Top 15 Whale Photography Trips

1.Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,000 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $193Our pick

Leave Granville Island on a 95-passenger catamaran with heated cabins, open decks, and naturalist guides such as Petra, Ashley, Wilma, and Megan. Search for humpbacks, orcas, seals, sea lions, and eagles while crew photographers capture wildlife photos for you.

“It was amazing. Well worth the money. Pictures turned out great. The staff were knowledgable,and very friendly. Great memory for our trip to Vancouver.”

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2.Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,260 reviews · 5 hours · from $188

Join Prince of Whales from Granville Island for a 3 to 5 hour guided cruise on a covered, heated catamaran. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and seabirds while guides such as Ashley, Wilma, Victor, or Fawkes explain the marine life. Free professional photos arrive after the trip.

“The staff’s knowledge was outstanding. Amazing customer service. 54 very accurate of the day Pictures for free. Great value add it allowed us to enjoy our time and not worry about getting the perfect picture.”

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3.Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,259 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $154

Sail from Victoria’s Inner Harbour aboard a spacious catamaran with naturalists such as Megan, Reid, Jessy, and Michael. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and eagles from open decks or a heated cabin. Free wildlife photos, hot drinks, washrooms, and a whale sighting guarantee are included.

“Everyone on the boat was so friendly and knowledgeable! They took time to answer all of our questions.”

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4.Whale Watching Cabo-Women crew-Sightings Guaranteed & Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,743 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

Join Cabo Nature’s women-led crew for a two-hour whale search from Cabo San Lucas. Guides such as Aurora, María, Daniela, Belem, and Nikki use a hydrophone to play whale songs, stop at El Arco, and send digital photos. The boat is intimate, fast, and may get wet.

“Friendly staff and we saw a lot of whales and dolphins. Boat was clean and water wasn't too rough. Recommend!”

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5.Vancouver Sunset Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 454 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $193

Set out from Granville Island aboard a 95-passenger Salish Sea catamaran with naturalists such as Jill, Ashley, and Victor. Search for orcas and humpbacks, spot seals and eagles, enjoy hot drinks, and receive free wildlife photos by email. The trip usually lasts three to five hours.

“We had such a beautiful night on the sunset cruise! Seeing three orcas surface at the same time is a moment I will never forget. Plus we saw humpback whales as well. This was a very special night!”

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6.Victoria: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 387 reviews · 4 hours · from $149

Set out from Victoria with up to three marine naturalists, including guides such as Algebra, Michael, and Reid. Search the Salish Sea for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, eagles, and otters aboard a heated catamaran with two open decks. The crew sends free high-resolution photos after the trip.

“It was an incredible experience. We had 2 humpbacks (female with calf) swimming around our boat for about an hour. I saw them not once, or twice, I saw them multiple times. It was awesome. An experience of a lifetime. That said, we were told that doesn't happen very often. In fact rarely. We were very lucky. The crew was amazing. All of them very nice and competent. Algebra, the tour guide, was very knowledgeable and extremely funny. I would definitely recommend this tour.”

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7.Los Cabos Whale Watching (Transportation and Pictures Included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 290 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Set out from Cabo San Lucas with a small group of up to 12, stopping at El Arco and the sea lion colony before searching for humpback whales. Guides such as Leonardo, Lorenzo, Pablo, and Alejandro explain whale behavior, while the crew provides snacks, water, life jackets, and tour photos.

“Great experience. We saw a ton of whales, dolphins and even a sea lion. Our guide and captain were great, took time to explain the whales behavior, and provided great photos after the trip”

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8.Cabo: Whale-Whatching Boat Trip w/ All-Women Crew and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 202 reviews · from $91

Join Cabo Nature for a two-hour whale watch on an 8-meter boat carrying no more than 12 people. A marine biologist such as Aurora, Nina, or Mariana explains the whales, the crew takes photos, and a hydrophone may let you hear them sing.

“Marina our guide was absolutely incredible. She was so kind and warm to our family. She was so excited every time she saw the whales as if it was her first time. We saw so many whales. They breeched and slapped the water. Loved everything about this experience. Oscar our driver was amazing as well. He took great care of us. I highly recommend this entire experience with Cabo Nature.”

