Category Whale Watching

Vancouver · WHALE WATCHING

Whale Watching from Vancouver: The 15 Best Trips

15 tours

Orca, humpbacks and the odd minke work the Salish Sea from spring through autumn, an hour out past Bowen. These trips are compared on the things that matter on the water: covered boat or open zodiac, how long you get out there, sighting guarantees, and what to wear even in July.

Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - On the water with naturalists: spotting gets faster when you know the signs

Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - The catamaran setup: heated cabin plus real viewing space

Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver - The on-water goal: orcas, humpbacks, and the Gulf and San Juan Islands

3.Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

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

Half-day whale watching from Vancouver with a strong sighting rate for orcas and humpbacks, plus seals, eagles, and big coastal scenery.

“We were able to see a humpback up close, seals and a pod of orcas. My wife and I had a great time. Would recommend!”

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Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

Vancouver's Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience - The “small-group” part that actually changes your experience

4.Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

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

Small-group Vancouver whale watching from Granville Island to search for orcas and humpbacks with a marine biologist guide and flexible timing.

“Wild whales is a professional company with a lot experience! We booked a zodiac boat, a boat for a small group. De chairs in this boats have shock absorbers which makes a ride comfortable! After an hour we saw a group of Orca's, we observed them an hour long! It was a great experience and we never will forget this moment! Further we saw seals and a bald eagle which makes is even more beautiful.”

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Vancouver Sunset Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

Vancouver Sunset Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - Timing matters: why you might finish earlier than 5 hours

5.Vancouver Sunset Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

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

Vancouver sunset-style whale watching from Granville Island on a heated catamaran, with free high-res photos emailed after.

“Made everyone stand outside in the sun to give full brief before getting on the boat. Had previously been told would do brief inside before allowing anyone to relocate outside seating. Another boat came past which made it impossible to hear anything. When told the person delivering information I received negative attitude for the remainder of the trip.”

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Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide - Check-in, Steveston area timing, and how to avoid the first-day scramble

6.Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

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

5 hours of whale watching from Vancouver, with a naturalist guide, fast modern boat, whale guarantee, and Gulf Islands marine life.

“If course we loved the whales but would of been nice to travel more to find more whales. Stayed in the same spot for hours. The orcas were to far away to really enjoy the experience. For the amount of money I spent for 4 of us, we should of watched them for a bit and moved on to find more. But overall the experience was alright.”

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Wild Whale Watching Experience – Open Air Vessel

Wild Whale Watching Experience - Open Air Vessel - The whale hunt: orcas, humpbacks, minke, and gray whales

7.Wild Whale Watching Experience – Open Air Vessel

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

Go whale watching from Granville Island on an open-air Eagle Eyes boat, with 360° views, anti-exposure suit, and a marine naturalist guiding your search.

“Great experience! Before leaving there was a problem with the booking and I was offered a free upgrade to the zodiac ride. The guide is the captain were incredibly professional and engaging. We saw killer whales, seals, sea lions and humpback whales. Tour absolutely recommended!Auto-translated”

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

Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat - Harbour Air Check-In in Downtown Vancouver, Plus the Flight Over the Coast

Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching - Victoria arrival and the handoff to the whale-watching team

Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour Small Zodiac with Guide

Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour Small Zodiac with Guide - Suit-up rules, gear checklist, and staying comfortable in open air

Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver BC

Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver BC - Route Over the Georgia Strait, Into the Gulf Islands

11.Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver BC

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

Vancouver whale watching from Steveston Village with naturalist-led cruise through Georgia Strait and Gulf Islands, about 4 hours.

“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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Vancouver: Open-air Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island

Vancouver: Open-air Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island - What to pack for a Vancouver sea day

12.Open-air Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island

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

Open-air Eagle Eyes whale watching from Granville Island, 360 views over the Salish Sea. See orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, and learn conservation.

“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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Vancouver: Catamaran Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island

Vancouver: Catamaran Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island - Key things you should know before you book

14.Catamaran Whale Watching Tour, Granville Island

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

Cruise from Granville Island on the Jing Yu catamaran to spot orcas, humpbacks, and dolphins with a marine naturalist.

“Avevamo paura che 3-5 ore di tour sarebbero state troppo lunghe e noiose. Nonostante si tratti sicuramente di un’attività dove è necessaria un po di pazienza, non essendo in uno zoo, ci siamo ricreduti! Il tour è stato molto divertente e interessante, anche grazie alla simpatica e disponibile naturalista Julia che ci ha raccontato aneddoti riguardanti tutti gli animali marini che abbiamo visto. La sua passione era palpabile e ci ha entusiasmati. Siamo riusciti a vedere una megattera anche se per poco tempo, molte orche (a caccia e con tanto di preda in bocca!) e moltissime foche. Il prezzo non è basso ma per chi non lo ha mai fatto…”

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Intimate West Coast Whale Watching – Partly-Sheltered

Intimate West Coast Whale Watching - Partly-Sheltered - Why the Boat Experience Feels Personal (Not Cattle-Car Racing)

15.Intimate West Coast Whale Watching – Partly-Sheltered

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

Intimate, partly-sheltered Vancouver whale watching with a Granville Island market stop, expert wildlife commentary, and a small group search.

“Excellent experience. Saw many humpback whales. Lots of fin slapping and breaching. Nicole did a great job of explaining whale behavior and migration patterns”

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