Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours

11/15/2024

Humpbacks, killer whales, seals, sea lions, birds, and some eye-popping scenery…the Salish Sea has it all! Enjoy these photo highlights from recent tours!

Our thanks to Captains Rod, Pete, Russ, Joe, Sierra, Trev, Evan and Brett!
All wildlife photos are taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

11/13/2024

WILDLIFE WONDERS: What is a T-party?
That’s the fun expression we use when multiple families of Bigg’s killer whales get together to socialize. Bigg’s killer whales used to be called “transients,” which is where the “T” comes from. T-parties don’t usually last more than a day, but they’re an excellent opportunity for male killer whales to meet the girls in other families. At the end of the day, though, these adult males almost always return to their mother!

Photo: Bigg’s matriarchs meeting up during a T-party. Sierra Hamilton Photography

11/13/2024

Meet some members of the "Exploring the Salish Sea" education team: Lili, Sierra, Sam and Izzy! On this sunny day the team was prepping to head out onto the Salish Sea with students for an educational experience on the water.
During these boat sessions, the team and the students are always excited to see what's out there! From Bonaparte's gulls and golden eagles to harbour seals and killer whales, it's always a surprise.
Each student gets to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Salish Sea, making a unique connection to their big blue back yard—no matter how many times they come out with us!

11/12/2024

There were smiling faces all around when we recently hosted a group from the Island Kids Cancer Association for a two-hour wildlife tour on the Salish Sea! This organization provides year-round support for children and their families affected by the life-changing diagnosis of childhood cancer. Guided by our award-winning education team, the group enjoyed encounters with killer whales, humpback whales, seals and sea lions. They also took great interest in the props in our on-board naturalist kit, including skulls, shells and baleen! It was heartwarming to see the wonder on the kids’ faces. The Salish Sea worked its magic again!

Our boats and expertise are available at a discounted rate to community groups for special charters. Give us a call to find out more!


Island Kids Cancer Association

11/11/2024

Our deepegst gratitude to those who have served and continue to do so.



📷 Showtime Photography

11/08/2024

With our thanks and gratitude, we remember.

11/07/2024

It's kelp heaven out on the waters and at the beaches right now! With all the wind storms we're having, the degrading kelp has been ripped from the ocean floor and floats around in giant mats.

It's not just invertebrates, fish, seals (and sometimes whales!) that make use of the drifting kelp. We sometimes lift bits of floating bull kelp out of the water to teach our "Exploring the Salish Sea" students about how it survives, where it fits into the food web, and how it has been traditionally used. We then return it to the ocean so it can become habitat once more!

11/06/2024

WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY: HOW MUCH FOOD DOES A HUMPBACK WHALE EAT?

The short answer is— A LOT! Until recently, it was thought that a typical 45-ton humpback gulps between 1.5 and 2 tons of krill or small schooling fish daily. But new research suggests that number should be tripled to a mind-boggling 6 tons. In terms of calories consumed, that’s roughly the equivalent of 40,000 Big Macs—every day. No wonder their mouths are so big!
Photo: Lunge-feeding humpback. Tomis Filipovic Photography

11/06/2024

TC10K: Where Everyone Is Welcome! 🌟

We’re proud to support the 36th annual TC10K, happening on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in beautiful downtown Victoria! This year’s theme, "Where Everyone Is Welcome," celebrates togetherness, community, and the joy of moving together.

Whether you're a newcomer, a seasoned runner, a walker, or a roller of any age or ability, this event is for everyone. Join us in bringing friends, family, and community spirit to an unforgettable day dedicated to unity and connection.

🔗 Head to tc10k.ca to register and be part of this special event!

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11/05/2024

Happy November everyone! We’ve had a few windstorms already but in between we continue to get some fabulous wildlife viewing. There are still humpbacks around, feeding and socializing, along with a few unusual visitors. Here are a few highlights from recent tours!

Our thanks to Captains Rod, Pete, Russ, Joe, Sierra, Trev, Evan and Brett!
All wildlife photos are taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

11/04/2024

Looking to learn more about identifying marine birds? Or hone your winter plumage ID skills? Or perhaps add a few more marine birds to your life list? Join us on Sunday, Dec. 10 when we embark on our third Specialty Bird Tour of the year! We’ll be heading east and north from Victoria harbour to explore some of the known resting and feeding areas for resident, migratory and over-wintering marine birds. Special targets include Brandt’s cormorants, Brant geese and rock sandpipers!

We expect to make stops at bird hotspots including the Chain Islets in Oak Bay, Seabird Point off Discovery Island, D’Arcy and Mandarte Islands in Haro Strait. Sidney Channel, and other areas. We’ll go where the birds are! Departs Fisherman’s Wharf at 8 am. Duration: 4 hours +

Our Specialty Bird Tours are a partnership with the Rocky Point Bird Observatory. Grab your camera and come and talk birds with the experts!

https://vist.ly/3mkjsdu

Give us a call or book online!

📸 Photo of Brant geese by Liam Ragan/RPBO.


Rocky Point Bird Observatory

11/02/2024

We have kicked off the 2024-25 Exploring the Salish Sea Education Program with a splash... and a few spouts!

Students from various schools have, so far, been lucky enough to see whales on every single trip! Not only that but baitballs and eagles have been around too.

A baitball is a large ball of bait fish, such as herring and sand lance, swirling just underneath the surface. It often attracts the attention of seabirds, seals and whales alike.

11/01/2024

Happy November! Looking for something fun to do tomorrow? Come celebrate our urban forest for Tree Appreciation Day.

https://vist.ly/3mkbva4

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from the spooky Salish Sea!
📷 Showtime Photography

10/30/2024

WILDLIFE WONDERS WEDNESDAY

Why do sea otters have such big scary teeth?

Sea otters have powerful, chip-resistant teeth for prying open or crushing hard-shelled animals like clams, crabs and mussels. They also have specially shaped skulls and strong jawbones that give them the same bite strength as a 300-lb black bear! And they have one more secret weapon—they often use a small rock to smash the shells. They’re one of the few animals that use tools!

📷 Ollie the sea otter yawning. Photo taken several years ago by Showtime Photography.

10/29/2024

We close out another spectacular month of fall wildlife viewing with humpbacks and killer whales, plus a few feathered and flippered surprises. They're the best kind! Enjoy these photo highlights!

Our thanks to Captains Rod, Pete, Russ, Joe, Sierra, Trev, Evan and Brett!
All wildlife photos are taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

10/24/2024

Class is back in session this month as our award-winning “Exploring the Salish Sea” floating classroom program begins its 2024-25 season!

The popular community-based program is celebrating six successful years of connecting local grade school students with the wonders of the Salish Sea. Since 2017, about 9,000 students have been through the one-of-a-kind program. Another 2,500 are expected in the 2024-25 season.

Feedback from participating schools and teachers tells us that this program is having a huge positive impact on students. That’s why we want to do more! We want to make the program available and accessible to any student or school in Greater Victoria.

We need your help to do that.

https://vist.ly/3mjp7ww

Sooke School District Wilderness International

We know our award-winning Floating Classroom: Exploring the Salish Sea Education Program is having a massive positive impact on the children who participate in this program. We want to make it accessible for any student or school in Greater Victoria.

10/23/2024

We love October! The whale activity near Victoria has been incredible over the last couple of weeks, with feeding humpbacks and occasional visits by families of Bigg’s killer whales. And in one encounter, the two species were in exactly the same place! Here are a few photo highlights….

Our thanks to Captains Rod, Pete, Russ, Joe, Sierra, Trev, Evan and Brett!
All wildlife photos are taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.