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When is
the best time of year to see whales?
May through September is the best time, with a 95% or better
chance of seeing whales. Of this time period, June is the
best month. The Orca whales are resident to the area but
move about following the salmon on which they feed. During
the early Spring and mid Autumn we focus on other whales and
wildlife (seals, otters, eagles, cormorants, etc) living in
the area. <Top>
Do
you guarantee whales?
Passengers on more than 90% of our trips see
whales. In the unlikely event that our passengers do
not see whales, WildCat Adventures will credit those
passengers with a free trip valid for up to one year of
issue (seats on these credits will be based upon
availability).
<Top>
What
type of whale do we see?
Orcas, the famous Killer whales of Free Willy fame, on the
most frequently spotted but we also have Minke, Gray and
Humpback whales in our waters. For more whale info.
<Top>
How
close do we get to the whales?
WildCat Adventures respects the whales in their natural
habitat, and never position our vessel closer than 100 meters to them
which allows them to have the freedom to explore at their
comfort level...sometimes right up to the boat more times
than often! <Top>
What
else do we see?
Other creatures that frequent our waters that you may get to
see are: Dall's Porpoise, Harbour Porpoise, Harbour Seals,
Elephant Seals, California Sea Lions, Steller Sea Lions,
Bald Eagles, Cormorants etc. <Top>
Is
there someone to tell us about the whales?
Yes - We have an excellent Biologist on board who will keep
you fully informed on all the types of wildlife that you may
encounter. See if you can stump him with a question.
<Top>
What
is the cost?
Our pricing is as follows: - For adults - $ 85.00. For
Seniors - $ 79.00 For Students - $ 69.00 (with valid students
card) For children four to sixteen years of age inclusive -
$59.00. Children aged 2 - 3 years are free. Group and Family
rates are available upon request. <Top>
How
long is the trip?
3 hours. On rare occasions this may be extended by 15 to 30
minutes because of distance involved in getting to and from
the whales. <Top>
How
long does it take to reach the whales?
It depends on where the whales are. It can be as short as 30
minutes or as long as 1 hour and 15 minutes. On an average
it is 45 minutes. <Top>
What
times do you go?
Our whale watching season is from April to October, with
daily departures at 10:30am, 2:30pm and 6:00pm.
<Top>
What
type of boat do we go on and is it safe?
The WildCat is a unique 50ft Catamaran made in Australia. It
is a double hulled vessel that is very stable and safe at
all speeds and in all types of weather. Our vessel, safety
equipment and crew are inspected and certified by Transport
Canada. <Top>
Are
there washrooms on the boat?
Yes - there are two convenient washrooms on board.
<Top>
Can
we walk around?
Yes - when the vessel has reached the whales and come to a
stop you are welcome to walk around the boat . The Marine
Biologist will inform you when it is safe to do so.
<Top>
How
should we dress?
Warmly - We recommend long pants, a light sweater and
covered shoes. We provide extra clothing - a Fleece, Jacket
and Pants that are wind and water proof. It is always colder
on the water than on land - the temperature usually drops at
least 20 degrees Fahrenheit once you leave the Harbour.
<Top>
Do we
get wet?
Not unless it's raining. <Top>
Is it
OK to bring a camera?
Yes - we encourage you to bring a camera or video. Just make
sure that you have something to cover it with if it gets wet
while we are traveling to and from the whales.
<Top>
Do we
need to reserve?
Yes, it is highly recommended. To make a reservation
call 250.384.9998 or our online
reservations system. <Top>
What
is your cancellation policy?
We have a 24 hour cancellation policy but we will make every
effort to accommodate you on other departure dates. If you
have booked well in advance, we do require that you
reconfirm the day prior to departure.
<Top>
How
do we find you?
We are located in the heart of Downtown Victoria on
the Inner Harbor below Bastion Square. Lots of parking
spaces are available. Please see our
location map. <Top>
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