Whale Watching Off Of Pei

By Author: Rob Parker
Total Articles: 312
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When most people think of tourism on Prince Edward Island, they think of the Anne of Green Gables experience; driving around the Island and staying in one of the many bed and breakfasts, taking in the lush unique scenery and the amazing culture that the Island has shaped and retained over the decades.

Part of what makes Prince Edward Island unique, of course, is that it is an Island, and when you factor that in to your tourism experience, a much broader range of opportunities presents themselves. For many people, there is no greater symbol of the ocean and the freedom of nature than the whale. Whale watching is one of the most popular tourist activities in the world, and the waters around Prince Edward Island are teeming with several different species that call the North Atlantic home.

Types of whales that call PEI waters home

Most of the species of whale that can be found in the waters of Canada's maritime provinces, including Prince Edward Island, are migratory and are likely to be seen from June to September. Fortunately for whale watching fans, this season is also when the waters of the Atlantic tend ...
... to be the most predictable, making for ideal whale watching conditions all round. Let's take a look at some of the species that call these waters home.

Pilot whales. Most of the world's population of pilot whales (one of the most numerous species) live in the southern hemisphere, but there is a population of around 200,000 that call the north Atlantic home. Several dozen of these make the waters around PEI their year round home, and can not only be seen on tours but also from the shore on occasion.

Finback whale. These are the second largest animals in the world.

Humpback whales. One of the most widely distributed species in the world, the humpback is also famous for its acrobatics. They almost always show their flukes when diving, and are also well known for breeching (coming almost totally out of the water in an impressive aerial display).

Minke whale. Another acrobatic specimen.

Right whale. The rarest species of whale in the world, tour guides and tourists are mutually delighted and surprised to catch a glimpse of these over hunted cephalopods.

Dolphins and porpoises. The harbour porpoise and the white-sided dolphins are frequently seen around PEI. Sightings of the orca, a dolphin species that is more known for the northern Pacific Ocean are extremely rare.

In addition to these usual species, whale watchers out of PEI may be treated to the sight of an occasional stray whale not usually seen in those waters, such as the pygmy sperm whale and the beaked whale. All in all, the waters around Prince Edward Island are sure to offer you a whale watching experience that you won't soon forget!