Whale Watching Guidelines For Kayakers

• Be cautious and courteous: approach areas of known or suspected marine mammal activity with extreme caution. Look in all directions before planning your approach or departure.
• Avoid approaching closer than 100 metres to any whale.
• If your kayak is unexpectedly within 100 metres of a whale, stop immediately and allow the whale(s) to pass.
• Avoid approaching whales from the front or behind. Always approach and depart whale from the side, moving in a direction parallel to the direction of the whales.
• Keep clear of the whales' path. Avoid positioning your kayak within the 400 metre area in the path of the whales.
• Stay on the offshore side of the whale when they are traveling close to shore.
• Limit your viewing time to a recommended maximum of 30 minutes. This will minimize the cumulative impact of many vessels and give consideration to other viewers.
• Do not swim with or feed whales.
• Do not disturb groups of resting animals.
• Avoid any position that would result in encircling the animal(s).
• Do not enter the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve.

The Be Whale Wise brochure (will open in new window) provides more detailed information.

Additional Links:

• British Columbia Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program
• Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society
• Straitwatch