Vancouver

Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

Badge of ExcellenceVancouver, Canada
Whale Watching Tour from Vancouver

From $142.11

Select Date and Travelers

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

  • 3 to 5 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Scout for an incredible array of marine life during this half-day Vancouver whale watching cruise. Join a professional naturalist on board a modern boat as you search for creatures including orcas, seals, porpoises, and eagles. The waters for your cruise are renowned for attracting whales, offering an up to 90% success rate with sightings. Best of all, enjoy spectacular scenery set amidst the Gulf and San Juan Islands. Your whale watching trip from Vancouver includes round-trip transport from your hotel, plus bottled water and snacks.
  • Whale-watching tour from Vancouver
  • Look for orcas, porpoises, sea lions, seals, eagles and more!
  • Travel through the spectacular Gulf and San Juan island chains
  • Accompanied by a professional naturalist
  • Shuttle option for round-trip transportation from downtown Vancouver

What's Included

  • Shuttle pickup and drop off (if option selected)
  • Snacks
  • Restroom on board
  • Gratuities
  • Shuttle pickup and drop off (if option not selected)
  • Lunch
  • Parking Fees

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

  • 12240 Second Ave, Richmond, BC V7E 3L8, Canada

    Arrival at our office is required one hour before your tour. Please check in at our office to receive your boarding pass. #210-12240 Second Avenue Richmond BC V7E 3L8 ***If you have booked tour with shuttle pick-up, you must call our office to reserve your pick-up time and zone***

Pickup point

  • Vancouver, BC, Canada

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

You must pre-arrange your shuttle pick-up zone with us directly, 24 hours before your tour. Please review designated shuttle zones and call our office to arrange your pick-up. Shuttle zones are in the Downtown Vancouver and Richmond area. Zone 1 – On the corner of Beatty Street and Robson Street, outside the Hampton Inn & Suites at 101 Robson Street. Zone 2 - On Canada Place Way at Burrard Street, across the street from the Tourist Information Centre (on the water side of the street). Zone 2A - On Howe Street at Georgia Street, across from the TD Bank (on the Art Gallery side), by the Bus shelter. Zone 3 – Outside Shenanigans Pub (1227 Robson Street). Zone 3A – Westin Bayshore Hotel, wait outside the main entrance (1601 Bayshore Drive). Zone 4 – Denman Street and Comox Street, in front of the 7-Eleven Convenience Store (1055 Denman Street). Zone 5 – Outside the Century Plaza Hotel, 1015 Burrard Street. Please wait outside the hotel, by the “Passenger Loading Zone.” Zone 5A – Outside the Quality Inn & Suites Hotel, 1221 Granville Street. Please wait by the “Passenger Loading Zone.” Zone 6 – On the corner of Broadway and Fir Street, outside the Kohler Building (1606 W. Broadway).

What To Expect

Explore the incredible marine life near Vancouver during this half-day whale watching cruise in search of orcas and much more. If you’re a nature lover or simply looking for a way to immerse yourself in the scenic beautiful of the western coast of Canada, this excursion is a great option.

Start your whale watching trip with pickup from select Vancouver hotels or by meeting at Steveston Village where your boat departs. A shuttle transports guests from nine convenient hotel locations in Vancouver, and free parking is available for those arriving by car. Depending on the option you select, your cruise may leave in morning or afternoon. Check with your tour operator during reconfirmation on your exact schedule.

Then climb aboard your sleek, modern whale watching vessel. The high-speed zodiacs used on the trip offer both an open-air deck and a covered cabin, ensuring a comfortable ride no matter the conditions. On-board hydrophones also allow you the chance to hear the whale calls of any orcas encountered along the way, and handy photo ID charts help you identify different species of animal.

The whale watching tour travels out into the waters of coastal British Columbia. The area for your excursion is renowned for the killer whale (orca) pods that come to feed on marine mammals throughout the year, and humpback whales that visit during the summer months to feed in the temperate-rich waters. During your tour, listen as the naturalist shares insights into whale behaviour, shares stories of specific whales, and helps you spot a variety of creatures such as porpoises, bald eagles, shore birds, seals, and sea lions.

