Whale Watching Guidelines

We love killer whales, but it’s possible to love them too much. Visitors come from all over the world to see our whales, but all this attention can be harmful if we’re not careful. The noise from boat motors can bother killer whales, who use sound to communicate and find food. Boat propellers can cut them if whale watchers get too close.

To make sure that we don’t bother the whales too much, experts have made a list of suggestions for whale watchers to follow. For example, they ask boaters to stay at least 100 metres away from whales and not to go in front of them.

If you’re going on a whale watching tour, choose an operator who follows those guidelines. You’ll be able to enjoy your encounter with killer whales without disturbing them too much.

A full list of the whale watching guidelines can be found at the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network website.