Sidney Whale Watching

Name: Sidney Whale Watching
Address: 2537 Beacon Avenue # 105, Sidney, BC, V8L1Y3, CA
Telephone: +12506567599
Price range: $$$
Rating: 4.8

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Sidney Whale Watching

Sidney Whale Watching Indigenous owned whale watching company in Sidney, B.C. Responsible whale watching. Daily tours from March to October.

Sidney Whale Watching is a family-owned and operated company that has been serving Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula for over 20 years. We are on the offer daily whale watching trips, culinary tours on the Gulf Islands, and charters for private events. Each of our team members loves what we do, and therefore, we strive to make our tours as memorable as possible. We all agree that there is no better day than a day spent on the water.

02/11/2025

Still searching for that perfect Valentine's gift? A Sidney Whale Watching tour or digital gift card could be the unforgettable experience you’re looking for - one for you both to enjoy and remember forever.

For easy booking and gift card purchases, visit our website: https://sidneywhalewatching.com/

02/07/2025

There’s one iconic whale species you won’t expect to see on our tours.

Southern Resident Killer Whales are an endangered species with less than 75 known whales in the J, K and L pods.

Threats to their survival include the decline of Chinook Salmon, their primary food source, exposure to pollution, increased underwater sound, and captures by the aquarium trade.

Along with 30 members of the Pacific Whale Watching Association, Sidney Whale Watching is doing our part to reduce boat noise and other impacts by avoiding Southern Resident Whales on our tours.

We also donate 1% of our sales to the Pacific Salmon Foundation to support the restoration of the Chinook Salmon population.

We encourage you to follow Pacific Whale Watch Association to learn more about how you can help support Southern Resident Killer Whale Conservation.

*This photo by Suzanne Huot is of Transient orcas, not Southern Residents.

02/01/2025

Explore our home of the Salish Sea, an expansive network of waterways that spans both parts of British Columbia and Washington State. It serves as a vital habitat for an array of marine species and stands as a breathtaking element of the Pacific Northwest’s natural scenery.

Honouring the Coast Salish peoples, its namesake, the Salish Sea is a beacon of ecological and cultural significance. It embodies the deep historical roots and enduring traditions of the indigenous communities across these waters.

Join us at Sidney Whale Watching to discover the beauty and rich stories of the Salish Sea.

01/31/2025

Looking for a Valentine's Day gift that'll earn a big seal of approval? Whether for your partner, friend, or family member, if they love the gift of an experience, Sidney Whale Watching is the perfect choice! Our 2025 season kicks off in March, and we're already taking bookings online. Opt to book a specific tour as a heartfelt present to enjoy together later, or grab an online gift card to plan your adventure at a time that suits you both perfectly!

Dreaming of a whale watching adventure this year? Tag or share this with someone who needs a not-so-subtle hint about what you'd love 😉

01/23/2025

"We had a fantastic time on this open boat (you get a suit to keep you warm) and saw killer whales, a humpback whale, eagles and otters. Not as far of a boat ride as Victoria so really glad we did this one. We could see them from a safe distance to not disturb the animals which is great! Thanks!"

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave us feedback. Every single tour is different on what we see and where we go, but we always want to make sure everyone enjoys themselves no matter what happens.

We do see a couple common comments that sets Sidney Whale Watching apart- once on the boat, the travel distance is typically less to reach the wildlife; and our small, open hull boats allow for an intimate tour and great viewing opportunities!

We look forward to resuming tours in 6 more weeks!

01/18/2025

The Sidney Whale Watching season for 2025 opens again in March! Here are some photos taken by Captain Cal from March 2023. There are incredible scenes all year round and we cannot wait to share them with you!

Who is planning to join us on the water this year? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️

Photos

01/09/2025

Wondering how many people you can expect to share your tour with?

Our boats are equipped to comfortably seat 12 passengers, providing an intimate experience with excellent views for everyone aboard.

We have two different vessels that each provide a unique experience:

🚤 30ft aluminum boat offers an excellent viewing platform, allowing photographers and enthusiasts alike to get the perfect angle.

🚤 30ft zodiac vessel offers unsurpassed proximity to the water and the thrill of an open-hull boat.

Both are designed for stable, safe wildlife viewing meeting Transport Canada Safety Standards.

If you’re looking for a whale watching tour that offers an intimate, safe, and uncrowded experience, Sidney Whale Watching is the one for you! Tours start again in March, will you be joining us this year?

01/07/2025

Popping in with a little Happy New Year and welcome 2025!

Our season is still a little under 2 months from starting back up, but our team is already getting ready and anticipating a wonderful year ahead.

Is anyone already dreaming of a whale watching tour with us in 2025?

12/30/2024

With the excitement of the holidays behind us, we could all use something to look forward to.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your 2025 adventures.

If you’ve got whale watching on your bucket list (or your must do again list!) here’s when you’re most likely to find the different whale species of the Salish Sea:

🐋 Transient Orcas: All year round
🐋 Humpback Whales: Peak from April-October
🐋 Grey Whales: Peak from February-June
🐋 Minke Whales: Peak from May-September

Our tours run from March through October and bookings for 2025 are now open online.
https://sidneywhalewatching.com/

Which whales are you most excited to look for?

12/26/2024

Our 2024 season was one for the books!