Guaranteed whale sightings or your next trip is free.

Vancouver Whale Watch

3 hours Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 47 travelers
Operated by Vancouver Whale Watch

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.

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
yaloz47
The tour was great! Everyone was friendly and helpful. Our guide/naturalist was extremely personable and knowledgeable, and the best part is that we saw quite a few orcas! So thrilling to see them in a natural habitat.I would recommend this trip.

Reviews

4.5
1,317 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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0
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,317 reviews
Definitely recommend
Jenalee_S, Apr 2024
We saw a pod of 7 Orcas and some sea lions! It was fantastic. Staff was very friendly! The boat was nice also!
Awesome, knowledgeable...
Madelyn_B, Apr 2024
Awesome, knowledgeable crew and great orca hunt sighting. Weather was beatiful, but the provided rain jackets were great to have just in case
Great experience!
Lauren_C, Oct 2023
We had a great experience! We took the shuttle from downtown. Levi was our driver and we found him to be friendly and entertaining. Check in was very easy and we were on the boat seeing wildlife in no time. We saw killer whales, humpback whales, bald eagles, and sea lions. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you so much! Our round trip shuttle is a great option to add onto bookings for transportation right to us. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your tour with us.
Unforgettable experience
Nicola_S, Oct 2023
We totally lucked out. Staff both at quayside and boat were excellent. The water was rough because of the time of year but expertly navigated by captain. We ended up right in the middle of the action with 5 transient pods of Orca hunting a 1 ton male sea lion. Even the crew were in awe. Once in a lifetime experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for sharing your awesome experience with Vancouver Whale Watch!
Awesome Wales
Iftkhar_K, Oct 2023
The whales and sealions were awesome to see..The tour guide was great in answering our questions. Worth it.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you so much for your review!
We had Orcas diving under...
Heiko_L, Oct 2023
We had Orcas diving under our boat - this was an amazing memory which justifies the boat drive there.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for your review.
Watching the whales is worth it!
Annalee_K, Oct 2023
This was an amazing whale-watching experience. We saw two different kinds, orcas and humpbacks, as well as seals and birds. It was a gorgeous day. The water was great. Our naturalist was very knowledgeable and funny. If you have a nice camera, this is a perfect adventure for it. I recommend dressing in layers, but they do offer coats when you get there. Bring food and drink with you as the only thing aboard is water and granola bars. A hat will keep your head warm and your hair from tangling in the wind. The boat is rather loud when the wind beats on the windows, so those who are sensitive might like earplugs.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience with Vancouver Whale Watch!
Wonderful day
Katia_P, Oct 2023
Amazing experience! We had the chance to see a pod of orcas and two humpback whales! We strongly recommand!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you so much! Sounds like a fabulous tour!
There Abe Whsles!!!
Gloria_C, Oct 2023
We saw 8 whales- Soooo exciting, What an amazing experience to see them in their world!!! So thankful, I highly recommend this tour & the young lady, our naturalist, was so knowledgeable!! Thank you for this unforgettable experience!!!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
How awesome to view these majestic creatures in their natural environment! Thank you very much for your review!
Interesting and Informative
Susan_E, Oct 2023
Beautiful day. Multiple sitings of humpback whales, plus seals, sea lions, cormorants, and a young eagle. Lots of interesting information from our guide, friendly and knowledgeable with a masters degree in oceanography. Nice friendly group of people. Often changed seats and leaned over to see the whales.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Our 3 to 5 hour whale watching tour focuses on viewing Orcas and Humpback Whales, as well as other marine wildlife such as Sea Lions, Porpoises, and Bald Eagles, we thank you for your review.
Total Profesionals. Highly rated!!!
Erika_G, Oct 2023
Staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. Boat has a washroom and was good. They offer water and a light snack if you get hungry. The views are amazing and I highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you our staff loves sharing their knowledge of the whales and marine life. All our vessels are equipped with a washroom. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your tour.
Want to go Whale Watching? CHOOSE Vancouver Whale Watch for the best experience!
Victoria_B, Oct 2023
