October 2022 - Van Isle Marina

Your Complete Guide to Whales of the Pacific

One of the great things about living on the West Coast is that we are privy to an amazing diversity of wildlife includes the whales of the Pacific.

If you are a boater, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen seals, dolphins, transient or resident orcas and other whales as you cruise the waters around Vancouver Island.

While orcas and seals are fairly easy to identify, it isn’t always that easy to know what you are looking at.

This quick guide will help you identify the whales of the Pacific and teach you the do’s and don’ts of interacting with these amazing creatures.

What are the Types of Whales Found in the Pacific?

Along with orcas, dolphins and porpoises, whales belong to the order Cetacea, which consists of completely aquatic mammals.

There are 8 types of whales found in the Pacific, including:

Grey whale
Humpback Whale
Blue Whale
Minke Whale
Sperm Whale
Short-Finned Pilot Whale
North-Pacific Right Whale
Fin Whale

Gray Whale

Gray whales are a species of baleen whale, which means that they have a comb-like plate in their mouth that serves to sift plankton from the water. As a migratory species, the gray whale travels between their breeding grounds in Mexico through the Pacific to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. They are typically dark gray, mottled with lighter gray. Their throat has 4 deep ridges running backward from the mouth to their short flippers.

Average Length: 44 to 48 feet

Life Span: 50 to 70 years

Status: Protected

Humpback Whale

Humpback whales are a species of baleen whale. Their heads are knobby, they have long pectoral fins and a torpedo-shaped body that is narrow and tapered at both ends. Male humpbacks can produce a song that can last anywhere from 4 to 33 minutes.

Average Length: 46 to 56 feet

Life Span: 45 to 50 years

Status: Endangered

Blue Whale

The blue whale is a species of baleen whale and is the largest mammal to have ever lived. Featuring a torpedo-shaped body, they are blue-gray in colour, with two pectoral fins, a small dorsal fin and a broad tail.

Average Length: 70 to 90 feet

Life Span: 80 to 90 years

Status: Endangered

Minke Whale

The smallest of the baleen whales, the minke resembles a miniature humpback whale, except that their sickle-shaped dorsal fin is much more pronounced.

Average Length: 35 feet

Life Span: up to 50 years

Status: Stable

Sperm Whale

The sperm whale is a species of toothed whale, meaning simply that they have teeth instead of a baleen plate. The most notable features of the sperm whale are the huge, blocky head and the narrow lower jaw. They are generally dark blue-gray or brown in colour, with short pectoral fins and a stubby dorsal fin.

Average Length: up to 79 feet

Life Span: 60 to 80 years

Status: Vulnerable

Short-Finned Pilot Whale

The short-finned pilot whale is one of two species of Cetacean in the genus Globicephala, together with the long-finned pilot whale. It features a bulbous, melon-like head, a body that more closely resembles that of a dolphin, and a uniform dark gray colour.

Average Length: 12 to 24 feet

Life Span: 35 to 60 years

Status: Least Concern

North Pacific Right Whale

A species of baleen whale, the North-Pacific Right Whale resembles a shorter version of the humpback whale. It is predominantly dark gray in colour, with some white on its underside. It features two short, rounded pectoral fins and no dorsal fin.

Average Length: 45 to 64 feet

Life Span: up to 70 years

Status: Endangered (under Endangered Species Act), Depleted (under the Marine Mammal Protection Act)

Fin Whale

The fin whale is a species of baleen whale and is known to be the second-largest species of whale. It has a long, sleek torpedo-shaped body, with a small dorsal fin set close to the tail. Its body is tapered at both ends, with slender pectoral fins.

Average Length: 75 to 85 feet

Life Span: 80 to 90 years

Status: Endangered (under Endangered Species Act), Depleted (under the Marine Mammal Protection Act)

For more information and images see this guide to whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Pacific Ocean from thewhaletrail.org

What to do When You Sight a Whale

Put your engine in neutral idle. Whales are sensitive to acoustic disturbances, such as from boat motors, echo sounders, and fish finders
Stay 100 meters away. By remaining at least 100m away from the whale, you keep yourself and the whale out of harm.
Report violations. If you see another boater who is not following the rules, report them to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Photograph the whale. Use your phone or camera to capture the memory. Whale-watching trips, such as those offered by the Pacific Whale Foundation, offer a fantastic opportunity to photograph whales.
Report the sighting. The WhaleReport app, from the BC Cetacean Sightings Network, generates a report that informs shipmasters and pilots of whale sightings in their vicinity.

What Not to do When You Spot a Whale

Well-intentioned boaters can often disturb whales and other marine life without even thinking about it. The best way to observe whales is by standing onshore and using binoculars, but if you happen to come across whales while you are out on your boat, there are a few things you should never do.

Here’s a quick list of what not to do when whales are nearby:

Do not swim among them. You can easily get pinned and drown.
Do not encircle them or goad them into moving with your boat. Whales are capable of causing significant damage if they feel threatened.
Do not park your boat in their path. If a whale is preparing to surface when you block its path, you can end up being thrown from your boat.
Do not photograph the whale with a drone. Aside from the whale’s sensitivity to acoustic disturbances, they may feel threatened and may react accordingly.

