It's been quite the year for Vancouver Island's Prince of Whales! From biosphere certification and a major TripAdvisor award to a new catamaran and rolling up their sleeves to help keep the Salish Sea clean, the team has been busy on and off the water.
The year opened with Prince of Whales celebrating a major milestone on the sustainability front – Biosphere Certification across its Vancouver, Victoria and Telegraph Cove locations.
This international sustainability certification reflects the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship, including its commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
“All locations becoming Biosphere Certified recognizes our commitment to our sustainability goals,” notes Nik Coutinho, Prince of Whales’ Sales and Marketing Manager, “and we’re proud to standardize sustainable practices at every operational level.”
The organization has adopted a variety of sustainable measures, including efforts to diminish its carbon footprint and eliminate single-use plastics. And as a member of 1% for the Planet, Prince of Whales pledges a minimum of 1% of its annual revenue to environmental causes. Additionally, the company partners with organizations to amplify conservation efforts and supports local initiatives through its Climate Positive designation.
Team members also gave their time through the year to protect the Salish Sea, partnering with the Surfrider Foundation and others to conduct zodiac-based cleanups of Victoria's Inner Harbour and Gorge Waterway.
One summer outing alone collected a whopping 380 kilograms of debris – pollutants that can degrade water quality, release microplastics and toxins, and pose severe risks to marine wildlife, including entanglement and habitat disruption.
“Our goal is simple: to protect the Salish Sea for future generations. Every piece of debris we remove is a step towards preserving the marine life and ecosystems that make this place so special,” Nik notes.
Sharing the story of the Salish Sea and its wildlife is at the heart of the Prince of Whales' efforts, and its fourth Salish Sea Class catamaran, designed by renowned naval architect Greg Marshall, will help in those efforts.
"We look forward to sharing the beauty of our region with even more enthusiasts while ensuring we do so responsibly and sustainably," notes Prince of Whales owner and founder, Alan McGillivray.
Scheduled to launch in Spring 2026, the catamaran will join sister ships, the Salish Sea Eclipse, Salish Sea Dream and Salish Sea Freedom, which currently host whale-watching tours and private charters throughout British Columbia.
The impact of all these measures culminated this summer, with Prince of Whales being recognized in Tripadivsor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2024 as the best experience in Canada. The award, honouring businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placed them among Tripadvisor’s top 10 per cent of worldwide listings.
“We are honoured to be included in TripAdvisor travellers’ favourites. Being the Top Experience in Canada reinforces our dedication to excellent whale-watching,” Nik says. “We thank our communities and most of all, our incredible team and guests from all over the world who have made this possible.”
Zodiac tours continue through fall and winter
The cooler months still offer lots to see and experience around the Salish Sea! Prince of Whales' Zodiac tours continue through fall and winter.
Thrilling 3 1/2-hour zodiac tours leave from Victoria's Inner Harbour year-round – suit up in a Mustang Survival Suit and board the 12-passenger Zodiacs for an awe-inspiring whale-watching adventure in search of orcas, humpback whales, and a variety of other marine wildlife, including sea otters, sea lions, porpoises. September and October are unique in the Salish Sea; the Humpbacks gather just off our doorstep in huge numbers before heading south for the winter.
Learn more and plan your adventure today at princeofwhales.com