Whale watching in Mackay, Australia, aboard the Naiad Explorer, offering an unforgettable marine experience.

Mackay Whale Watching Tours | Port McNeill, BC {Review}

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Naiad Explorer Mackay Whale Watching
Post Last Modified – May 07, 2025 ¦ gr8traveltips.com

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Mackay Whale Watching Tours In Port McNeill, British Columbia

If you are planning a visit to 🌲 Vancouver Island in the Province of British Columbia 🍁 Canada, I highly recommend putting …

🐳 Mackay Whale Watching Tours 🐳

on your “Must Do” travel list.

Discover the Whales of Northern Vancouver Island

Mackay Whale Watching Tours Since 1981

Mackay Whale Watching Tours

The Mackay family are true pioneers in the whale watching industry, with over 30 years experience, on the water.
A wonderful family owned business with a 🐳 whale watching tour, that will leave in awe, as you explore some of the most beautiful scenery to be found, on the west coast!

The Mackay’s 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. It truly was the highlight of our visit, to this part of Vancouver Island.

First, check out my brief 📹 video, showing a few clips of our day at sea, with the Mackay’s.

Don’t forget to turn your speakers up! 🔊

Mackay Whale Watching Tours – YouTube Video



Enjoy Port McNeill British Columbia

Mackay Whale Watching Logo

Situated just to the south of the City of Port Hardy (approximately 44 kilometers), located on the north tip of Vancouver Island, Port McNeill is a tiny; 🎣 fishing and 🌲 forestry industry community, with a population of around 2,700.

For outdoor enthusiasts, this town has it all!

From outstanding;
🚣 kayaking, 🤿 scuba diving, 🎣 fishing, to superb 🐻 grizzly bear and 🐳 whale watching tours, there’s always something in this northern community, for you to enjoy and experience.

The town is referred to as the …

“Gateway To The Broughton Archipelago”

The anticipation of taking an exclusive and non overly touristy whale watching excursion,in a more remote location, seems just perfect!

An experience, well away from the busy and crowded tours in the city, was exactly what we were looking for. We were not disappointed and our tour and day out on the water was … Amazing!

All Aboard Mackay’s Naiad Explorer

Naiad Explorer Makay Whale Watching Tours

Captain Bill and his daughter Nicole Mackay, are the friendliest and most knowledgeable people, you will find. Their extensive expertise with the marine and wildlife in region, was amazing.

They were always eager to assist and answer any questions guests may have had, during the tour.

Mackay Whale Watching Tours Crew

The comfortable 🛳 Naiad Explorer vessel, is not too big and not too small either. It was just perfect in size, for this type of adventure. In fact, the Mackay family had this vessel built specifically for; whale watching tours.

It is the most innovative and certified passenger vessel situated on the west coast, for these types of boat tours.

⚓ A seventeen meter craft that is equipped with; Arneson drives. A surface-piercing propeller system, making it silent underwater.

Orca Whale Port McNeill BC

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 marine life, as well.
 

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.

It just added to the thrill and excitement of watching these beautiful creatures, up close and personal!

A Great Day Whale Watching

Sea Lions British Columbia

The Mackay’s offer a full 5 hour tour, including a light lunch and snacks. Your captain will set off from the dock in any direction, heading to the last known sightings, of whales recently reported.

The ocean is huge and there is no guarantee whales will be found. Rest assured, with {Captain Mackay} behind the wheel and his years of experience, your chances are excellent!

Captain Bill Mackay Whale Watching Tour

From Humpback and Orca Whales, Sea Lions and Sea Otters, your chances of experiencing the west coasts sea life in this part of British Columbia, are excellent!

During the voyage, you will pass by some of the most beautiful northern coastal scenery, making for excellent 📸 photo opportunities. As well, there’s plenty of time to just sit back, relax and enjoy the great outdoors, on the water.

Mackay Whale Watching Tours Staff

The crew and captain are the most friendly and knowledgeable you will find in the industry. When whales are spotted, they can actually tell you; who the whale is {their name}, how old and what family of whales they come from!

Wow!!



BC Whale Watching with Mackay

Lighthouse Vancouver Island

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.

Final Thoughts Banner

We had wonderful time and experience with the captain, crew and other passengers, on our day aboard the … Naiad Explorer.

We can’t wait to experience this whale watching adventure once again, in this part of …

🍁 Beautiful British Columbia 🍁

Tours run daily from {June to October} and reservations are highly recommended well 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. You can access more detailed information on their; tours, prices and reservations.

🗺 Be sure to check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for their exact location. 🗺

MACKAY Whale Watching

🐳 Mackay Tours 🐳

I’ve also listed the Official British Columbia Tourism website. The link directs you to their page on … Vancouver Island. It’s filled with excellent information on everything this beautiful part of British Columbia, has to offer.

Super Natural British Columbia Logo

🌲 Hello BC Tourism – Vancouver Island 🌲

🔖 I Only Endorse Products/Services That Are Trusted, Verified &/Or, That I’ve Personally Used! 🔖

😎 Safe and Healthy Travels! 😎

signature of author and owner Robert Tellier at https://gr8traveltips.com

Although our tour was in collaboration with Mackay Whale Watching Tours, rest assured, all content and opinions are mine and reflect my personal experience only.

All personal 📸 photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected.
🚫 Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 🚫

✨   Did You Know …

“Jade Became The Official Mineral Emblem Of British Columbia, Canada Back In 1968.”
 

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Address:  1514 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill, BC V0N 2R0    Phone:  +1 250 956 9865

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