Post Last Modified – May 07, 2021
Experience Mackay Whale Watching Tours in Port McNeill British Columbia
If you are planning a visit to Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada in British Columbia, and making your way up to the northern section, then I highly recommend putting Mackay Whale Watching Tours on your things to do list.
Discover the Whales of Northern Vancouver Island
Mackay Whale Watching Tours Since 1981
The Mackay family are true pioneers in the whale watching industry, with over 30 years of experience on the water. A wonderful family successful business with a whale watching tour that will leave you breathless, as you explore some of the most beautiful scenery found on the west coast.
The Mackay are professionals in the industry and will do their best to find the best location for whale watching and viewing of other sea animals on the day of your tour.
We had a fabulous day aboard their specially designed whale watching vessel and truly was the highlight of our recent visit to Vancouver Island. Check out my brief video showing a few clips of our day at sea with the Mackays.
Dont forget to turn your speakers up!
Mackay Whale Watching Tours – YouTube Video
Enjoy Port McNeill British Columbia
Situated just to the south of Port Hardy (approximately 44 kilometers) on the north tip of the island, Port McNeill is tiny fishing and forestry community with a population of around 2700.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the town has it all!
From kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, to world famous grizzly bear and whale watching tours, theres always something in this northern community for you to enjoy.
The town is referred to as the
For us, it was the excitement of a true remote whale watching excursion away from the big city tours and crowds. We were not disappointed and the tour was amazing!
All Aboard Mackays Naiad Explorer
Captain Bill and Daughter Nicole Mackay are the friendliest and most knowledgeable people you will find, always eager to assist and answer any questions you may have during your tour.
The comfortable Naiad Explorer is not too big and not too small, just perfect in size for this type of adventure!
In fact, the Mackay family had this vessel built specifically for whale watching tours, and is the newest and most innovative certified passenger vessel now on the west coast.
A seventeen meter craft that is equipped with Arneson drives (a surface-piercing propeller system), making it silent underwater.
This means sea life cannot hear the Naiad Explorer approaching, and will not scare them away because of the noise of the engines. This makes for spectacular close up viewing of whales and other creatures of the sea!
On board is also an acoustic listening device (hydrophone) for underwater listening. At one point when we were dead stopped to view a few Orca or commonly known as Killer Whales.
We were actually able to hear the sounds they make underwater, just adding to the thrill of watching these beautiful creatures up close and personal!
A Great Day Whale Watching
The Mackays offer a full 5 hour tour, including a light lunch and snacks. Your captain will set off from the dock in any direction that the last sightings of whales have been reported.
The ocean is huge and there is no guarantee whales will be found, but with Captain Mackay behind the wheel, your chances are excellent.
From Humpback and Orca Whales, Sea Lions and Sea Otters, your chances of experiencing the west coasts sea life in this area of British Columbia are excellent!
During the voyage you will pass by some of the most beautiful northern coastal scenery to be found, making for excellent picture opportunities and just relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors while at sea.
The crew and captain are the most friendly and knowledgeable you will find in the industry, and when whales are spotted, they can actually tell you who the whale is, how old and from what family of whales they come from.
BC Whale Watching with Mackay
With Canada Marine Safety Qualified Experienced Captains operating a state of the art vessel for these waters, rest assured your tour will be as safe and comfortable as it possibly can be.
We had wonderful time and experience with the captain, crew and other passengers on our day aboard the Naiad Explorer, and we cant wait to experience this whale watching adventure in this part of 🍁 Beautiful British Columbia again!
Tours run daily from June to October and reservations are recommended in advance do to the popularity of this type of outdoor adventure on Vancouver Island during these months.
Below, I have listed the official website to Mackay Tours, where you can access much more detailed information on tours, prices, reservations and much more.
I’ve also listed the Official British Columbia Tourism link below to their website page for your convenience. I’ve directed the link to their page on Vancouver Island. It’s filled with excellent information on everything this beautiful part of British Columbia has to offer.
🌲 Hello BC Tourism – Vancouver Island
Safe and Healthy Travels!
Although our tour was in collaboration with Mackay Whale Watching Tours, rest assured all content and opinions are that of the author and reflect my personal experience only.
✨ Did You Know
“Jade Became The Official Mineral Emblem Of British Columbia, Canada Back In 1968.”
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