Ocean Explorations Whale Watching
Ocean Explorations Whale Watching
Ocean Explorations Whale Watching
4.5
Dolphin & Whale Watching
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Join us for the adventure of a lifetime on an exciting expedition in search of Killer Whales and other marine wildlife. These waters are an ocean crossroads, a chance for meetings and experiences not to be missed! Ocean Explorations offers world class whale watching from beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Ocean Explorations features Large Safe Zodiacs, Professional Guide/Naturalists and a Highly successful Whale Search Network.Your safety and comfort is our top priority. Our boats are purpose built for the demands of whale watching, they are Coast Guard inspected annually and are always maintained in top condition. Passengers are supplied with Coast Guard approved stay-warm flotation suits to protect against cool air and ocean spray. Ocean Explorations staff are correctly trained tomake your experience safe and enjoyable
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Ocean Explorations Whale Watching
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
12 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
KCLondonOntario
Victoria, Canada25 contributions
May 2011
Wonderful experience! From the time we checked in with David Beseick ( owner) until we docked after the trip ... it was awesome.
Mike - he was our guide... was terrific. He was able to tell us all about the different whales and what we could expect. The day we went, we saw a couple of "transient"whales as well as other ocean life "Jon", a guide who was still in training, was very personable and interacted really well with a young family from the UK. I am sure they are still talking about the experience. For you that have never been, I would suggest this trip because you are really "part of it"... not a large boat, enclosed with lots of people but you are in a Zodiac boat, right there with the whales....and the ocean. Unforgettable!!!
Mike - he was our guide... was terrific. He was able to tell us all about the different whales and what we could expect. The day we went, we saw a couple of "transient"whales as well as other ocean life "Jon", a guide who was still in training, was very personable and interacted really well with a young family from the UK. I am sure they are still talking about the experience. For you that have never been, I would suggest this trip because you are really "part of it"... not a large boat, enclosed with lots of people but you are in a Zodiac boat, right there with the whales....and the ocean. Unforgettable!!!
Written May 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
UrbanTraveller9
Canada1 contribution
We went on a whale-watching tour with Ocean Explorations in May and had a fantastic time. There are a number of tour providers hawking their services in the inner habour of Victoria, but we decided to go with this company because it was cheaper and seemed less overwhelmingly commercialized than the alternatives. We were very glad we did!
The company's office is just off of Government St in the tourist district, quite close to all the boats. The staff is young, enthusiastic and very friendly. Our driver Mike was particularly impressive in describing the local marine environment and climate, as well as in finding whales! We saw a number of pods of killer whales on our trip, despite initial fears, as it was quite foggy when we had left the harbour. Beyond whales we also saw different types of porpoises, some other creatures whose names I've forgotten, and of course seals and sea lions.
I highly recommend going on a whale-watching tour if you're lucky enough to travel to Victoria, and even more highly recommend this company as great value for my money.
Remember to bring your camera, and don't bring your hats, as the boat travels quite fast and I'm sure you'd lose it!
The company's office is just off of Government St in the tourist district, quite close to all the boats. The staff is young, enthusiastic and very friendly. Our driver Mike was particularly impressive in describing the local marine environment and climate, as well as in finding whales! We saw a number of pods of killer whales on our trip, despite initial fears, as it was quite foggy when we had left the harbour. Beyond whales we also saw different types of porpoises, some other creatures whose names I've forgotten, and of course seals and sea lions.
I highly recommend going on a whale-watching tour if you're lucky enough to travel to Victoria, and even more highly recommend this company as great value for my money.
Remember to bring your camera, and don't bring your hats, as the boat travels quite fast and I'm sure you'd lose it!
Written July 9, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lori R
Arizona184 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
I'm not sure if this was the same excursion we took from the cruise but we only saw a few humpback whales and no Orcas but it was a nice little cruise. We got to see a nice lighthouse with some sea lions living on the island. Kim, Emmy, Katy, Brett and chief John were the tour guides.
