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Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Dall's Porpoises
Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Dall's Porpoises
Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Dall's Porpoises
Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Dall's Porpoises
Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Dall's Porpoises

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.

Are There Porpoise Watching Tours on Vancouver Island?

Well, to be honest no! However, we can proudly claim that sighting porpoises during whale watching tours is one of our whale watching bonuses in some certain places. Be aware that these creatures are highly mistaken with dolphins, especially Dall’s porpoises due to their colour. Looking with reason, they are much smaller in size comparing to dolphins. Not to mention that baby orcas are also mistaken with Dall’s porpoises; again because of their black and white colour. Remember that killer whales are a type of dolphins. Our expert whale watching tour guides with years of experience or successful whale watching guarantee sightings of porpoises on Vancouver Island Waters. For years spotting these dolphin-like marine animals has been an inseparable bonus for our whale watching trips. Stay with us to tell you more about these friendly, amazing cetaceans.

2 Types of Porpoises on Vancouver Island

For our porpoise watching adventure there are two types inhabiting the waters of Vancouver Island. They are more frequent around BC’s shores; however, occasional sightings have occurred near the shorelines of Vancouver Island.

Dall’s Porpoise Watching: Characteristics, Habitat, and Diet

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.

Harbour Porpoise Watching: Characteristics, Habitat, and Diet

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.

Best Time for Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

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.

Where Are Porpoises Found on Vancouver Island?

Small groups of Dall's porpoises are frequently seen by boaters and ferry passengers in the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, as well as the Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits off the northeastern coast of Vancouver Island. Thus, the best place to see them riding the waves is the southern parts of the island.

7 Best Places for Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

Southern waters are an ideal place to see them on Vancouver Island.

Waters surrounding the capital are offering the bonus of Spotting the fast demons.

Sooke Porpoise Watching

Another southern hotspot for watching them on Vancouver Island is Sooke.

North Island, including Port Hardy, is full of whale watching bonuses.

Port McNeil is one of the northern cities with tons of opportunities.

You may also find them riding the waves in Campbell River waters.

One of the Vancouver Island hidden gems facing the Juan de Fuca Strait. 

Porpoises vs. Dolphins

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.

7 Interesting Facts about Dall's Porpoises

• 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.

Book a Marine Fast & Furious!

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. 

7 Interesting Facts about Harbour Porpoises

• 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.

The Best Porpoise Watching Tour Guide on Vancouver Island

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.

In addition to everything mentioned above, our whale watching tour guides have guided a large number of visitors before you and have enough experience to know where the best stop for porpoise watching during the entire tour, and when the best time to go onboard to ride the ocean tides to see a Dall's porpoise riding the waves. Last but not least, if you book a whale watching tour with a professional guide, you can relax and enjoy the rest of your trip, including the porpoise watching possibility.

NOTE THAT

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.

Go Beyond for Your Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

Port Alberni Wildlife Watching

Port Alberni Wildlife Watching

Parksville Wildlife Watching

Parksville Wildlife Watching

Sooke Wildlife Watching

Sooke Wildlife Watching

Campbell River Wildlife Watching

Campbell River Wildlife Watching

Port McNeil Wildlife Watching

Port McNeil Wildlife Watching

Port Hardy Wildlife Watching

Port Hardy Wildlife Watching

Telegraph Cove Wildlife Watching

Telegraph Cove Wildlife Watching

Port Renfrew Wildlife Watching

Port Renfrew Wildlife Watching

Sidney Wildlife Watching

Sidney Wildlife Watching

Ucluelet Wildlife Watching

Ucluelet Wildlife Watching

Victoria Wildlife Watching

Victoria Wildlife Watching

Tofino Wildlife Watching

Tofino Wildlife Watching

Porpoise Watching FAQs

The Salish Sea is home to harbor porpoises, which may be seen within a few miles of coast in both Canadian and US seas. They're common in regions where enormous tidal flows travel through narrow straits or around headlands.

Share Your Thoughts about Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

Sebastian
February 24, 2022, 12:25

Are there any porpoise watching tours near telegraph cove?

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Admin in reply Sebastian
February 27, 2022, 13:28

Hi,
Yes please refer to "porpoise sighting" or "porpoise watching" while filling the form to book your whale watching tour

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Kathrine
February 24, 2022, 12:18

Is porpoise watching guaranteed if I want to book a whale watching tour with you guys?

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Admin in reply Kathrine
February 27, 2022, 13:28

Hi,
Yes please refer to "porpoise sighting" or "porpoise watching" while filling the form to book your whale watching tour

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