Whale Watching · ORCA WATCHING TOURS

The 15 Best Orca Watching Tours

31 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Orca follow food, so the trips follow the orca: herring in the Norwegian fjords in midwinter, salmon in the Salish Sea in summer. These 15 are priced and timed, with a note on daylight and how much of it you get.

From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari - Reaching Skjervøy and searching for whales
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From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

1.Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,221 reviews · from $186Our pick

Set out from Tromsø at 8 AM on a heated boat bound for Skjervøy. Guides such as Juan, Raul, Pedro, or Holly may share whale facts while you watch for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, eagles, and seabirds. Thermal suits, lunch, hot drinks, and outdoor viewing decks are included.

“Very excited to see the whales and listen to the crew share the knowledge of whales in a very engaging way. I got seasick so really recommend people to have medicine in advance, which I didn’t. Despite the fact that I didn’t feel well half way of the journey, the crew were super nice and caring. And I was so lucky to see orcas right in front of my eyes, very close. Definitely worth it!”

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Orcas Island Whale Watching - What the three-and-a-half-hour route feels like
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Orcas Island Whale Watching

2.Orcas Island Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 442 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

From Orcas Island, join a 3.5-hour cruise with a captain and naturalist such as Phil, Ginny, Drew, or Sheila. Fast boats cover wide water in search of resident orcas, humpbacks, gray and minke whales, plus seals, sea lions, otters, and eagles. Dress warmly and plan around the ferry.

“Being new to the area & unfamiliar w/the ferry system, we excitedly booked a tour w/out taking in to account the ferry schedule & travel. The employees went above and beyond in giving us an opportunity to make a tour & it all worked out! The captain (Drew) & crew (Sean, Sophia & Katie) were diligent in finding whales to make sure everyone on board had a good experience! They're all so knowledgeable & nice! We had a great time. Would highly recommend.”

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Orca Cove Sea Kayaking - Getting fitted out on the 57-foot catamaran
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Orca Cove Sea Kayaking

3.Orca Cove Sea Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 322 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $175Top rated

Ride a fast boat from downtown Ketchikan to Orca Cove, then paddle 1.5 to 1.75 hours among rainforest islands and quiet coves. Guides such as Lucas, Matt, David, and AJ lead groups of up to six. Gear, dry bags, drinks, and smoked salmon are included.

“Amazing excursion, worth every penny for this experience, we ended up going out just 2 of us with Lucas as our guide who was very knowledgeable of the wildlife and surroundings went above and beyond taking great pics of us so we could just relax and enjoy our surroundings, on our way back at end of trip Devon even stopped and let us take some awesome video’s of a humpback he had spotted , recommend this trip , also lovely salmon dip made by Matt I polished off !”

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Bremer Canyon Killer Whale (Orca) Expedition - The Offshore Search for Killer Whales
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Bremer Canyon Killer Whale (Orca) Expedition

4.Bremer Canyon Killer Whale (Orca) Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · from $286

Join Naturaliste Charters at Bremer Bay Boat Harbour for an eight-hour expedition to the Bremer Canyon, where orcas gather from December to April. A 23-metre catamaran, marine biologist, fresh lunch, tea, and an experienced crew make the long ocean journey more comfortable.

“When the orca’s came up to the boat. The food was great too. Very friendly staff Got very close to the whales”

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Tarifa: Orca, Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Experience - What happens during the three-hour cruise
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Tarifa: Orca, Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Experience

5.Tarifa: Orca, Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 209 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

From Tarifa, you’ll cruise into the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and up to seven cetacean species may appear. The three-hour trip includes a live Spanish or English guide, responsible wildlife watching, and a free second outing if no cetaceans are seen.

“Bella esperienza, peccato non essere riusciti a vedere le orche e non aver avuto nessun tipo di rimborso, una famiglia da 4 persone ha una bella spesa in più scegliendo questo tour invece che quello dei delfini, non sarebbe male restituire qualcosa.”

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Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise - Leaving Seward at 12:30 p.m.
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Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise

6.Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

From Seward, Captain Tammy and the crew take you through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park in search of orcas. This four-hour cruise uses recent sightings rather than a fixed route, with binoculars, onboard narration, warm drinks, and a hydrophone for listening to whale calls.

“It was a great day for being on a boat in Steward. What a lovely town. During our boat ride we did not encounter any orcas but the captain did a great job of showing us all kinds of other wild and marine life, like Humpbacks, porpoises, seals, birds. The boat ride was very relaxing. A lot of people, including myself, took a nap. Food options are good and not too expensive - for today’s prices. If you are paying by credit card they open up a tab and hold your card. Everyone moves about the boat freely to capture a sighting of wildlife with the philosophy of having designated…”

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Bremer Bay: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition - Starting at Bremer Bay boat harbour
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Bremer Bay: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition

7.Bremer Bay: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 114 reviews · 8 hours · from $282

Join Naturaliste Charters aboard the Alison Maree for an eight-hour Bremer Canyon expedition. A marine biologist explains orca behavior and local wildlife while the crew searches for killer whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, dolphins, sharks, seals, and pelagic birds. Food, drinks, photos, and a daily blog are included.

