Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

Porpoises are a toothed-whale subspecies which are small compared to the other species. They are related to dolphins. Their spade-shaped teeth, as opposed to cone-shaped teeth, triangular dorsal fins, and shorter beaks distinguish them. There are just six different varieties of these cetaceans, despite the fact that there are 32 different dolphin species in the globe! However, we are discussing the types of porpoises living the waters of Vancouver Island providing a fantastic opportunity for porpoise watching adventures. Two of these 6 species are inhabiting waters surrounding Vancouver Island; Dall’s porpoises and harbour porpoises. Dall’s porpoises are frequently sighted around Vancouver Island. The most significant distinguishing difference between these two cetaceans is their colouring that we will discuss in the following sections. One the of most amazing facts about the ocean's fast demon is their "hybridization". You may ask what is it? Well to answer that, it happens when a Dall’s porpoise mates with a harbour porpoise. Based on what Wildwhales.org has found, hybridization between the two types, with harbour porpoise as the paternal father and Dall's porpoise as the maternal parent, occurs sometimes in BC waters. Hybrids have a body form, diving characteristics, and behaviour that are more like to Dall's porpoise, but they lack the white side patches and have a coloration that is more akin to the harbour porpoise.

Dall’s porpoise are the fastest cetaceans living beneath the waves on Vancouver Island. Mariners on Vancouver Island know the as the speed demons. Thus, sighting them can be counted as a challenge and bonus at the same time. They are easy to spot from a distance because to its striking black and white colors. A huge white patch on the flanks and belly contrasts with the sleek black body. The tail's outside edges appear to be painted white or gray. The Dall's porpoise is sometimes confused for its smaller relative, the harbour porpoise, when viewed from afar. Both of their dorsal fins are triangular, although the Dall's fin is frequently frosted with white or gray at the tip. Small cetaceans like Dall's porpoises are perhaps the most abundant in the north Pacific. They can be spotted all year in coastal and offshore areas around the British Columbia coast, particularly where deep underwater channels and canyons exist. They eat squid and tiny schooling fish like as herring, capelin, and eulachon. It captures its victim with its tiny fangs and consumes it whole.

Males and females have similar appearances, and while females are usually somewhat bigger, it is difficult to distinguish between the two sexes. Males have a seasonal development of the testes, which can weigh up to 6% of their total weight during the mating season. Females give birth to a calf every one to two years, and both sexes can live up to 13 years. The harbour porpoise is significantly smaller than it's Vancouver Island cousin, measuring 5.5 feet in length and weighing around 170 pounds on average. They're British Columbia's tiniest cetacean! The harbor porpoise has a circumpolar distribution in the northern hemisphere's temperate and boreal seas. There are three distinct groups: North Pacific, North Atlantic, and Black Sea-Sea of Azov. They tend to stay in coastal waters, while sightings in deep sea have been reported on occasion. They may be found in many of BC's inlets and fjords. They are also occasionally seen in brackish rivers. These dark-gray creatures feed tiny schooling fish like herring and consume roughly 10% of their body weight every day.

Some of Dall’s porpoises would migrate in search of food or mate; However, harbour porpoises are the residents of Vancouver Island waters which makes it possible to spot them during a regular whale watching trip. Nonetheless, March might be the peak season and the best time for spotting them on Vancouver Island They usually swim near shores and sometimes you can see them moving with the waves from the shore. Not to mention that you should be able to distinguish them from dolphins and baby killer whales.

What’s the difference between porpoises and dolphins? Why are they usually mistaken with dolphins? These are two main questions which has engaged cetacean fans or maybe those who have recently been on a whale watching trip. Well, we are going to answer that. Dolphins outnumber their smaller brothers by a large margin. There are 32 dolphin species (plus five closely related river dolphin species) and just six porpoise species, according to most experts. So, what's the difference between the two? It all boils down to their faces, fins, and figures. Porpoises have smaller mouths and spade-shaped teeth, whereas dolphins have prominent, extended "beaks" and cone-shaped teeth. The hooked or curled dorsal fin (the one in the center of the animal's back) of the dolphin varies from the triangular dorsal fin of the the other party. The bodies of dolphins are often slimmer; and, on the other hand, are more communicative than porpoises. Dolphins communicate with one another underwater by making whistling noises through their blowholes. Porpoises do not do this, according to scientists, and this may be due to anatomical variations in their blowhole.

• Dall's Porpoises are often seen bow-riding and surfing in boat wakes, a behavior that is similar to that of Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, with which they have been observed associating. • When they travel at high speeds, Dall's generate a rooster tail splash, which may be recognized. • They can move at speeds of up to 34 miles per hour, making them one of the fastest small cetaceans! • There are no Dall's Porpoises jumping from the sea. They don't do acrobatics very often. • Small schooling fish, like as herring, make up their diet. • They live for an average of 13 years. Porpoises have limited lifespans, with only a handful living to or beyond 20 years. • Typically, they travel in groups of 2 to 20 members.

Dall's porpoises are the furies of the BC's ocean. With porpoise watching, or better to say, whale watching tour see these amazing cetaceans riding the waves. 

• They lack a beak and have a broad, rounded nose, unlike other porpoises. • They feed tiny schooling fish like herring and consume roughly 10% of their body weight every day. • There will be no bow-riding or interacting with other cetaceans among these porpoises. • Harbor porpoises are wary of boats and avoid them. It's not unusual to come upon one just to have it vanish in an instant! • When swimming, harbor porpoises do not drag their full bodies out of the water. • Their dark grey bodies with white bellies help to identify them. • These porpoises have been spotted moving between the shoreline and the open ocean. They do, however, enjoy shallow water.

Porpoise Watching is not actually a specific tour. Porpoise watching is one of the bonuses of whale-watching trips in particular places. Due to their similarity to dolphins and baby orcas, many would make a mistake distinguishing them. Therefore, you’ll need to book a tour with a fully experienced tour guide to help you spot these furies of the ocean. Whether Dall’s or harbour porpoises never fully come out of the water, and they try to swim the waves.

During your time on the ocean, our whale watching trips ensure its porpoise watching opportunity provided that you include "porpoise sighting" when filling a form to book a whale watching tour for one of the earlier mentioned places for porpoise watching.