Written May 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kurtchel
Toronto75 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
I've been out with Ocean Explorations before and had a great time, so when my husband came to Victoria with me this time, we went with them again. We had a good time, saw probably 20 orcas, a few harbour seals, but the skippers had almost no in depth knowledge about the orcas. They couldn't answer many questions asked of them. When I got back from the trip I read the basic Wikipedia page on orcas and that contained all the answers to the questions asked of them. It's pretty bad that they didn't have basic knowledge of orcas. I would still definitely recommend this tour, but read the Wikipedia page before heading out!
Written July 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sadbe
London, UK94 contributions
Jun 2011 • Friends
Whilst this is an expensive tour YOU will see Whales! We maybe sent 2 hours in an open boat, but well suited up for the journey, before we found a pod of whales and then we must have sent another 2 hours just following them at a discreat distance. Good photo opportunities but unless you have a good zoom you could end up with just pictires of fins.
Tour guides are well informatative and often involved in Marine studies at Uni, so have a deep interest, which shows.
It is expensive but where else can you get to see whales in the wild doing what comes naturally to them. A must on any trip in this area.
Tour guides are well informatative and often involved in Marine studies at Uni, so have a deep interest, which shows.
It is expensive but where else can you get to see whales in the wild doing what comes naturally to them. A must on any trip in this area.
Written October 23, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wildBob
Vancouver, Canada1 contribution
Mar 2011
We came to Victoria looking for a cheap and fun getaway. We found it! Ocean Explorations is a great operation. They are fun, Friendly and informative
Written March 25, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sprogg2
Stourbridge165 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
I'm not sure this is the same company, but they all pretty much do the same thing. Whale watching in a zodiac with abou 8-12 other people. We saw humped backed whales which was great, but tthe zodiac on the bumpy waves (and we had a fairly rough sea and some rain), made this a 2 hour excursion difficult to enjoy. Do not sit near the front, it is a painful experience. I had expected to be exhilarated but in fact it was uncomfortable and the jolts were very hard on the back and on my knees. On a calmer day perhaps it would be enjoyable, I am glad I did it because of seeing the whales, but i wouldn't do it again.
Written September 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CalgaryJules
Calgary1 contribution
Aug 2011
Everyone who worked here was friendly, knowledgable and enthusiastic! I will definitely tour with them again while in Victoria. Saw 3 pods of orca whales!
Written September 6, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gill2212
1 contribution
Went whale watching today. Great guide who really knew his stuff! Saw loads of orca's including one who popped up right beside our boat! We were very lucky and it was thrilling. The boat journey was great fun too. Fast and exciting!
Only criticism is the website is out of date. Blogs and trip logs were all pretty old but they were still advertised on the leaflet. I would have loved to see the photos or got info about exactly what whales we saw.
Great experience none the less. Thoroughly reccomend it!!!
Only criticism is the website is out of date. Blogs and trip logs were all pretty old but they were still advertised on the leaflet. I would have loved to see the photos or got info about exactly what whales we saw.
Great experience none the less. Thoroughly reccomend it!!!
Written July 31, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cbroadhead
Vancouver Island, Canada3 contributions
May 2011
What a fantastic trip from start to finish!
The staff at Ocean Explorations are friendly, knowledgable and helpful! Fun, yet safe and incredibly knowledgable about the area and wildlife.
After shopping around, the price was the best in town.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great time out on the water.
The staff at Ocean Explorations are friendly, knowledgable and helpful! Fun, yet safe and incredibly knowledgable about the area and wildlife.
After shopping around, the price was the best in town.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great time out on the water.
Written June 1, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Do we get to see/learn about any of Victoria history or see things other than sealife?
Lori R
Arizona184 contributions
We only saw whales, a lighthouse, and sea lions but that was all. I do not remember them talking about the history of Victoria. There were some of the employees standing around on the boat talking to people and answering their questions. They only came on the PA system whenever a whale was spotted.