One of the best places on the planet to observe killer whales in the wild

About the fascinating behaviours and communication of killer whales

LearnOrcas, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions

EncounterThe incredibly rich ecosystem of this wildlife hotspot

Discover

6-days sailing with the spectacular marine mammal populations of Northern Vancouver Island

British Columbia’sJohnstone Strait & Blackfish Sound

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Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound are world-famous for the killer whale (orca) populations that inhabit these waters. Each year, large numbers of killer whales congregate in this region to feed on migrating wild Pacific salmon and abundant populations of seals, dolphins and porpoises.

Whales By Sails

Johnstone Strait & Blackfish Sound

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Telegraph Cove

Sointula

Port Hardy

VANCOUVER ISLANDVANCOUVER

BRITISHCOLUMBIA

Robson Bight

Port McNeill Alert Bay

Please inquire for 2017 dates.

Please inquire for 2017 rates.

Departs from / Returns to: Port McNeill

6-days / 5-nights

This 6-day sailing expedition aboard our classic schooner Passing Cloud allows us to observe, photograph and learn about killer whales, humpback whales, and many other marine mammals, as well as experience the marine wilderness of Northern Vancouver Island. Make sure to have your camera ready as we expect to witness many whales and dolphins as they hop, breach, tail slap, feed, and socialize. Traveling under sail at every opportunity, this expedition connects us to the stunning marine wildlife of this region and the ecosystems that support them.

What’s Included?

All meals, accommodation, transportation, user fees, use of onboard gear and resources, and rubber boots.

What’s not included?

5% GST, travel and accommodation before and after the expedition, gratuities, any personal expenses incurred due to weather, logistical delays, delayed departures of chartered aircraft, taxis, ferries.

BLACKFISH SOUND

JOHNSTONESTRAIT

BROUGHTON ARCHIPELAGO MARINE

PROVINCIAL PARK

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We start our expedition from the northern Vancouver Island community of Port McNeill, where we board our floating home for the next 6-days, the schooner Passing Cloud. After settling into our cabins and attending a comprehensive safety briefing, we set sail for Johnstone Strait. As we journey to our overnight anchorage, be sure to keep a sharp eye out for the many orcas and other whales that congregate in this region each summer.

Day1

Today we are on the hunt to discover the region’s diverse marine wildlife, including killer whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins. We will spend most of the day observing the daily behaviours of the Northern Vancouver Island Resident killer whales that frequent this region during the summer months. We expect to encounter killer whales feeding, resting, socializing, travelling, breaching, spy hopping, or tail slapping. Following our day at sea, we set anchor for the evening and enjoy a casual shore walk on a nearby island, and discuss the photo-identification techniques used to monitor these fascinating creatures.

Day2

Sample Itinerary:

Hans Van De Sande and Sharon Sullivan

Thrilling experience, we enjoyed every minute, especially the wonderful immersion in the Outer Shores World. Life is all about experience & learning and we go away with much to think about.

British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound

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This morning we travel to the outskirts of the Robson Bight Killer Whale Ecological Reserve in Johnstone Strait, a unique sanctuary for orca. We are likely to encounter a number of killer whales pods or family groups on route to visit the unique “rubbing beaches” found within the reserve. We’ll use our underwater hydrophone to listen to the vocalizations that killer whales use to communicate with one another and differentiate among family units. We follow that up by setting sail and cruising the nearby waters to the sounds of only wind and water moving around us.

Day3

This morning we’ll explore our scenic anchorage via sea kayak, zodiac tour, or shore excursion. We will then spend the rest of our morning observing and photographing the large numbers of humpback whales, Dall’s porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins congregating in Blackfish Sound and Queen Charlotte Strait. In the afternoon, we visit the historic boardwalk community of Telegraph Cove and the Killer Whale Interpretive Centre. This facility provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the biology, ecology, and conservation of killer whales and other marine mammals in this region.

Day4

Today, our last full day on the water, we’ll have a number of options available to us. Depending on the interests of our group, we may decide to spend the day observing killer whales and humpback whales, sailing, sea kayaking, or walking along the beach. A beautiful forest walk to visit Eagle Eye, an observation platform where BC Park wardens monitor the movements of killer whales and visiting vessels are other possible activities for the day.

Day5

This morning we wake up early and set sail for our last chance to spot more marine wildlife – perhaps even some of the mammal-eating transient killer whales, a lone Minke whale, or a super-pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins! Once arriving back in Port McNeill, we disembark and say farewell to this spectacular region, with many fresh memories of our adventures on the open sea.

Day6

360 B Harbour RoadVictoria, British ColumbiaV9A 3S1, Canada

info@outershores.ca

1-855-714-7233 (Toll Free in North America)1-250-220-2311 (Local and International)

If you have any questions about our expeditions, or a specific detail about the expedition you have booked, please let us know by phone or visit our website for more information.

Photo Credits: James Thompson, Russell Markel, and Gem Salsberg.