whale watching in Victoria, BC in April

[kaiyen]

<p>Hey all,<br>

My wife is joining me in Victoria, British Columbia while I'm at a conference in a few weeks. I know that whale watching is popular there, but we've read uneven reports of whether whales are around this time of year. Anyone with experiences?<br>

thanks.</p>

[dane_strom]

<p>Allan,<br>

I'm from the San Juan Islands, just east of Victoria, and here's the info you need:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.sanjuansafaris.com/southern_resident_whales.html">http://www.sanjuansafaris.com/southern_resident_whales.html</a></p>

<p>The K and J pods, which are the resident pods, arrive in the area in mid-April, so this should probably line up well with your trip.</p>

<p>And here is the latest "whale news" from the Whale Museum on San Juan Island. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.whale-museum.org/museum/press/news.html">http://www.whale-museum.org/museum/press/news.html</a></p>

<p>It mentions an orca vs. grey whale attack near Whidbey Island from yesterday, so they are in the area already. You should probably have good luck seeing them if you go out on a whale watching tour.</p>

<p>Whatever you do, don't get into the water. Or eat the local seafood. Victoria dumps its sewage straight into the Straight of Juan de Fuca. ;-)</p>

[henry_l]

<p>I'm looking to do the same trip late May for Memorial Day weekend. We are going to take the ferry from Anacortes to Sidney and then staying in Victoria. So I'm assuming there's a good chance of spotting whales on my ferry ride to and from?<br>

I'm planning to rent some long glass for that too, what would you recommend? I'm looking into a 100-400, and I'm shooting with a Canon T1i. What are other pictureesque sites that the 100-400 be ideal at/near Victoria once I get there? I have a 17-85 as my walk around lens.<br>

Thanks for any suggestions!</p>