Last week’s sighting of a grey whale in False Creek and of hundreds of dolphins in Lions Bay have given a boost to local whale watching companies.
Sofia Joensuu, a naturalist with Vancouver Whale Watch in Southwest Richmond, said yesterday there’s been an increase in calls. “It definitely sparks interest … it makes people realize what we’ve got,” said Joensuu.
She added that the fishing village of Steveston, where Vancouver Whale Watch has operated for 12 years, is a great alternative to travelling all the way to Victoria for a tour.
Richard McFeeters, a tourist from Northern Ireland who was aboard the Vancouver Whale Watch boat yesterday, said he chose to leave from Richmond to save time.
“The shuttle picked me up from downtown … it’s so convenient,” said McFeeters, who found the tour company on tripadvisor.com.
With whale watching season beginning in mid-April, the odds of spotting a whale improve to roughly 98 per cent in June, July and August.
Most whale watching companies guarantee a sighting, which means clients who don’t see a whale can return for free at any time until they see one.
