Our mission
Environmental stewardship is one of our core values, both above and below the ocean’s surface. Our mission is to work for the protection of all wildlife as we encourage our guests to explore, become more involved in education, conservation, and sustainability.
Responsible Whale Watching
The west coast of Canada is one of the best places for whale watching on the planet. Canada’s laws and regulations help ensure our whales and marine mammals can still be enjoyed, but at a safe distance.
Transport Canada works closely with whale watching companies to ensure the conservation of marine life, while still giving guests an excellent experience.
We are dedicated to education, conservation, and responsible wildlife viewing, and our priority is the safety of our passengers, crew, and resident marine wildlife.
We are required to keep a minimum distance of 100 metres from most marine mammals.
We are authorized by the Government of Canada and to view both Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales and Northern Resident Killer Whales at a safe distance of 200 metres, opposed to the standard vessel approach distance of 400 metres.
Southern resident killer whales (SRKW)
Our partners in conservation
The BC Cetacean Sightings Network is a research and conservation program of Ocean Wise’s Marine Mammal Research Program, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Their goal is to increase public awareness of British Columbia’s cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and sea turtles and the threats to their survival.
We report sightings to their WhaleReport Alert System, which alerts shipmasters and pilots of cetacean occurrence in their vicinity. This awareness better enables vessels to undertake adaptive mitigation measures, such as slowing down or altering course in the presence of cetaceans, to reduce the risk of collision and disturbance.
The data is also used by government agencies, universities and ENGOs for conservation-based research projects, critical habitat analysis, the establishment of marine protected areas, and more. Sightings are analyzed to better understand the relative abundance, distribution, and habitat use of BC’s cetaceans.
To maintain Skipper status with Big Animal Encounters, our vessel crew undergo annual training which includes Be Whale Wise Guidelines. These important guidelines help us to preserve the health of the marine mammals we are fortunate enough to share the waters with.
The Whale Warning Flag is flown by our vessels while engaging in whale watching. The purpose of this flag is to notify transiting vessels in the area that whales are likely to be within 400 meters of the vessel flying the flag. Any transiting vessels should then apply adjustments to course and speed as deemed necessary to be in compliance with the Be Whale Wise Guidelines.
We are proud members of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia (CBVA). This association was formed to promote sustainable bear viewing in British Columbia and aid in the protection of wild bears and their ecosystems.
The CBVA has created a bear viewing guide certification course and maintains a list of CBVA certified bear-viewing guides that are knowledgable and trusted to respect the safety and habitat of their local bear population while providing tours.
The CBVA actively works with conservation groups, scientists, and the government to come up with solutions that will allow us to live in better harmony with these magnificent creatures.
Since 2010, Wild Ocean Whales Society (WOWs) is a non-profit marine conservation society based out of Powell River, British Columbia. They hav been working to highlight the whales, dolphins and porpoises of the west coast of British Columbia, and to raise public awareness, respect and enthusiasm for their protection and welfare. We are a proud supporter of this valuable volunteer-run organization.
We are on the Board of Directors for the Campbell River Association of Tour Operators. This local organization is key to ensuring that its members operate at the highest regulatory standards for safety.
The Exploration Diving Society of British Columbia (EDSBC) is a diverse group of experienced and multi-disciplined underwater explorers discovering new diving opportunities for freedivers, non-technical divers, and technical divers.
We are proud supporters of the work they do to explore, discover, and document new diving sites in Canada.
From Comox, BC., Nicky and her family started the Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings Facebook page in 2015. The goal is to share real-time sightings of the amazing wildlife this beautiful island has to offer, and promote shore-based viewing opportunities and increased awareness of our local marine inhabitants. With tens of thousands of members, the vast amount of information received helps to contribute to the tracking, research and understanding of these beautiful beings from gentle giants to tiny birds.
