A Guide to Land-based Whale Watching in the Salish Sea

by Serena Tierra

Why land-based whale watching?

Land-based whale watching has benefits for both people and whales. The Salish Sea is a noisy place for marine mammals, so viewing them from land means you’re not contributing to noise pollution in the water. This is especially important for whales that rely on echolocation to hunt, like the endangered Southern resident killer whales. Land-based whale watching is also more accessible for many people. It’s free and you can go at any time. Sightings are not guaranteed, but you can still enjoy your day sitting by the water.

T19C Spouter at Clover Point. Photo: Serena Tierra

Where to go

The Whale Trail

The Whale Trail is a series of land-based viewing points to look for marine mammals. There are sites from BC to California (thewhaletrail.org). Whale Trail sites around Victoria:

Outside our Centre! The waterfront path in Sidney is a great place to look for marine mammals. We’ve observed killer whales three times so far this summer!
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site
Pedder Bay Marina in East Sooke
Several locations in the Gulf Islands

Other Victoria area locations not designated as official Whale Trail sites, include my favorites:

Island View Beach
Glencoe Cove
Ten Mile Point
Clover Point

T19C spotted off Clover Point, Victoria. Photo: Serena Tierra

General location tips

There’s nothing better than sitting on the beach while a whale swims right in front of you, but that’s not always how it works out. Sometimes the whales are far offshore. In that case, getting up high above the water on a bluff or rocks makes it easier to see them. It’s also good to find somewhere more exposed so trees don’t block your view.

One of the most common questions I get asked about whale watching is “When is the best time of day to see them?” There isn’t usually a time that is best. Gray whales are easier to find at high tide, when they come close to shore to feed. Later in the day, at least during the summer, can also be easier because whale watching boats and other observers have had time to look for whales and report their sightings. I have seen whales at all times of the day, so don’t let that limit you.

How to observe

Binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens can help you get a closer look. I use a Sigma 150-600 mm lens, but you can also get good pictures with a smaller lens. Some people use attachments for their phone camera or take pictures through their binoculars.

The best way to look for any sign of whales is by scanning the water. Don’t focus on one spot because you might miss something the other direction. If you’re following a report, watch the direction they are coming from but occasionally look around in case you missed them. It also helps to put the binoculars or camera down to scan a wider area.

What to look for

Blows and fins

This is the easiest thing to look for. Whales are marine mammals, so they must come to the surface to breathe. When they do this, warm air coming out of their blowhole condenses in the colder environment and results in a visible puff. Pay attention to the shape, as it can help you identify the species. If you see a blow, try to spot a fin. Male killer whales have large (6 ft, 1.8 m), distinct fins that are hard to miss, while gray whales have a low dorsal ridge (looks like a series of knuckles!) that is harder to spot.

Splashes

There are multiple whale behaviors that cause splashes — breaching, tail slapping, hunting/feeding and socializing. Keep watching the area to see if a whale or another animal caused the splash.

Birds

Large groups of birds gather around bait balls (large groups of fish). Some whales forage on bait balls too. Birds will also pick up any leftover food when whales are feeding. If you see a group of birds in the water, keep an eye on them and look for blows.

Boats

Stationary boats, both commercial and private, can be an indicator that there is a whale nearby. Sites like marinetraffic.com can help you find and identify whale watching boats. Keep in mind they may be stopped for other reasons. Whale watching boats view other wildlife and recreational boaters may be fishing, swimming or just enjoying their time on the water.

Grey Whale — Heart-shape blow. Photo: Serena Tierra

Common species and how to identify them!

GRAY WHALE

Look for a heart-shaped blow and a gray body with white mottling. They may roll onto their side when feeding and expose their pectoral fins. You are most likely to see them in the late winter and spring during their northbound migration. Though some gray whales stay in the area to feed during the summer.

HUMPBACK WHALE

Look for tall blows, a small dorsal fin, and dark gray body. They arch their back when diving and often display their wide flukes, which have varying amounts of white markings. If you see one pec slapping or breaching, look for their long pectoral fins — they can be up to 15 ft/4.6 m! You are most likely to see humpbacks from the spring to early fall before they leave for warmer waters in the winter.

MINKE WHALE

Look for a curved dorsal fin and dark body. They have short, bushy blows that are not always visible. Minkes are usually not very active at the surface, so you may not see much of them. Sometimes they will only surface a few times in an area before disappearing. Bird activity can be helpful for keeping track of their movement. Our local minkes do not migrate, but you are more likely to see them in the spring and summer when there is more food around.

HARBOUR PORPOISE

Look for a triangular dorsal fin, gray body, and a rolling motion at the surface. You usually won’t see a blow from these small cetaceans. They travel alone or in small groups and are shy, avoiding boats. Because they are small with a small fin, they are more easily spotted in calm seas.

DALL’S PORPOISE

Look for a black triangular dorsal fin with a white tip. Dall’s porpoises have black bodies with a white belly and are commonly mistaken for young killer whales. They can be seen bow-riding boats.

KILLER WHALE

Look for tall, black dorsal fins — females are typically 2-3 ft/0.9 m tall, males are 5-6 ft/1.8 m tall. Smaller fins are more curved and males fins usually straighten out as they grow. There is a gray/white marking behind the fin called a saddle patch and a white patch behind the eye.

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN

Look for a gray and white curved dorsal fin. They have a dark gray back with lighter sides and underbelly. Pacific white-sided dolphins are typically found in large groups of up to 200 individuals. They are very playful and active at the surface and are often seen bow-riding and leaping out of the water.

While you look for whales, you have a good chance of spotting other marine mammals:

Harbour seal
California sea lion
Steller’s sea lion
Elephant seal
Sea otter
River otter

Sighting reports

Reporting your sightings

Engage in citizen science by reporting your sightings. Ocean Wise’s WhaleReport app is free and allows you to assist with whale research. Not only does your data aid scientists, it can reduce and prevent collisions with boats as the data is sent to nearby commercial boaters.

Finding reports

Facebook is a great place to learn about sightings. There are many groups and pages that cover different parts of the Salish Sea. If you live in, or are visiting, the Puget Sound area, Orca Network on Facebook is the best place to find and post real-time sightings and updates. For Vancouver Island, Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings posts real-time whale sightings for parts of the eastern coast of the island and has multiple group chats for others to share sightings.

Some groups covering Southern Vancouver Island and Southern Gulf Islands:

SGI Whale Sightings Network
Whale Watch – Pender Island
Whale Sightings in the San Juan Islands
Sooke Whale Spotting
Whale Spotters of Otter Point & Sooke

Learn more about local marine mammals at Educator in the Park (Beacon Park, Sidney), August 9th, 1:00PM-4:00PM.