For more information on safe whale watching, read this guidance on watching marine wildlife from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Catch sight of a Pacific Whale from the Comfort of Your Own Yacht

Do you want to experience the beauty of the whales of the Pacific on your own terms? It could be time to invest in a yacht to explore the waters around Vancouver Island.

At Van Isle Marina, our yacht sales team is ready to help you find the best recreational boat for your needs. Talk to our crew about your next boat purchase today.

A Guide to Picking Your Perfect Boat Length

If you are new to boating or looking to purchase your first yacht, you may wonder which boat length is the right one to choose.

Getting a boat that is the right size is key to being able to enjoy life on the water. You want to find a yacht that is small enough to be easily maneuvered while still being big enough to hold your family, and your fishing gear, comfortably.

Not sure where to start when it comes to finding the right boat length measurement? This guide will cover the factors that influence the size of boat you need – from the number of people using it, to what you are going to use it for.

For more general advice on selecting your first yacht, see this guide to choosing the right yacht for your needs.

What is the Average Yacht Length?

You only have to look around a local marina to see that boats come in a multitude of lengths. Everything from a small fishing skiff to a 200ft long mega yacht and everything in between.

Because the length of a boat determines the safety equipment a boat must carry under Canadian law, all vessels are categorized into one of four groups:

Pleasure Craft under 6m
Pleasure Craft over 6m
Non-pleasure craft under 6m
Non-pleasure craft over 6m

Knowing which category your yacht falls into allows you to easily identify the safety equipment requirements as set out in the Transport Canada Safe Boating guide.

In general, pleasure craft vessels range between 7 to 15m (25-50ft) in length, but there is a huge difference between driving a 7m yacht and a 15m+ one.

Which yacht length you ultimately choose will depend on several factors.

How to Choose the Right Boat Length

The right size boat for one family may not work for another. The yacht length you ultimately choose will be influenced by:

The number of people who will be using it
The intended use of the boat
The type and model of boat you prefer
The space or location you have to store the boat
Your budget for both the initial purchase and ongoing costs

Be sure to consider each of these factors when deciding what boat length is right for you.

The Right Boat Length for Different-Sized Families

Most people purchase a boat because they dream of lazy days cruising with family or the excitement of a fishing expedition with their friends. If you want to be able to bring other people along for the ride, you must ensure the boat is big enough for everyone.

The best way to find out if a boat fits your family and all your boating needs is to go together to try it out. And remember, when considering how many passengers can fit onboard the boat, it’s not the number that counts, it’s the weight! Maximum capacity for pleasure boats under 6m can be found on the compliance notice that is posted onboard.

Tip: When choosing a boat length, add up to one meter more space than you need. This will allow a little extra room for people to move around safely and comfortably.

It’s also worth noting that different types of boats may have the same length but a different capacity. For example, while 6m fishing boats can hold 4 or 5 anglers comfortably, similarly sized deck boats could hold double that amount as they have different seating layouts.

Which Boat Size is Best for Different Activities?

Another thing to consider when choosing the length of your boat is what activities you are looking to do in it. The purpose and the type of location you will be using it in can have a bearing on what size boat is the best.

For example, if you want to fish for salmon in the ocean, a larger boat is required than if you are freshwater fish

ing. This is because a bigger boat has a longer boat range to reach the good fishing grounds and can stand up to the rougher ocean waves. On the other hand, a smaller vessel works best to get into the nooks of a lake or river fishing spot.

Some recommended boat lengths for different activities include:

Cruising / leisure – 6m – 9m (20-30ft)
Offshore fishing – 9m+ (30+ft)
Fresh water fishing – 4.5-6m (15-20ft)
Watersports (water skiing etc) – 5 – 7.6m (17-25ft)

For more information on boat types and what boat length you should buy based on various boating activities see this guide by boatingvalley.com.

Do I Have Somewhere to Store My Yacht?

One vital thing to consider when viewing motor yachts is whether you have suitable storage facilities.

If you plan to store the yacht in a marina, make sure suitable moorage or dry storage space is available. There may be some limits on the size of boat that can be hauled and stored.

If you plan to store your new yacht at home, make sure you can get a trailer big enough, that your vehicle can tow it and that you have somewhere safe to park it on your property.

What Size Boat Can Your Budget Fit?

Of course, budget is a big deciding factor for most people when choosing a new boat.

You may need to make compromises to get the size of boat you want for the budget you have such as choosing a smaller new boat or opting for a second-hand boat to get the size you need.

Tip: Remember that all boats need to have regular maintenance which will cost more for a larger boat.

Get Help Finding the Right Size Yacht for Your Family

At Van Isle Marina, our yacht sales team are experts in finding the right size boat to fit your family and the activities you wish to do in it. We are an exclusive supplier of Pursuit boats. With a range of offshore, dual console and sports yachts available ranging from 7.8m – 14m in length, there is a model to suit everyone.

Located in Sidney, BC, Van Isle marina can accommodate yachts up to 200ft (60m) and beyond in our docks and can haul out boats up to 70ft for dry storage.

West Coast Whale Species and How to Identify Them