Being immersed in this remarkable marine ecosystem is a gift that we don’t take for granted.

Here’s a look back at some of the sights and experiences we shared with our guests.

Looking forward to getting back on the water in 2025!

12/23/2024

Making a splash to say Happy Holidays to everyone near and far!

This shot by is still one of our favourites from the 2024 whale watching season.

Wishing you light, warmth, and memorable moments throughout this week!

12/18/2024

The land, water, sea, and mountains where we live, work, and play. We're not sure if there's a much better place to call home.

📷 Suzanne Huot

12/14/2024

Looking for last-minute gifts with a unique touch? Why not explore and support local this holiday season by checking out amazing finds from these fellow local First Nations-owned businesses:

Aunty Collective offers an incredible selection of art, jewellery, food, medicines, and more, showcasing the richness of an inclusive Indigenous collective

St. Jean's Cannery & Smokehouse for sustainable smoked and canned fish

Mymondo Trading for Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations art

West Coast Wildflowers for a range of authentic Indigenous gifts, clothing and lifestyle products

Crowfoot Collective for hand poured candles made with traditional knowledge

Your choice to support local can light up a small business owner's holiday season in big ways. Have you found any remarkable local gifts this season? Drop a comment below and share your discoveries! Let’s fill our community with the joy of giving and celebrating our local artisans and craftspeople.

12/09/2024

Putting a little spotlight on these fantastic Sidney businesses that are stocked up with gifts for the ocean-lover in your life:

Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea for books, marine life activities, memberships, and gifts for the whole family

Seawards Souvenir & Apparel for trinkets, souvenirs, and apparel

Buddies Toys for stuffed ocean creatures, books and tools for tiny explorers

And of course, you can’t go wrong with a gift card from your friends at Sidney Whale Watching!

Need to send a subtle hint to someone of what to get you? Share this post with them!

12/06/2024

Humpback whales have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet, travelling up to 10,000 km yearly.

This time of year, most humpbacks have departed the Salish Sea for the warmer waters of Mexico and Hawaii to mate and calf, but there’s still a chance that some are hanging around to make their journey a bit later in the winter.

We look forward to welcoming them back in the spring!

12/04/2024

Looking for a gift for someone who has everything? How about an experience they won’t forget.

Make a splash Christmas morning - we offer gift cards in any amount so you can slip one in your stockings or plan a big adventure for your loved ones.

Head to our website to order your holiday gift cards. They are digitally sent, so if you’re near or far, they make gift giving easy!

https://sidneywhalewatching.com/

11/29/2024

The Salish Sea is a fascinating marine ecosystem teeming with life and rich in history.

For thousands of years, the Coast Salish peoples thrived on what the land and sea have to offer.

Today we’re fortunate to be able to explore this unique habitat, sharing it with locals and visitors from across continents. There’s no other place in the world quite like it.

11/26/2024

Here’s a glimpse into some of the spectacular sights our guests got to see this season.

You never know what will pop out of the water or swoop through the air, but we guarantee it will blow you away!

Thank you to all of our captains for snapping these photos throughout the 2024 season!

Address

2537 Beacon Avenue # 105
Sidney, BC
V8L1Y3

Telephone

+12506567599

Website

https://www.sidneywhalewatching.com/

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Videos

Hump Day 🐋 flashback to this amazing video from the Sidney Whale Watching archives (circa 2018 or so). If you have the sound on, you can hear the stoke of those on board. “Amazing evening off of Mitlenatch Island with over 10 humpbacks! #sidneywhalewatching #humpbacks #westcoastbestcoast #islandlife” *safe viewing distances are observed and zoom and cropping are often used in our videos or photos

That’s a wrap on the 2024 season! We want to thank everyone who made this such a memorable year, from the guests who joined us from our local community and around the world, to our team who worked so hard to create an exceptional experience for all. And of course we have to take a moment to express our gratitude for all the wild creatures that make our tours so special. Until next year, enjoy this look back at some of the special moments of the 2024 season 🐳 #sidneywhalewatching #beautifulbc #explorevictoria #experiencevancouverisland #exploresidney #whalewatching #salishsea #killerwhales #explorecanada

Looking at little snippets of sightings from various tours over the past few weeks. Lots of playful and happy orcas, as well as a sea otter having a scratch. We love what we do and watching all of these magnificent marine creatures off the shores of Vancouver Island and the Gulf and San Juan islands. Who is planning to join us before the season is over? Drop a 🐳 in the comments! #sidneywhalewatching #killerwhales #explorecanada #pacificnorthwest #seaotter

Incredible moments within the past week witnessing nine Bigg’s Orcas playing, hunting, and socializing in the Salish Sea. Thank you to Caption Orion for this beautiful capture. #sidneywhalewatching #orcas #pacificnorthwest #explorevictoria #exploresidney

A little clip from a recent tour. Our captain and guests came across humpback whales, including Big Mama and her new calf. Guests were blown away when one breached. Thanks to Captain Orion for capturing this incredible moment! #humpbackwhale #pacificnorthwest #sidneywhalewatching #whalewatching #explorevictoria

Tours with Sidney Whale Watching are so much more than just whale watching tours. Come and explore the diverse marine and coastal life that can be viewed by boat around the Salish Sea. Currently we are operating two tours a day, 7 days a week, and in mid-June will move to three tours a day. Have you booked your experience yet?