What will we see?

This can be a tough one for us to answer. We always like to remind our guests that nature can be extremely unpredictable, and while you will have an experienced wildlife guide at the wheel, sometimes nature is just not on our side! Check out the "Wildlife" tab for a list of all of the common sightings in our area.

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What should I wear?

Regardless of if it's windy, cloudy, rainy or even a beautiful sunny day, it's ALWAYS colder once we get out there on the water. You will be provided with a survival suit designed to keep you warm in harsh environments but it's always good to bring layers just in case it's colder than expected. If it happens to be warmer than expected, you can always remove them. Sunglasses are an advantage as they shield your eyes from the wind, and also remove the glare shining off of the water and boat.

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Will we get wet?

There is always a possibility of getting wet on our tours as we operate an open-air boat exposed to the elements. The scale ranges from a nice ocean mist, to absolutely soaked. While the survival suits are heavily water RESISTANT, they are not waterproof and your clothes underneath may get wet. We pack a waterproof bin for guests' personal belongings and plastic bags are provided to protect cell phones.

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What should I bring with me?

Our tours last 3+ hours but it's always best just to bring the essentials. We encourage everyone to bring water as dehydration can sneak up on you quite fast during a sunny day on the water. A snack or two may be beneficial but usually not required. Sunglasses (even on cloudy days) plus a hat and some gloves (on colder days) are really all you need to be prepared. If you're a photographer, you're welcome to bring your own equipment, but every tour does include a free photo album! We recommend anywhere between 200mm and 600mm for telephoto lenses. Having a variable zoom such as a 100mm-400mm lens is optimal.

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Will I get sea sick?

From past experience, we would definitely prefer to avoid cases of sea sickness and this usually means rescheduling a tour if we're expecting some crazy weather. However, sea sickness can occur in all conditions. That being said, Poseidon's Chariot is a vessel that ultimately helps prevent sea sickness. Being an open-air boat helps everyone take nice big breaths of fresh air, the catamaran design allows for more stability, and we're sitting relatively close to sea level which helps us focus on the horizon and reduces the amount of "roll" we might feel. If you're unsure if you're prone to sea sickness, that's OK! Again, our vessel helps us avoid it and your guide has a few tricks up his sleeve to hopefully prevent any situations should they arise.

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Are there washrooms?

Poseidon's Chariot is NOT equipped with a washroom so we always highly encourage our guests to do their business before we depart. We are prepared for most cases of "I can't hold it", though we will not be discussing those specifics in this forum.

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Why Sooke?

Operating out of Sooke definitely has its advantages. Sure, we get far less business than the companies in Victoria, but to us that's a benefit. We can keep our business small, consistent and familial. Our goal is to provide our guests with an intimate and private experience with the wildlife. This means not having to worry about another boat cutting in front of us during a "WOW!" moment and being able to spend the majority of the tour alone with the wildlife. Sooke gives us this option as we sit near the edge of the range of most boats leaving from Victoria. On top of this, Sooke boasts incredible landscapes to appreciate as we search for wildlife. Operating from Sooke is really the perfect way to escape the business of downtown Victoria and truly appreciate what we have to offer here on the West Coast.