The 15 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.”

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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.Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

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

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”

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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”

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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.Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 270 reviews · 5 hours · from $152Best value

Cruise from Steveston through the Gulf Islands and Strait of Georgia with a naturalist guide such as James or Kai. Look for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles aboard a fast viewing vessel, with windbreakers, water, snacks, and a whale-sighting guarantee included.

“It was amazing. Got to see the whales and they even stayed longer so we could get the full experience. Great guiding and narrative. Highly recommend.”

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7.Wild Whale Watching Experience – Open Air Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $169

From Granville Island, you’ll spend about five hours aboard Eagle Eyes, an open-air vessel with 360-degree views. Marine naturalists search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and seabirds while explaining local ecology and conservation. Anti-exposure flotation suits, water, guides, and motion-sickness ginger are included.

“Fresh air, high-speed boat. Ship’s captain knew when to slow down or stop when whales were near. We all hushed, then gasped at the sight of a fin.”

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8.Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $546

Fly 35 minutes from downtown Vancouver to Victoria, then spend about three hours on the Salish Sea with Orca Spirit Adventures. Guides such as Shannon, Josh, Luke, and Liam share marine-life facts while you search for orcas and humpbacks. Return by seaplane the same day.

“One of the best experiences of my whole life!! The trip from Vancouver to Victoria with the seaplane was awesome!! And the whales watching with Shanon was incredible. We could see humb whales around, and we enjoyed the experience very much. I recomend it to everybody!!!!! Thank you!”

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9.Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $520

Take a 35-minute Harbour Air seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria, then join Orca Spirit Adventures for a three-hour whale-watching trip. Look for orcas, humpbacks, seals, and seabirds with guides such as Jeff and Shannon, followed by free time in Victoria and a return flight.

“Couldn’t have asked for a better day, G made sure of it. Highly recommend”

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10.Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour Small Zodiac with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 65 reviews · 5 hours · from $160

Set out from Richmond for a 3 to 5 hour whale-watching trip through the Gulf Islands and Strait of Georgia. Your English-speaking guide, possibly Kai, explains the wildlife as you ride in a small open-air zodiac. A full-body mustang suit is required, and whale sightings are guaranteed.

“They promised whales watching. And of course you will have! Even saw orcas! Good guide!”

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11.Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver BC

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $184

Set out from Steveston Village on a 3 to 5-hour whale-watching cruise with an English-speaking naturalist and a maximum of 35 people. You may cross Georgia Strait and visit the Gulf Islands while searching for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, eagles, and other birds.

“We lucked out and saw orcas and humpbacks and a family of eagles in one nest! It was absolutely incredible! Our naturalist and captain worked synergistically to ensure we had the best experience ever!!!!”

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12.Vancouver: Open-air Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 51 reviews · 5 hours · from $165

Cruise the Salish Sea aboard Eagle Eyes, an open-air catamaran with 360-degree views, an English-speaking captain, and a marine naturalist. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and sea lions, with warm gear available and whale sightings guaranteed.

“Our naturalist Julia was excellent and super knowledgeable. I loved learning about humpback whale behaviours and how to identify them as we tracked the 3 we found during the excursion. I also loved seeing the harbour seals and learning about other marine wildlife like sea otters even though we didn't see them on our trip. I wish we could have stayed out in the northern sound longer to track them but acknowledge that our naturalist and captain tried their best. Overall an excellent experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat and will be recommending Wild Whales to all my friends, family and colleagues.”

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13.Vancouver: Catamaran Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 5 hours · from $165

Join captain Kevin and a marine naturalist such as Marcos or Julia aboard Jing Yu, a semi-covered catamaran from Granville Island. Spend 3 to 5 hours looking for orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and sea lions across the Salish Sea, with indoor seating and open decks.

“We enjoyed the whale watching from Granville island with captain Kevin and guide Marcos. We saw orcas and humpbacks in fairly close proximity. The trip lasted about 5 hours and it was just great! Marcos was very informative and passionate about the animals”

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14.Intimate West Coast Whale Watching – Partly-Sheltered

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $169

Set out from 1806 Mast Tower Lane near Granville Island for a 3 to 5 hour whale-watching trip with Wild Whales Vancouver. The partly sheltered boat carries up to 32 people, with wildlife experts such as Julia, Nicole, and Britt helping you read whale behavior and migration patterns.

“Great captain! And Britt was very knowledgeable! We saw multiple pods. They truly did what it took to provide a fantastic afternoon.”

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15.Vancouver: Zodiac Whale Watching Tour from Granville Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6 reviews · 5 hours · from $179

Join Wild Whales Vancouver for a high-speed Zodiac ride from Granville Island. A marine naturalist explains the Salish Sea as you watch for orcas, humpbacks, seals, dolphins, and seabirds. Shock-absorbing seats, flotation suits, and a wildlife guarantee make this a lively, weather-exposed five-hour outing.

“J’aurais bien aimé y participer mais j’ai été malade et le suis encore et je n’ai pas pu y aller. J’aurais aimé un remboursement mais on ne me l’a pas accordé.”

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