtide Whale Watching

Powering a Greener Ocean Adventure

manager — Fri, 30 May 2025 19:43:14 +0000

At SpringTide, we don’t think that experiencing whales in the wild should come at the expense of the environment and their well-being. That’s why sustainability is at the core of how we operate, not just in what we do on the water, but in how we power our vessels. One example of this commitment is our 60 ft Ocean Cruiser – Marauder IV, which is equipped with the highly efficient …

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Discover Discovery Island

manager — Wed, 28 May 2025 22:26:45 +0000

Just off the southern tip of Vancouver Island, where the city of Victoria meets the open Pacific, lies a rugged little island full of life, Discovery Island. Though uninhabited by people, this remote outcrop is a haven for wildlife, and we often cruise near its rocky shores during our whale watching tours. Nature thrives here thanks to kelp beds, sunlit rocks, and open skies. Whether you’re lucky enough to see it up close …

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Humpback Whales: A Comeback Story

manager — Mon, 26 May 2025 19:46:45 +0000

If you’ve been out on the water with us at SpringTide, you might’ve had the thrill of seeing a humpback whale rise from the deep blue. These whales are massive yet graceful and sometimes lean toward the dramatic when they breach. But what’s even more impressive than their size is the story of their return to the waters around Victoria. Only a few decades ago, humpbacks were nearly completely gone from our …

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Killer Whales 101

manager — Sun, 18 May 2025 18:08:42 +0000

We are extremely lucky here in Victoria, BC as the Salish Sea is home to a huge diversity of marine wildlife. At SpringTide, we’re fortunate to regularly encounter killer whales (orcas), one of the most intelligent and captivating marine mammals. Our local orcas are more than just stunning to see; they also tell a story of ecology, seasonality, and survival in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a closer look at the …

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Beyond the Whales

manager — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:27:06 +0000

Wildlife You Might See on Our Tours Whale watching season is nearly here (May–October), and we’re excited to welcome guests from around the world to explore the Salish Sea on one of our Whale & Wildlife Tours. While spotting whales is always our goal, we like to remind our guests that these are wild animals: sometimes they’re shy or simply out of range. But here’s the good news: there’s a whole …

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The Evolution of the Whale

manager — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 18:33:02 +0000

You might think, looking at a whale, that their closest living relative was some kind of fish. This would be a fair conclusion: they both live in water, and have many similar adaptations to aid this, after all. However, as air-breathing mammals, whales actually separated from fish in the animal family tree some 450 million years ago – any similarities between them now are likely the result of pure coincidence …

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How Long Can a Whale Hold its Breath?

SpringTide Staff Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:28:38 +0000

How long can a whale hold its breath? Who holds the record? A Cuvier’s Beaked Whale holds the current record for the longest dive standing at a whopping 138 minute long dive. This was recorded back in 2014 and broke the record for diving mammals. That’s the equivalent of holding your breath while watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens… This takes them down about 2000 meters below the waters surface. …

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Snot Bot- it’s as gross as it sounds but it’s science!!

Graham Powell — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:19:46 +0000

Snot, yepp snot that thing that kids seem to be obsessed with- it’s actually helpful. Scientists have developed an ingenious way to gather biological samples without harming or interfering with whale’s daily lives by using a drone. It’s also cheaper in the long run (assuming the drone doesn’t loose signal and fall into the water…) and safer for the whales as well as the scientists. The data collected will help …

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Why Do Whales Jump?

SpringTide Staff Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:55:53 +0000

A common and inquisitive question that is often asked aboard our tours. Of course to get the true answer we would have to ask the whales themselves. Unfortunately they were unavailable for comment so we had to make do with the latest scientific research. It’s an amazing site to be seen, these animals showcasing the true extent of their size. However, it is not quite as common as aquarium shows …

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When is the Best Time to See Whales in Victoria, BC?

manager — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:52:28 +0000

This is one of the questions we get asked most often. The short answer: there isn’t one! Or, at least, the best time depends on a variety of factors that are your own personal preference. For example: what types of whales would you most like to see? What is your availability? What temperature or time of year you are most comfortable in? Any combination of these questions can influence what …

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SpringTide Ranked as a Top North American Ethical Whale Watching Company

Graham Powell — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 20:18:57 +0000

We are elated to announce that USA Today has ranked us as one of the top 5 most ethical whale watching companies in North America. Here’s what the wonderful people at @victoria_city_canada had to say about this honour, From industrial pollution to ocean noise and climate change, humans have pushed several whale species dangerously close to extinction. So, when responsible whale-watching companies like Springtide prioritize conservation and education, it’s a …

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How Do Whales Communicate?

SpringTide Staff Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 17:17:09 +0000

The typical noises whales will make to communicate can consist of clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls. Whales communicate using a myriad of noises to socialize with the other whales. The method of communication depends on the species of whale and what purpose they are making the sound for. Whales are incredibly social and intelligent mammals that rely on their vocalization skills to communicate with family members or other whales within …

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