Proud to be Victoria’s first WCA Certified Responsible Whale Watching Operator!

In July 2019 Five Star was Proud to become Victoria’s first WCA Certified Responsible Whale Watching Operator.

Our role as a partner of the World Cetacean Alliance

Five star whale watching is proud to be a partner of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) – the world’s largest marine conservation partnership. WCA partners include tourism businesses, individuals, NGO’s, scientists, performers, lawyers, and artists (to name just a few) working across the world on a united mission to protect whales and dolphins. The WCA is completely run by its partners, which means that we have an important say in the future for cetaceans and our oceans!


You can learn more about this special partnership with the WCA by clicking on the link below;

WCA Partner

May 2019 - Return of an old friend!

Back in 2006 Five Star launched a brand new vessel names "Fastcat" and it as the fastest Catamaran in Victoria's Whale Watching fleet! In 2013 Five Star sold the vessels to Stubb's Island Whale Watching as Five Star's original owners were looking to scale the business back a little. However, in February 2019 Stubb's Island contacted our new owner, Andrew, to see if he would be interested in buying Fastcat (now know as Kuluta) back as Stubb's was closing down. Andrew jumped at the chance and in May we proudly saw the return of our old friend :)

Kuluta is our latest addition to the fleet. She was custom designed and constructed by Armstrong (long time local boat builders) merging state of the art Aluminum Alloy Technology and highly efficient Arneson surface drive propulsion.  The Five Star high speed, deluxe catamaran was built specifically with whale watching in mind and offers our guests levels of safety, comfort, speed and stability unmatched by single-hulled vessels.

This striking silver catamaran accommodates 42 passengers and features an indoor heated cabin, on-board washroom facilities, outdoor elevated seating, and several decks with 360 degree all round viewing creating a level of comfort and convenience to satisfy adventurers of all ages. Our crews of experienced, trained naturalists are on board to guide and assist you throughout the journey.

Powered by Twin Cummins Turbo Eco-Diesel Engines & Arneson Drive System (low underwater noise), Kuluta is one of the most Whale Friendly & environmentally friendly vessels in the fleet.

She has a cruising speed of over 25 knots and can reach a top speed of 35 knots, yet her double hull design provides smoothness, stability and comfort for our passengers. Kuluta is a First Nations name for Porpoise!

2018 New Years Eve with Jpod off Victoria!

What an amazing way to spend the final day of 2018 but with Jpod off Victoria waterfront! We headed out west for our final tour of 2018 looking for Humpbacks and spotted blows South West of Race. We then heard a report of Orcas spotted near Oak Bay and after a quick stop at Race Rocks headed east. As we near Trial Island we could see the blows from several Orcas and heard over the radio it was Jpod :) As sat watching the Orcas we could see them spread out across the strait from the waterfront past Constance Bank. We could not have asked for a better way to finish our season or see out 2018 :) Click on the link below for more highlights;






Jpod off Victoria on New Years Eve!

2018 Season Highlights

Here are a few highlights from our 2018 Season, one of the busiest yet for Five Star Whale Watching and an incredible year for sightings. For the first time in Five Star's history we did tours right up to Dec 31st 2018 and our final tour of the season was with Jpod off Victoria :)  If you click on the link below you will see more highlights from 2018!

2018 Season Highlights



Five Star's new vessel - Salish Shadow!

In 2018 Five Star Whale Watching added a brand new vessel to its fleet,

Salish Shadow Coastal Explorer

Introducing our brand new Aluminum Coastal Explorer, Salish Shadow, designed for the serious Marine Adventure Seeker.  Our new vessel  leads the industry with its 108” bottom width and beam width of 9’ 6. This design feature markedly improves stability in rough water creating an extremely safe and dry riding marine adventure machine. Twin 300 Hp 4 stroke outboards provide the perfect balance of speed, low noise, high-efficiency and economy.  Our new vessel boasts a 55 degree bow entry for slicing through swells, an extra-large fuel capacity for long range trips and hydraulic steering for effortless control. With two outside viewing areas, a fully heated cabin area with washroom, this vessel provides the ultimate combination of excitement and comfort. 12 passenger capacity.


Click on the link below to see Salish Shadow in action;

Salish Shadow

Oct 28th 2017 - Polar Prince Arrival in Victoria

On Oct 28th we proudly escorted the C3 Vessel Polar Prince into Victoria. This marked the end of this historic 150 day journey! It was an unforgettable morning :) You can learn more at https://canadac3.ca/en/homepage/




Historic C3 Event

2017 Season Highlights!

Here are a few highlights from our amazing 2017 season! In 2017 we had a record number of encounters with Transient Orcas, we conducted more evening trips in 2017 than in the past 3 seasons put together and had so many breathtaking encounter with Orcas & Humpbacks :)

2017 was also the year our original owners, Eric & Kathy retired after starting the business back in 1985 and we wish them well. Our new owner is Andrew Lees who has been one of the managers at Five Star since 2006 and wanted to see the success of Five Star continue!

 

2017 Season Highlights

2016 Season Highlights

Here are a few images showing the highlights of our successful 2016 Whale Watching Season :) Thank you to all our wonderful guests who helped make 2016 one of our best seasons in many years. It was a tough year for the Resident Orcas, and we remember the good friends we lost this year, especially J28 & J34, RIP dear friends :( We also have to celebrate a record year for Transient Orca and Humpback Whale Sightings. The "Humpback Comeback" provided action not seen in the Salish Sea in over a 100 years :) We were also lucky enough to have several Fin Whale encounters in 2016!




2016 Season Highlights