Discover Cowichan on the water with a wildlife tour from Ocean Ecoventures!
The highest Killer Whale Sightings in British Columbia! Ocean EcoVentures is the most centrally located Whale Watching Company on Vancouver Island with the highest sighting of Orcas and Humpback Whales every year. They offer small personal tour groups with no more than 12 passengers onboard.
Spend the day Cowichan Bay – Discover the gorgeous seaside town of Cowichan Bay, one of Cowichan’s many thriving communities, known for sea adventures, fresh seafood restaurants, and artisan goods. Just 45 minutes from downtown Victoria, it’s the perfect excursion for a day trip or overnight weekend getaway!
It’s also known for some of the best wildlife and whale watching on the island! This itinerary lets you take it all in with a custom tour from Ocean Ecoventures.
Relax with a view – Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay is situated on picturesque Cowichan Bay, offering scenic views of the marina and rolling hills looking across to Genoa Bay.
Stop at True Grain Bread – Just a few doors down for your hotel room is the popular bakery True Grain Bread, offering made-from-scratch goodies daily.. Like many businesses in Cowichan, True Grain Bread is committed to sustainable practices and local ingredients, and is well-known for their commitment to using BC stone ground Red Fife Heritage Wheat.
Take a tour with Ocean Ecoventures – After your morning coffee and baked goods, head a few doors over the Ocean Ecoventures for your custom whale watching tour. Choose from a ½ day (3.5 to 4 hours), a full day, or a private charter tour. For a longer stay, they also offer custom expedition multi-day tours, perfect for the adventure group!
Captain Simon Pidcock and his crew are dedicated to sustainability and conservation, and as such, your tour will include lots of animals beyond orcas. Their dedicated crew of experts have a wealth of knowledge about the waters around Cowichan and the many types of wildlife that we share this space with.
Bonus: if you come in the fall months (October & November), you’ll get to check out the famous Sea Lions that call the waters of Cowichan Bay home. Each year, over 400 Sea Lions from California and Washington make the trek to Cowichan to relax on the docks, with some weighing up to 2,000 lbs! These entertaining guests are sure to put a smile on your face.
Fun Fact: Some of the orcas that inhabit the waters of Cowichan differ from the resident ones you may spot around Victoria and Vancouver. In Cowichan, you’ll get a chance to see transient orcas, or Biggs. Rather than subsisting on a diet of salmon, Biggs orcas are hunters, and can often be seen participating in a group hunt not far from the shores.
Dinnertime! – You’ll definitely be hungry after your tour. Luckily, you’re just steps away from fresh seafood at Rock Cod Cafe. The fish and chips featuring pacific cod is a must-try. Other great spots within walking distance include The Masthead, The Vine, Cow Cafe, and Rob’s Lighthouse.
Enjoy a sunset paddle – The perfect way to end the day in Cowichan? A sunset paddle around the bay. The team at Coastal Bliss Adventures is your go-to spot for canoe or kayak rentals. Relax at your own pace and explore hidden spots around the bay as the sunsets. From May to early July, the bioluminescence makes evening paddles a must-see experience.
