Vancouver

Intimate West Coast Whale Watching from Vancouver

Vancouver, Canada

Whale Watching Tour from Granville Island in Vancouver

From $144.35

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

5 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Become more familiar with whales and other marine life on this whale watching tour from Granville Island in Vancouver. Explore the water of the Salish Sea and Strait of Georgia with an experienced guide who tells you interesting facts about sea life as you search for killer whales, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and sea birds.

Whale watching tour from Granville Island in Vancouver
Cruise on a boat along the Salish Sea and Strait of Georgia in search of whales and other marine life
Listen to interesting facts from your guide aboard the boat
Enjoy a free granola bar and bottled water
Choose between three different morning departure times

What's Included

Professional guide with marine biology background on board
Toilet on all vessels
Bottled water available on board, but reusable bottles are encouraged
Sunscreen

Lunch (food is available for purchase at Granville Island's Public Market, just outside the meeting point)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

1806 Mast Tower Ln, Vancouver, BC V6H 4B6, Canada
Turn right off Duranleau Street, you'll find us across from the Lobster Man!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

No matter what departure time you choose for this tour make sure to meet about 45 minutes before your starting time.

Your tour takes off from Vancouver’s historic Granville Island. Board a boat, and listen to your guide as he or she tells you a little about how the day should go. The timing of this tour depends on when you see whales and can run from a half to a full day. Your guide tells you fun facts about sea life, as you search for killer whales, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and sea birds.

After you and your group have had enough excitement for the day—with whale sightings under your belt—you’ll head back toward Granville Island, where you can peruse the Public Market, shop at the boutiques, or head back to Vancouver.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Tour duration is 3-5 hours depending on whales' location
If no whales are found, your next trip is free. These vouchers are non-transferable and have no expiration date
Tours can be cancelled based on sea conditions
Children must be accompanied by an adult

Near public transportation
Partly-Sheltered boat recommended for children under 6 yrs
Not recommended for participants with back or neck problems
Vessels cannot carry wheelchairs, strollers, or walkers
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Brian_D

Such a great day. We saw humpback whales and orcas!! The zodiac was beyond a super experience. They have these hydraulic seats so even with rougher seas your ride is smooth!!! What a great experience.

Reviews

4.5

548 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 548 reviews

Whale Tales

LightPacker570120, Oct 2019

We purchased two tickets for a 5 hour adventure guaranteed to see whales. Very misleading as our tour only lasted 3 hours and we only saw 3 whale tails from black orcas. The narrator showed us booklets of whales and talked about them and you couldn't understand what she was saying because the boat was bouncing off the water as the Captain seemed to be in a hurry. $300 plus $14 to park and good thing I brought my own water to drink. I brought a little lunch but didn't know our trip would be over so fast so I ate it in my car. This is a money scam to listen about conservation. I counted the number of people who paid to see whales and they made $4500. For the one boat trip and the company runs 3 boats. Not worth it.

Amazing !!!

Lori H, Oct 2019

Most amazing day ever !!!! We saw humpbacks and sea lions .Ashley was so passionate and informative and Captain Drew. Definitely knew where to take us for the best sightings. Truly was the best day ever !!!

Great Experience

Tim_G, Oct 2019

We had the best time on this tour. The amount of passion the naturalist and the boat captain have for what they do is obvious and contagious. I learned a lot and saw some things I never thought I would. Plus the views form the boat on the trip out and back are incredible.

Not worth it

rcypret910, Oct 2019

For less money, I could have sat in a freezer for 3 hours in front of an industrial sized fan while someone dumps cold water on me.

Great day trip!!!

Brian_D, Sep 2019

Gorgeous views and animals!

Myrthe H, Sep 2019

The trip was amazing. The views were breathtaking and the Naturalist (zoey) really put an effort into informing the audience about the animals, the environment problems and the effect humankind has on the waters, animals and nature. It was worthwhile and a trip to remember. We sadly didn't see humpback whales but the Orca's were gorgeous.

well done

qjohnson2727, Aug 2019

driver and rep from company were both very knowledgeable and answered all questions was very pleased and would recommend to all my friends and family!

The Sea Wolves were out for us!

Richard_B, Aug 2019

The Sea Wolf, or Killer Whale, (actually a member of the dolphin family), is certainly one of the most iconic of all marine mammals, and Wild Whales found them for us as promised! It was thrilling to track them at an appropriate distance. I am glad that I thought to bring my binoculars and camera, and encourage others to do the same to make sure these creatures can be seen "up close." It was also a thrill to come upon a small island where harbor seals were taking refuge from their orca predators. It was my first time seeing either of these species i the wild. The location of Wild Whales on Granville Island is convenient; I was able to walk there from downtown Vancouver, and then up a hill to catch a bus home. Nearby are places to grab lunch and entertain children.

Whales in Vancouver

Barbara A, Aug 2019

Wonderful experience. Dan was a lovely, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic guide. Whales were magnificent.

Two Saskatchewan girls looking for whales

LeeAnn_G, Jul 2019

The captain corbey and Hannah were fantastic and friendly. We unfortunately did not get a chance to see any whales on this visit, but they gave us a free voucher to visit again. This voucher does not expire which is also awesome. This gives us an excuse to come back to this gorgeous place to have an opportunity to maybe see whales our next time here. Thank you so much for the great and adventurous ride!!

Mixed experience

Nomad45095653631, Jun 2019

We had a very mixed experience. On the plus side, we encountered Orcas right out of the harbor and had a nice encounter. We spent about an hour with a pod of 5 and were fortunate enough to have some rare behavior from them (breaching, tail slapping, etc). The naturalist was pleasant and knowledgeable. After the 1 hour limit with the whales, we were going to head north to see more wildlife and scenery. Unfortunately one of the boats engines broke and we had to limp back to the harbor. Instead of the 4-6 hour tour, it was closer to 3 hours. Had the whales not been right there this would have been a bad experience. Also, my wife complained her flotation suit reeked of urine.

This is an excellent tour. It is...

Anne C, Jul 2017

This is an excellent tour. It is advertised as 3-7 hours, and we were out for 6.5 hours. It was a beautiful day, and we saw a large number of whales at more than one site. The naturalist, Kiki, was very knowledgeable about the whales. It was interesting that she could tell them apart by name based on the markings on their fins and other identifying features. We wore jumpsuits the company gave us before we left the main building that helped keep us dry and warm. It was an open boat traveling through the small islands around Vancouver. If you want to spend time on a boat seeing the scenery and whales around Vancouver, this is the trip for you.

Sehr guter Ausflug

Sabine_S, Nov 2019

Sehr schöner und informativer sowie gut Organisierter Boots Ausflug zur Wahl beobachten.Wir sahen Orca und Buckelwale sowie Seehunde

Orka’s, bald eagles en seals gezien in een perfecte setting

Rene A, Jul 2019

In deze korte trip hebben we orka’s kunnen volgen en daarna als toegift nog een eiland bezocht met bald eagles en seals. Fijne boot met prima begeleiding. Enorm geluk gehad met prachtig weer