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9.Los Cabos: Whale Watching (Transport and Pictures Included)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 138 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $94

From Cabo San Lucas, you’ll cruise past the Arch and sea lion colony before searching for whales with guides such as Pablo or Leonardo. The 2.5-hour outing includes hotel transport, a shaded boat with marine WC, water, snacks, life jackets, and photographer-taken pictures.

“We were picked up from our hotel on time(and return) and the fellow was really friendly. This was probably the main reason AND the reviews as to why we picked True Baja. Then we met Paulo and his crew and WOW what a great bunch. We can't say enough about them and the fact we got some great whale watching pictures from the booking was a HUGE bonus. Paulo and his crew were so patient...waiting and always keeping a look out for whales. Paulo is very passionate about the environment and he is very knowledgeable when talking about the whales and their behaviour, etc. We saw grey whales, humpback whales…”

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10.Telegraph Cove: Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 130 reviews · 3 hours · from $149

From Telegraph Cove, you’ll cruise Johnstone Strait aboard the semi-covered Ocean Magic II, with naturalists, live commentary, warm drinks, and free wildlife photos. Guides such as Val, Luke, Abi, Kennedy, and Scott have helped make recent trips memorable, but bring warm layers for the exposed water.

“Brilliant trip - the whales gave us an awesome display : )”

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11.Whale Watching by Zodiac in Cabo San Lucas with Photos Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85Best value

Join Baja Vikings Ecoventures for a 2.5-hour whale-watching trip from Cabo San Lucas aboard a 28-foot Apex Zodiac. Guides such as Pepe, Mario, Raz, and Pedro track humpback and gray whales, use a hydrophone for whale songs, and provide photos and videos after the tour.

“This was absolutely worth it! Going to several different locations, being able to be quiet so that we didn't scare away any whales, small group, excellent guide in Ramual, and great driving the zodiak by Pedro- incredible experience!! Also saw dolphins, a sea turtle, several sea lions and seals. highly recommend!”

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12.Whale Watching & Snorkeling Combo in Los Cabos with Photos Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Join Baja Vikings Ecoventures in Cabo San Lucas for about two hours of whale watching and one hour of snorkeling. Guides including Mario, Pedro, Louis, Fernando, and Fergus have helped guests spot humpbacks, gray whales, sea lions, rays, and reef fish. Photos, videos, gear, snacks, and reef-safe sunscreen are included.

“It was a wonderful adventure, made extra special by Dee and Captain Alex!! We saw many whales and Captain Alex took us places that were not mobbed by other boats. The highlight? Watching a mother and her calf enjoy the surface as we listened to them sing to each other on the hydrophone. Dee was a wealth of knowledge and it was fun to learn more about these magnificent creatures. Also saw a couple of marlins and sea lions.”

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13.Educational Sunrise Whale Watching with Photos Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Leave Cabo San Lucas at 6:00 am with Proyecto Cetáceo and guide Angelica. Hear whales through a hydrophone, spend about two hours searching offshore, then photograph Lover’s Beach, the sea lion colony, and the Arch. The boat holds no more than 10 people.

“The sunrise cruise was worth getting up early. Angelica was an amazing guide. She was so knowledgable and pleasant. The boat Captain did a great job in getting us to see the whales. The whale songs were captivating.”

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14.Whale Tour, Arch, Professional Photos & Hydrophone

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $142

Set out from Cabo San Lucas Marina with a certified nature guide and captain for about two hours of whale watching, coastal sights, and Arch photos. The small group, capped at 12 people, uses a hydrophone so you can hear whale songs, while professional photos and a handmade souvenir add value.

“We had a great time and saw many whales. Tour guide and captain were awesome! We saw a bunch of amazing sites along the way also.”

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15.Whale Watch Cabo: Zodiac Whale Adventure – FREE Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $122

Join a marine biologist-led Zodiac tour from Cabo San Lucas for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, and Arch views. Groups stay under 10 people, photos are free, and Oscar and Kevin may be among your guides. The whale guarantee runs December 15 through April 15.

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