The Salish Sea is one of the most extraordinary places in the world to encounter whales and other marine wildlife in their natural environment. It is also home to some of the most closely protected marine mammals in Canada.
Whale watching regulations in British Columbia have changed considerably over the years. If you have joined us in the past, particularly several years ago, your next experience may look different. Minimum viewing distances are now significantly greater for some species and populations.
At Ocean Ecoventures, we follow all federal whale viewing regulations and operate with the welfare of the animals as our first priority.
Understanding these regulations before your tour will help you know what to expect on the water.
As of 2026, federal regulations require vessels in our operating area to maintain the following minimum distances:
Southern Resident Killer Whales are an endangered population and receive the highest level of protection.
Beginning June 1, 2026, vessels must remain at least 1,000 metres, approximately one kilometre, from Southern Resident Killer Whales in southern British Columbia coastal waters.
It is important to understand that this does not mean Southern Resident Killer Whales are a species we expect to view on our tours. Ocean Ecoventures has not viewed Southern Resident Killer Whales on one of our tours since 2019.
While they remain an important part of the Salish Sea ecosystem, an encounter with Southern Resident Killer Whales should not be expected as part of your tour.
Bigg’s Killer Whales are a different population of killer whale that primarily feeds on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and porpoises.
The minimum approach distance for Bigg’s and other non Southern Resident Killer Whales in Pacific Canadian waters is 200 metres.
The general minimum approach distance for most whales, dolphins and porpoises, including Humpback Whales, is 100 metres.
That distance increases to 200 metres when whales, dolphins or porpoises are resting or accompanied by a calf.
These are minimum distances. Depending on an animal’s behaviour, direction of travel, surrounding vessel traffic and other circumstances, our captains may choose to remain farther away.
The regulations govern how we operate our vessels around whales and other marine mammals. Our captains are responsible for maintaining the required viewing distances and operating in a manner that minimizes disturbance to the animals.
Whales are wild animals and their movements can be unpredictable. If circumstances require our captain to adjust the vessel’s speed, position or direction to maintain the appropriate viewing distance, they will do so.
Our captains will never intentionally reduce the required viewing distance to provide a closer look, better photograph or enhanced viewing experience. Protecting the animals and complying with current regulations will always take priority over proximity.
Southern Resident Killer Whales are an endangered population whose diet consists primarily of fish, particularly Chinook salmon. Vessel noise and physical disturbance are among the threats affecting their recovery.
In 2019, the Government of Canada introduced a 400 metre minimum approach distance for killer whales within Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat.
At the same time, participating commercial whale watching operators in the Salish Sea entered into a sustainable whale watching agreement and committed to not offering tours to view Southern Resident Killer Whales. This agreement allowed authorized operators to continue responsibly viewing non Southern Resident Killer Whales, including Bigg’s Killer Whales, at a minimum distance of 200 metres.
Ocean Ecoventures has followed this commitment, and we have not viewed Southern Resident Killer Whales on one of our tours since 2019.
In 2026, the Government of Canada increased the mandatory minimum approach distance for Southern Resident Killer Whales from 400 metres to 1,000 metres.
For our guests, it is important that this change is not interpreted as Ocean Ecoventures previously viewing Southern Residents from 400 metres and now viewing them from 1,000 metres.
Our commitment since 2019 has been not to target or intentionally view Southern Resident Killer Whales at all.
Should Southern Resident Killer Whales be encountered while we are on the water, our captains will follow all current regulations and maintain the required distance.
Protecting this endangered population has been part of responsible whale watching in the Salish Sea for many years, and Ocean Ecoventures remains committed to that approach.
One of the most important things to understand before booking a whale watching tour is that we are observing wild animals in a natural environment.
There are no fences, feeding stations or controlled encounters.
On one tour, we may encounter Humpback Whales. On another day we may watch Bigg’s Killer Whales travelling through the Salish Sea at the required 200 metre distance. We may encounter multiple species, or we may travel considerable distances searching for wildlife.
Weather, sea conditions, wildlife location and animal behaviour all influence each trip.
This unpredictability is part of experiencing wildlife in the wild.
Viewing responsibly does not mean the experience cannot be extraordinary.
Our vessels travel through some of the richest marine ecosystems on the British Columbia coast, with opportunities to encounter Humpback Whales, Bigg’s Killer Whales, Pacific Harbour Seals, Steller Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, Harbour Porpoises, Dall’s Porpoises, Bald Eagles and a wide variety of other marine and coastal wildlife.
Our captains and naturalists use their knowledge of whale behaviour, tides, currents and the geography of the Salish Sea to position our vessels responsibly while providing the best viewing opportunities possible within current regulations.
Ocean Ecoventures has been introducing guests to the whales and wildlife of Vancouver Island since 2003.
We believe responsible whale watching should create an appreciation for these animals without compromising their welfare.
Our goal is not to get as close as possible.
Our goal is to provide an exceptional opportunity to experience wild whales in their natural environment while giving them the space they need.
For Humpback Whales, that means maintaining the applicable minimum viewing distance.
For Bigg’s Killer Whales, that means remaining at least 200 metres away.
For Southern Resident Killer Whales, our commitment since 2019 has been not to intentionally view them. Should they be encountered, we will maintain the required minimum distance of 1,000 metres.
That is responsible whale watching.
Please understand that whale sightings, species encountered, animal behaviour and viewing distances cannot be guaranteed.
By joining a whale watching tour in the Salish Sea, you are choosing a wildlife experience rather than a controlled animal encounter.
We encourage guests to arrive with realistic expectations about viewing distances. Whale watching regulations and responsible viewing practices have changed significantly over the years, and close viewing experiences that may have occurred on tours many years ago are not necessarily possible today.
A close encounter should never be expected or considered a measure of the quality of a whale watching experience.
We will always work hard to provide the best experience the conditions and wildlife allow, but we will never compromise whale welfare or violate Canadian marine mammal regulations to provide a closer encounter.