From the transportation to Steveston provided by Vancouver Whale Watch to the greeting and helpfulness at the office to the cleanliness and comfort of the watercraft and then the amazing knowledge and willingness to fully engage by the naturalist and the captain - This excursion was OUTSTANDING! Before the trip I had a couple of questions, and the folks at Vancouver Whale Watch responded to my text within just a few minutes providing full assistance with everything I needed. At the office the staff helped make sure our entire day was comfortable by providing advice about restaurants, advice and equipment for the boat (warm jackets and wind/rain gear). I noticed that the naturalist provided binoculars to a few people who did not have their own and then even spent time showing them how to use the tool. Both the captain and the naturalist were quick to make everyone aware when wildlife was close, shared a lot of their knowledge including interesting tidbits about the area and its history and the people. The naturalist knew a great deal about the habitats (both in Vancouver and other places in the world) and behaviors of the animals we encountered. We visited in early October and were fortunate to see California sea lions (males only in Vancouver), several humpback whales, lots of Orcas, eagles, harbor seals, etc. We have been on other whale watching tours in Vancouver as well as other parts of the world. This was, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable times we have spent in a commercial group setting on the water and the bonus was learning so much more than I had anticipated that I might.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you so much for your review! From the Team at Vancouver Whale Watch!
Wonderful Whale watching
Sankar_S, Oct 2023
Watching Whale and the natural beauty in this trip is very much memorable for me and my entire ream.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you very much!
Jumping humpback and 14 orcas
Dieter_V, Oct 2023
Jumping humpback, 14 orcas, a male orca 5m near the ship and additonal 2 humpbacks which glide majestically through the water.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you very much! Very happy to hear you enjoyed your tour with Vancouver Whale Watch!
Overall fantastic experience
Cassandra_L, Oct 2023
Excellent shuttle service, shuttle driver gave a lovely history of the area on the ride to the tour. Tour was well organized, stress-free experience. Saw orcas and humpbacks. Naturalist shared alot of interesting info during tour. Boat ride can be rough to site location, but to be expected. Would do this tour wirh this company over and over.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you very much for sharing your fantastic experience with our Team!
Great experience
Zohar_N, Sep 2023
Great tour! We saw an amazing group of whales and many sea lions, great guide and very comfortable boat
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you! We appreciate your review very much!
A great adventure!
Karin_A, Sep 2023
Both the captain and the naturalist were very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We got to see killer whales and humpbacks, seals and sea lions, and all different kinds of birds. This adventure was one of our highlights of our trip to Vancouver!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Amazing to hear that your tour with Vancouver Whale Watch was a wonderful adventure and one of the highlights of your trip to Vancouver. Thank you from the Team at Vancouver Whale Watch!
Cancelled tour
Amrat_V, Sep 2023
The tour was cancelled on the day. I received a call a few hours before the tour was due to commence
Response from Host, Oct 2023
We are always very sorry to cancel a tour due to Marine conditions (high winds on the water). Weather is ever changing and we don't take it lightly as safety is our top priority. If winds are to high and we are not able to operate safely we reach out to all guest and re-book them in for another day or we would provide a full refund to your booking.
Great experience
Jessica_T, Sep 2023
Great day out on the water, good weather with calm conditions. We saw two pods of orcas, a porpoise, sea lions, seals and a bald eagle. The guide was knowledgeable and captain maneuvered the boat well to give us a great view of the marine life. Parking in the area was a bit annoying but otherwise no complaints.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for sharing your great experience with Vancouver Whale Watch! We are located in a historic fishing village, some days parking can be a challenge. We always recommend arriving 1 hour before your tour to find parking and for check-in at our office. We are very happy to hear of your wonderful tour with us!
Great tour and wonderful people.
BRADLEY_C, Sep 2023
Saw whales and sea lions. Shuttle driver was great and full of information. A good choice when in Vancouver.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thank you! On our tours you have the possibility of viewing magnificent Orcas (Killer Whales), majestic Humpback Whales, and other marine wildlife such as Sea Lions, Porpoises, Bald Eagles and more.
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