Company Description

The Five Star Advantage

Often imitated but never duplicated, Five Star is the original family owned and operated whale watching company. As founders of whale watching as a staple activity in Victoria and over 30 years of experience, we have some of the most hands on, passionate and knowledgeable crew in the marine industry. Guest comfort and a high level of customer service is paramount in all we do.

Our office is conveniently located in Victoria?s vibrant downtown at the renowned Fairmont Empress hotel and our tours depart a short walk from the office in Victoria?s lively inner harbour.

?Turning Heads since 1985? is much more than just our catchy tag line. It is also a description of what Five Star Whale Watching has consistently done with innovative vessel design and attention to the passenger experience. It also explains why we are Victoria?s longest running and most respected Whale Watching Company!

Our Mission

Our Mission is to Educate, Advocate, Inspire, Preserve & Protect the incredible Marine Environment. Join one of our tours and Discover why ?We Like Our Whales Wild?!

Company History

Eric & Kathy, our original owners, began as operating fishing charters in 1985 but soon realized the growing attraction of watching Orcas (Killer Whales) & other Whales in their natural environment. So began Five Star Whale Watching, now Victoria?s longest running family owned Whale Watching company. In 2017 Andrew, who had been part of the Management team at Five Star since 2006, purchased the company when Eric & Kathy retired. 

 

The Five Star Movement

Founders of environmental movement to protect the SRKW?s with rules and guidelines surrounding West Coast whale watching ? founding partner of the PWWA and avid supporters of the Centre for Whale research.

We incorporate the reduce reuse recycle motto in all we do. We live in one of the best places in the world to enjoy whale watching ? let our expert staff and crew educate and inspire you with the wonders of the Salish Sea.

Join us for one of the most comprehensive educational and exciting trips you will ever experience! We are committed to environment stewardship and are part of the 1% To the Planet. Our everyday operations are conducted in the most environmentally responsible manner possible.

We are proud to be Victoria?s first World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) Certified Responsible Whale Watching Operator.We fly the Whale Warning Flag on all our vessels to warn other boaters Whales are in the area.We are part of the Whale Reporting Network that provides alerts to commercial vessels that Whales are in the area and to slow down. The data also is used for research purposes.Following the mantra of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replenish, Restore in our daily operations.Follow and often exceed the Best Practice Guidelines for Whale & Wildlife viewing.Our Promise

While you can never guarantee a wild animal in their natural habitat, we at Five Star are confident that over 98% of the time in peak season months we will be able to show you whales in the wild! Despite industry leading success rates in whale sightings, there is the rare occasion that our whale friends decide to play hide and seek. If this happens between May 1st ? October 31st we invite you to join us again on a complimentary tour, weather and space permitting.

Products & Services

Educational experiences ,   Whale watching tours ,   Sightseeing Tours ,   All Whale Watching Tours ,   our history ,   Vessels ,   Whale Watching ,   Wildlife ,   Comprehensive trips ,   Sea Otters ,   Orcas sightings in the Salish Sea ,   Research & Conservation ,   Gift ,   Killer Whales ,   Responsible Whale Watching ,   Responsible tourism ,   About Us ,   Crew ,   FAQ ,   Contact ,   Private Charters ,   Environmental stewardship  

Keywords

Whale Watching ,   Sightseeing Tours  

Amenities and More

Locally owned and operated