Stubbs Island or Mackay
 

I've seen recommendations on this site for both Stubbs-Island and Mackay Whale Watching tours in the Telegraph Cove area.

Can anyone offer comments or preferences regarding either one?

Thank you in advance.

Mackay has a faster boat, so can go further if Killer Whales are not in the immediate Port McNeill area. They do a good job of interpretation and serve an excellent lunch!
Mackay's run 1 trip daily leaving Port McNeill at 10 am and generally returning about 3pm or so - although last year it was nearly 4 when we got back.
A German photographer, Rolph Hicker, has been sailing with Mackay's for several years and offers the advantage of an underwater camera which can be viewed through a monitor below deck. Last Sept. we got in to a pod of 400 to 600 Pacific White-sided Dolphins and watching them underwater was almost as amazing as watching them at the water's surface.
Mackay's boat, the Naiid [sp?]Explorer was designed and built in 1999 especially for whale watching.

Stubb's Island run 3 or so trips daily of about 3 hours duration. They have an on board naturalist and probably do a bit better job for people who know little or nothing about Killer Whale ecology or behaviour. Their two vessels are slower than Mackay's but do provide a good viewing platform for watching the sea creatures.

Both companies are strongly commited to protecting the whales and the amazing ecology of the area. My personal choice is Mackay's but both are good.

cheers

Jerry