Would you take a whale watching trip from Oracs Island or Vancouver BC?

Neither. I'd take a whale watching trip from Friday Harbor (on San Juan Island), or, alternatively, from Victoria, BC.

There was an article in today's Seattle Times about a mother Orca keeping her stillborn offspring by her side, and the thrust of the article was that the population is shrinking due to diminishing salmon runs, water pollution, and whale-watching tour boat activity. There is not much we humans can do about the salmon run (quit overfishing?) or water pollution, but we could stop harassing these beautiful creatures. Go to Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island; there are frequent sightings from there and no boats are involved. We are loving the orcas to death, literally.

no need to go as far as either of those. head for Anacortes and see the guys at Island Adventures. https://www.island-adventures.com. had multiple outstanding Orca viewing trips with them. and Anacortes is a decent little town to kill time either before or after your trip.