Whale Watching · CAMPBELL RIVER
The good Campbell River whale watching tours fill up weeks ahead in season and the best ones go first. Below: the 10 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend four hours exploring Discovery Passage, Johnstone Strait, or the Salish Sea from Campbell River. Choose a covered boat with indoor seats or a zodiac-style vessel. Guides such as Laura, Tyler, Jarek, and Quinn share local knowledge while you watch for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, bears, and eagles.
“There was at least 15 whales, amazing. The Stella sea lions were funny to watch.”
Join Eagle Eye Adventures for four hours among the Discovery Islands with a naturalist guide such as Gibson, Nova, or Andreus. Spot whales, dolphins, bears, seals, and sea lions, listen through a hydrophone, then race through Devils Hole and Aaron Rapids.
“Great, knowledgeable guide. We got to see humpback whales and orcas. Great experience.”
Leave Campbell River’s Coast Marina for four hours among the Discovery Islands, with naturalist commentary, snacks, and a heated covered vessel. Guides such as Guy and Janet share wildlife knowledge and Homalco culture while you search for humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, sea lions, birds, and possibly bears or otters.
“Fantastic whale watching experience. Small group, lots of whales. The naturalist was quite informative.”
You’ll cruise from Campbell River through Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait in a Zodiac or covered 12-passenger boat. Guides such as Jack, Martin, Alex, and Steve interpret the wildlife, while you enjoy homemade lunch, hot drinks, and possible sightings of humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, bears, and sea lions.
“Amazing trip, Steve was very knowledgeable. Great boat, ideal for the job. Had to wear the float suits, but a small price to pay. We had the pleasure of seeing at least 12 separate Humpbacks during our trip, including one breaching. Seals and sessions too. A small point, but for me one that makes the difference, lunch. It could have been easy to have bought in something commercial. No, we were treated to a "homemade" wrap, granola bar, dried fruit and cookies.”
Join Eagle Eye Adventures for a six-hour Zodiac trip from Campbell River through Discovery Passage and its forested islands. A naturalist or biologist guides the search for humpback, gray, and minke whales, with possible orcas, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. Lunch, gear, washrooms, and a hydrophone are included.
“geweldig en zelfs 2 orka's gezien dus wat wil je nog meer”
Spend a full day with a captain and Naturalist Guide exploring the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. Choose a covered boat or outdoor Zodiac, with lunch, hot drinks, and a restroom onboard. Orcas are the main target, but humpbacks, dolphins, bears, seals, sea lions, and eagles may appear.
“Our Australian guide, I think his name was Brad, was fantastic. He was so patient and knowledgeable and clearly loved the environment. We saw Orca, humpbacks, harbour seals, seal lions catching fish, mink, eagles and eaglets. We stopped at a beautiful little place where a very nice lunch was provided, along with hot and cold drinks and a highlight was a little humming bird feeding there. I would highly recommend this trip. Take a woolly hat, as although temperatures are high, the sea spray and breeze are very cold on the ears and having the hood of the float suit up stops you turning your head and also catches the…”
Join Discovery West Adventures from Campbell River for a six-hour whale-watching trip on a covered, heated 30-foot boat. Captain Josh and the local team search for humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, seals, and seasonal bears, with lunch, drinks, a shore stop, and a toilet included.
“This was a great day out. Josh was very knowledgeable and engaging about what we were looking for and was full of interesting facts about the local wildlife. The weather stayed fine for us and we saw hump back whales, a family of Orcas, a small seal colony but the icing on the cake at the end of the day, was a hump back whale breaching and having some playtime in the water. Josh was happy to stay out longer than planned so we could all enjoy the show that was being staged for us. A once in a lifetime experience 😍”
Join Eagle Eye Adventures for a six-hour covered cruise from Campbell River, with lunch, a hydrophone, and an English-speaking naturalist or biologist. Guides such as Benjy and Brian have led highly praised outings, spotting humpbacks, dolphins, seals, sea lions, eagles, bears, and even orcas.
“It was an incredible day. Brian was an excellent captain and biologist who knew so much about the area and its wildlife. Took a while to find Orcas, but we did! Would highly recommend this company for the comfort and cleanliness of their boat, to the excellent lunch and the best tour guide!”
Join Campbell River Whale Watching and WILDCOAST Adventures for a full day split between remote-water kayaking and wildlife viewing aboard Wild 1. Guides including Laura and Stephen provide instruction, lunch, warm drinks, safety gear, and access to places a standard day tour cannot reach.
“The whole tour was beautiful, both the kayaking and the whale and wildlife watching tour by boat. The guides were super friendly, there was a delicious lunch and we were able to observe and learn a lot about Canada's wilderness. All in all, perfect and absolutely worth the money!!”
From Campbell River, join a Homalco First Nations guide and skipper for a five-hour trip to Aupe, a former village site. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, eagles, and bears, then walk 2 km, hear local stories, and make a cedar bracelet. Boats have heated indoor seats, outdoor viewing, and a toilet.
“Ron, our skipper, and Janet, our guide, did an amazing job on our People, Water, and Land Campbell River Tour. We started the morning meeting up at the tour office and gift store right on the dock at the marina. Coffee was available and we enjoyed getting to know our fellow tour passengers. Soon, Janet came in and led us to the boat. On board, Ron gave us a thorough safety briefing and let us know what to expect aboard. We got underway right on time, leaving Campbell River and heading north around Quadra Island. We soon had our first sighting, a pod of white sided dolphins off in the…”
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