The 15 Best Whale and Wildlife Watching Trips

1.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,379 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177Our pick

Meet Alaska Tales beneath the Mt. Roberts Tramway tent, ride past Mendenhall Glacier to Auke Bay, then spend about two hours watching humpback whales from a heated boat with outdoor decks. Naturalists such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate explain whale behavior, family groups, and safe viewing practices.

“Big kudos to Michelle (Captain), Ashley and Sophie. Go girl power!! This tour was amazing. Though the day was rainy and windy, these group of lady did a wonderful job making sure we were able to see some whale. This is my first time booking a tour through this company and I recommend it. Wonderful job!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249

Spend about an hour at Mendenhall Glacier, then board a warm, windowed boat with an outdoor deck to search for humpback whales, orcas, seals, and eagles. Guides such as Captain Michelle, Nate, Taylor, and Jay add local detail, while round-trip transport keeps this cruise-friendly.

“Great tour at the Mendenhall glacier visitor center and picturesque hike around. Our bus driver was very knowledgeable about the area and gave great advice on food and shopping in Juneau. The boat trip was also manned by local experts and very fun seeing multiple whales and sea lions. Would definitely recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,729 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Join Eagle Wing from Dallas Road for a 3.5-hour Salish Sea cruise aboard an open boat or semi-covered catamaran. Naturalists such as Derek, Sarah, Joe, and Liam share facts about whales and local wildlife while you watch for orcas, humpbacks, seals, otters, sea lions, and bald eagles.

“We had a great time on the tour. Was able to see a pod of orcas and watch them for about 30-40 minutes.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 812 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $178

Join Eagle One Enterprises for a 2.5-hour wildlife cruise from downtown Ketchikan. Guides Leanne, Jake, Theo, and Captain Brad search Tongass Narrows for humpbacks and orcas, with binoculars, blankets, hot drinks, snacks, and indoor and outdoor seating.

“The tour operator changed the time of the tour by an hour. I was never notified of the change. In fact the morning of the tour I received a reminder from Viator of the tour that listed the original tour time. The tour was an hour later. Had the operator moved it to an hour earlier I would have been a no show. We saw very little wildlife and zero whales. I understand that the tour operator can't guarantee whale sightings.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

Join Ocean EcoVentures in Cowichan Bay for a 3.5 to 4-hour private whale and wildlife trip. Captain Gary, Captain Jane, and other naturalist guides lead groups of 12 or fewer toward orcas, humpbacks, seals, porpoises, eagles, and seabirds. Morning, afternoon, and sunset departures are available.

“Excellent 4 hour whale watching tour. Small group boats for a more personal experience. Captain Gary is highly knowledgeable about the whales and makes the tour very educational. Staff were helpful and pleasant. Overall, a great tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island Day: Wildlife & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 391 reviews · 1 day · from $134

Spend a full day on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island with guides such as Ivy, Jack, Anton, or Tess. Ride the ferry, walk the North Gorge, search for wild koalas and kangaroos, watch for marine life, swim at Cylinder Beach, and hear about Quandamooka culture in a small group.

“Ivy was a great guide, very knowledgeable and helpful, Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 378 reviews · 4 hours · from $148

From Pier 69, cruise the Salish Sea for 3 to 5 hours in search of orcas, humpback, gray, and minke whales. An English-speaking naturalist explains the wildlife and conservation work. Food, drinks, binocular rentals, and possible window-seat upgrades are available onboard.

“just one word, AMAZING did everything to find the whales orcas and humpbacks, informative crew thanks for an amazing trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Sydney: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 300 reviews · 2h 30m · from $67Best value

Cruise from Circular Quay with live English commentary as you search for humpback whales from May to November. Paul has hosted some sailings, and Captain Mark has earned praise for spotting whales. Expect Sydney Harbour views, outdoor viewing, and strong sea motion.

“We managed to see whales so many times close to our boat! The tour starts with a beautiful view on Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and she always guided us in the right directions to see all the whales. The only thing I didn’t expect is how rocky the ride would be, the waves were SO strong. Luckily the crew provided us with bags and clear instructions on what to do in case we need to vomit, which was super helpful. I also took over-the-counter medication to treat motion sickness which helped me not to vomit, but I was definitely feeling nauseous. Staying…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Wonderful Whales and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $285

Meet at Icy Strait Point, ride five minutes to Hoonah, and board a clean boat for a three-hour search for whales, sea otters, and harbor seals. Shawn and the Glacier Wind Charters team keep groups small, with no more than 13 people aboard.

“Fantastic experience. Family run operation. Clean boat, great guides, great experience for our family! 100% recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Campbell River: Whale & Wildlife Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 143 reviews · 4 hours · from $175

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Campbell River: 4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Zodiac Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 133 reviews · 4 hours · from $216

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $190

Join Sitka Expeditions for a two-hour wildlife cruise from Harrigan Centennial Hall. Captains Parker and Mike take up to 13 people through Sitka Sound in search of humpback whales, orcas, bears, sea otters, salmon, sea lions, and bald eagles. Snacks, water, a bathroom, and a roomy viewing deck are included.

“First trip to Alaska and this was a great experience. Instructions for pickup were clear and the boat was small enough that it was a more personal experience. The boat captain was a wealth of information and took us to where there had been sightings of the various wildlife so we were able to see whales, a bear, salmon jumping, seal lions, otters, and a bald eagle. Would definitely recommend!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in Sitka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $205

Cruise Sitka Sound and the outer Baranof coast with local Captain Rick, or another Sitka Sound Tours captain, in a six-person boat. Look for humpback and gray whales, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, and bears, with outdoor viewing, a heated cabin, snacks, and guaranteed return to port.

“An Unforgettable Experience – Highly Recommend! We had an incredible time on Rick’s wildlife and whale boat tour! The boat itself was comfortable, clean, and thoughtfully stocked with extra amenities that made the experience even more enjoyable—snacks, water, books, kid-friendly nature items, and binoculars for spotting wildlife. Rick is a native-born local with a deep knowledge of the area and its wildlife. His passion and stories added so much richness to the tour—we enjoyed talking with him as much as we enjoyed the breathtaking scenery. We were lucky to see an amazing variety of wildlife, including whales, sea otters, seals, and more. It was truly a magical day on the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $136

Spend about 11 hours exploring North Stradbroke Island with a small group and a guide such as Ivy, Jack, or Anto. You will cross Moreton Bay by ferry, walk the North Gorge, seek koalas and kangaroos, relax at Cylinder Beach, and return by ferry near sunset.

“Wildlife sightings were great and trip was very relaxing. Our guide , Ivy, was very pleasant and helpful .”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Amazing Whale Watching and Marine Wildlife Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $199

Set out from Crescent Harbor in Sitka with Captain Tad for about two hours on a private whale-watching trip. The small boat, heated cabin, and live commentary make the ride comfortable, while sightings may include humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, otters, seals, eagles, and coastal brown bears.

“Our wonderful guide knew just where to take us to see humpback whales. We were so close it was unbelievable. The best experience I had in Alaska!”

Check availability →Read our full review