Our captain and guide that we have partnered with for our wildlife tours is Simon, an avid wildlife photographer. He leads all of our private photography charters that we run in British Columbia. I am continually impressed with his uncanny ability to place the boat in the perfect spot to capture those "once and a lifetime shots."
During your time with us you will witness spectacular wildlife photography and whale photography. We will be located on the southeast shores of Vancouver Island, approximately one hour north of Victoria and 45 minutes south of Nanaimo.
Our goal species are the Bald Eagle that use these harbours as their personal dining areas, often seen feeding on marine life along the coastal shores. We will also take you to some of the most densely populated areas for brown and black bear as they use the shorelines to look for food.
Plus, on any given day between April and October, we have witnessed up to 89 Orca Whales frolicking in the southern Vancouver Island waterways. Observe these fascinating marine mammals in their natural habitat as you enjoy the scenic waterways of southern Vancouver Island.
While our high quality, all-inclusive Whale Watching adventure focuses on the Southern Resident Orca Whales, Transient Orca pods, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales, Minke Whales, Dall's Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, and a variety of marine birds are also abundant in the area.
The Southern Resident Orca Whales are split into three separate groups known as "J pod", "K pod", and "L pod". Orca Whales are very social animals. They live in small nuclear and extended families know as pods, clans and communities.
In addition to resident Orca Whales, Transient Orcas are sighted all year. While the Resident Orcas feed almost exclusively on the abundant salmon runs during the summer months, the Transient Orcas feed on a variety of other marine mammals including Porpoises, Dolphins, Whales, Seals, Sea Lions, and sometimes even Deer. The Resident and Transient Orca Whales do not intermingle, but coexist in the same waters.
Arrivals and departures: Please be in Richmond, British Columbia to be picked up at 10am on day one. Plan your departure on the last day after 5pm as we will be dropping you off in Vancouver at 2pm.
Dates of Workshops: In 2016 we are only doing three weeks
April 25, 2016 to April 29th, 2016
May 2, 2016 6o May 6, 2016
May 9, 2016 to May 13, 2016
Price for the workshop is $3495.00CAD ($2780USD) $950 single supplement if you want your own cabin to yourself. You do get your own bedroom in a cabin for regular tour price.
Deposit to secure your place in the workshop is $750.00CAD
Included: All accommodation in two bedroom cabins, two ferry rides, entrance fees to Buchart gardens, all meals except that which is not covered in itinerary, all National park entrance fees, all Provincial park entry fees, 9 to 12 hours of wildlife viewing on boats, transportation
Not Included: items of personal nature, alcohol, laundry, travelers insurance, extra nights if needed.
Day One – Monday
You will be met south of Vancouver at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal in the departures near where the taxi drops you off at 12:30am. From there we will go to the vehicle and load up and head over to get in line for our ferry ride across to Swartz bay in Victoria at 1pm
Once on the island we will quickly head to our cabins to get unpacked and settled for our time on the island.
Our first opportunity to photograph the orca and humpback whales is at 5PM and is scheduled to run to 8pm or 9pm. We will head out for our lastWhale Watching tours to focus on the Southern Resident Orca Whales, Transient Orca Whales, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales and Minke Whales. You will also encounter Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, Harbour Seals, Dalls and Harbour Porpoise as well as a myriad of marine birds on your whale watching eco tour.
Stay in two bedroom cabins in Cowichan Bay (Dinner included)
Day two – Tuesday
Today we have a private charter of our own boat to travel the inner coastal waters and photograph a variety of wildlife. A private charter will allow us the flexibility to travel to locations with better wildlife without time constraints and the worry of other passengers. It will also give us more room to maneuver on the boat and bring more gear.
Our goal species today will be black bears and brown bears, the Southern Resident Orca Whales, Transient Orca pods, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales, Minke Whales, Dall's Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, and a variety of marine birds are also abundant in the area.
Stay in two bedroom cabins in Cowichan Bay (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day Three – Wednesday
You cannot come to the island and not experience the iconic Pacific Northwest Rainforests. We will leave our lodge after breakfast and head towards Cathedral Grove. Cathedral Grove, located in MacMillan Provincial Park, is one of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island. Here visitors can stroll through a network of trails under the shadow of towering ancient Douglas-fir trees, majestic pillars untouched by the modern world – some more than 800 years old.
Depending on the time of year and the salmon run, we will also head over near Port Alberni and go photograph the jumping salmon making their way up the rivers in the annual salmon spawn.
Today is also set aside to go through some computer time and look at your images from the first half of the workshop. I will offer suggestions on composition and editing to make sure your next two outings are even better than your earlier ones.
For those that do not need or want the computer time, you can wander through the town of Cowichan Bay and take photos along the arbour font and seaside landscapes.
Stay in two bedroom cabins in Cowichan Bay (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day Four - Thursday
Today we have another private charter of our own boat to travel the inner coastal waters and photograph a variety of wildlife.
Our goal species today will be black bears and brown bears, the Southern Resident Orca Whales, Transient Orca pods, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales, Minke Whales, Dall's Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, and a variety of marine birds are also abundant in the area.
Stay in two bedroom cabins in Cowichan Bay (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day Five – Friday
Once again, today is all about the sea life in the ocean around Cowichan Bay. Today we will head out for our last Whale Watching tours to focus on the Southern Resident Orca Whales, Transient Orca Whales, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales and Minke Whales. You will also encounter Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, Harbour Seals, Dalls and Harbour Porpoise as well as a myriad of marine birds on your whale watching eco tour.
Our whale tour on the last day begins at 8am and is scheduled to run till 11am or 12pm.
Once back from our tour we will pack up your gear and take you to the ferry terminal in Victoria so you can catch the ferry back to Tsawwassen. We will have you at the ferry terminal at 2pm for the 3pm ferry ride back to the mainland.
You should schedule your airline departures from Vancouver after 7pm from Vancouver International Airport, or the next day.
Please email me at kevinapepper@outlook.com
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