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April 23, 2026
Another Successful Earth Day Power Hour Cleaning Up the Victoria Inner Harbour
This Earth Day, our team at Prince of Whales traded the docks for the shoreline to take part in Victoria’s Earth Day Power Hour, an inspiring city-wide cleanup that brought local businesses together for a shared purpose: protecting our beloved coast!
With a crew of 15, we split into three groups and set out from our base on Wharf Street, covering key areas around Victoria Inner Harbour. High-traffic spots like Ship Point and the surrounding waterfront walkways quickly revealed just how much litter can accumulate in places we pass every day.
As we moved through these familiar spaces, we began to notice just how much litter had been hiding in plain sight. Cigarette butts and food wrappers were everywhere, mixed with more unexpected items including clothing and even household materials. In one standout moment, our office team managed to haul away an entire basketball hoop, a reminder that coastal pollution comes in all shapes and sizes.
By the end of the hour, the impact of our collective effort was undeniable. Together, we removed:
- 25.25 kg of garbage
- 0.75 kg of recycling
- 837 cigarette butts
Areas that had been scattered with litter were visibly cleaner, and more importantly, that waste was prevented from entering the Salish Sea, where it could harm marine life and delicate ecosystems.
For a team that spends so much time on the water, this work feels especially meaningful. The shorelines we cleaned are part of the same environment we explore daily on our tours. Keeping them clean helps protect wildlife, preserve natural beauty, and ensure future guests can experience this region at its best.
Events like the Earth Day Power Hour also highlight the strength of our local community. We were proud to work alongside organizations like Surfrider Foundation Vancouver Island, Tourism Victoria, and Eagle Wing Tours, whose efforts helped make the event possible. Seeing so many groups come together reinforced how powerful collective action can be.
While it was just one hour, it reflects the true spirit of Earth Day, a shared commitment to protecting our environment, supporting our community, and caring for the waters we call home every day.