“Amazing trip!!! We saw soooo many orcas, along with a blue whale, pilot whales, dolphins, sea lions and birds- but the orcas stole the show. We watched them for hours as they came right up along side the boat- truly amazing trip! We also loved speaking to the crew/marine biologists & learning about the wildlife! Thank you Naturaliste charters!!”

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Tromsø: Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat Trip - Finding the boat in Skjervøy
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Tromsø: Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat Trip

8.Tromsø: Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 107 reviews · from $373

Travel by heated bus from Tromsø to Skjervøy, then join Philippe, Captain Jacob, and a small group aboard a covered boat built for wildlife photography. Search for orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, and fin whales while staying warm, hearing guide commentary, and viewing the sea through onboard underwater cameras.

“Perfect day. One of my best whale watching experiences. Thank you Philipe, thank you Jacob.”

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Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat - What the RIB ride feels like in winter
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Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

9.Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 87 reviews · 3 hours · from $240

Meet the Explore 70 Degrees crew in central Skjervøy and ride a fast RIB into Arctic waters for three hours. You may spot orcas, humpback, fin, or sperm whales. Thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles are supplied, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Die Whalewatching Tour allgemein war einfach toll. Ich habe mir meinen Traum erfüllt Orcas in freier Wildbahn zu sehen. Unglaubliches erlebnis. Danke dafür”

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Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales - Dolphins, whales, and the thrill of a distant blow
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Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales

10.Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $179

From La Ventana, join a six-person panga safari with guides such as Juan, Alejandro, or Andrea. Search for dolphins, humpback and sperm whales, blue whales, mobula rays, and possible orcas. Snorkeling is available for confident ocean swimmers, with lunch and gear included.

“I loved this excursion! Our guide, Juan, knows his stuff. Above all, they prioritized the safety of the animals. Super respectful, experienced, & ridiculously good at spotting whales.”

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Bremer Bay Orca Experience - Leaving Bremer Bay at 8:00 am
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Bremer Bay Orca Experience

11.Bremer Bay Orca Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $286

Join Whale Watch Western Australia from Bremer Bay for an eight-hour search for orcas near the Bremer Canyon. A family-run crew provides live commentary, meals, drinks, photography, and practical help at sea aboard a 25-meter cruiser carrying up to 50 people.

“Amazing experience. Crew was great, new what they were doing and had heaps of information. Boat was clean and comfortable. I did get a little sea sick make sure to keep up with the sea sickness tables every 4hours. And sunscreen up.”

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Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest Cruise - Wildlife beyond the orcas
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Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest Cruise

12.Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 66 reviews · 4 hours · from $165

Spend four hours cruising Resurrection Bay with Major Marine Tours during the best orca season, roughly mid-May through mid-June. Your captain follows current sightings and explains orca behavior, whales, glaciers, and local wildlife. Expect indoor seating, outdoor decks, binoculars, hot drinks, and a chance to hear orcas through a hydrophone.

“We had a marvelously sunny and clear day with plenty of humpback whale sightings. Captain Tammy was really superb, and contributed excellent information about the waters, the town of Seward, the sea life, etc. The boat was very comfortable, and the tour, though expensive was well worth it - the best day of our cruise through Alaska!”

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Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour - Why the speedboat changes the outing
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Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

13.Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 3h 30m · from $119

Spend 210 minutes aboard a fast whale-watching boat from Orcas Island, with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, a restroom, and an English-speaking naturalist guide. Search for orcas, humpbacks, minke, and gray whales, plus seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and bald eagles.

“Trevor and Sam took us out that day and they took us to where they knew that there were whales and we saw at least 5 or 6! We went quite far, and the trip ended up being 4 1/2 hours, but it was sure worth it!”

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Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay - Watching orcas in a working marine reserve
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Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay

14.Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 35 reviews · 8 hours · from $282

Meet the orcas of Bremer Canyon on Whale Watch Western Australia’s 25-meter purpose-built cruiser. You’ll travel about 19 nautical miles offshore, hear live commentary from the onboard research team, enjoy hot and cold food, and receive free tour photos. Sightings are not guaranteed.

“Excellent day, very helpful and informative guides. Saw lots of Orcas and loved hearing about the different family groups. Lucky to have such a calm day on the water. Thank you.”

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Anacortes: Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle - Four hours searching the Salish Sea
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Anacortes: Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle

15.Anacortes: Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 33 reviews · 4 hours · from $199

From Anacortes, ride a high-speed vessel through the San Juan Islands with an English-speaking marine naturalist searching for Bigg’s orcas. The four-hour trip runs year-round, with a reported 98 percent whale-sighting success rate. Bring warm clothing and expect open-water conditions.

“The trip was heavily overpriced for the tour. I wouldn't have paid more than $85-90 for it. Although we fully understand and support the regulation of staying a certain distance away from the whales, it now has become a binocular trip in the hope to see the whales.”

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New in Orca Watching Tours

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★ 5.0Ketchikan: Orca Cove Fast Boat and Sea Kayak TourFrom $1986 reviews
★ 5.0Hurghada: Orca Hyperion Semi-Submarine Tour with SnorkelingFrom $142 reviews
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