Can anyone recommend orca watching tour companies that depart from Victoria, and what is the quickest approach to Victoria from either mainland U.S., or Vancouver (city) Canada? Are reservations needed for the ferries, and does anyone know how much they are-or are there web links? Thanks.

There are a bunch of whale watching companies in the inner harbour in Victoria. They are all basically the same. I'd take one that uses a zodiac rather than a large boat. I've gone with the Prince of Whales and they were good. I'd just look for the one with the cheapest price that day. They are very competitive and often have specials. <BR> <BR>The quickest approach to Victoria from Vancouver is from the Tsawwassen terminal, around a 30 minute drive from Vancouver. The ferry ride is around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Normally reservations are not required, but if it is busy you might have a one sailing wait. If it is a holiday weekend, then you might want to make a reservation (an extra $15 per car) on the BC Ferry website at http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/.

Ferries from Vancouver cost $9 per person and I think $36 for a car. Keep in mind that the car is in addition to the cost of each individual passenger.

Was there in '99 for honeymoon. Used "Ocean Explorations" for whale watching trip. They have smaller zodiac boats, knowledgable and friendly staff. Actually got closer to orcas than larger yacht-type boats. Very worthwhile!

I am still in Canada. We went whale watching in Victoria and it was awesome but I would not want to do the Zodiacs (you get too wet and cold) We took the bigger boat and got to see an Orca close up. It was so great! I agree that most of the companies offering the tours are similar. Have fun!

<BR>I just returned from visiting Victoria and took the "Victoria Express" passenger ferry (no cars)) from Port Angeles, WA for a cost of $25 roundtrip. It takes an hour, with one exception: the return trip was through very rough seas (lots of bouncing around & people getting sick) & took over an hour & a half. The Coho car ferry is $15.50 roundtrip & takes about 1 hr 35". A more scenic route is from Anacortes, WA via the San juan Islands. I saw a lot of people taking trips on the Price of Whales boats.... all seemed very happy (& wet).

We have just got back from a holiday in Canada and went whale watching with a firm called Cuda run from the Grant Pacific hotel. We rang round loads of firms and asked if they could beat the previous quotes we had been given and they all ended up lowering their prices. We went on a zodiac and loved every minute of it as it was extremely fast and you got very wet. However I dont think it would suit anyone elderly. <BR>We saw loads of whales and the two guides were very knowledgeable and helpful (and very good looking, to the delight of our two teenage daughters).

I have a B&B near Victoria and many of my guests have really enjoyed the whale watching tours with Seaking Adventures [seakingadventures.com]. Other ones I've heard good reports about are Prince of Whales and Sooke Coastal Explorations.

The one thing I wanted to do at Victoria was go on a whale watching tour but they will not take anyone on the zodiac boats with back problems. <BR> <BR>The younger people in our group did go out with the Prince of Whales company and had a great time (but got a bit of a backache themselves the next day.)