The 5 Vancouver Whale Watching Tours That Earn Their Price

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,572 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $157Best value

Cruise from Steveston into coastal British Columbia waters with Vancouver Whale Watch. You may spot orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and eagles while guides such as James D. and Rhiannon explain what you see. The 3 to 5-hour trip includes free parking and optional hotel shuttle service.

“Wonderful experience seeing humpback whales and sea lions up close. Amazing. The trip lasted about 4 hours”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 698 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $177

Join Wild Whales Vancouver for a three to five hour search through the Salish Sea and Strait of Georgia. A marine biology guide such as Julia, Yaz, or Honour explains the wildlife while a captain works to find orcas and humpbacks. The small group, usually no more than 12 people, keeps the experience personal.

“Be prepared for a long bumpy afternoon on the zodiac but worth it ! We were given full body suits which seemed unnecessary when standing in 22 deg heat but we very quickly were thankful for them 20 mins into the trip when the wind and seaspray is causing a chill . Our afternoon was rewarded with a sighting of 5 orcas and a humpback whale along with a few seals and baldy eagle - bring your binoculars to ensure a good view - due to restrictions a certain distance is maintained from the orcas making them harder to see”

Check availability →Read our full review

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review