Boat Tours in Victoria: 10 That Use a Whole Day Well

1.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

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

Set out from 1 Dallas Road in Victoria with Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours for a 3.5-hour Salish Sea cruise. Your naturalist guide explains whales, seabirds, and local history while the crew searches for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Choose from a fast open boat or a semi-covered catamaran, with whale sightings guaranteed or your next tour free.

“This experience was excellent! The staff incredibly knowledgeable and the captain fantastic. We were lucky enough to see many humpbacks, sea lions and other wildlife. Definitely a highlight of our trip to Victoria!”

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2.Vancouver: Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,165 reviews · 13 hours · from $208

Travel from downtown Vancouver by coach and BC Ferries to Butchart Gardens and Victoria. You get two hours among the gardens, about 1.5 hours downtown, and commentary from guides such as Mark, Dan, Justin, or Dion. Ferry fares, admission, taxes, and transport are included, making this a handy one-day Vancouver Island outing.

“Our driver and guide Mark was excellent! He knew the area very well and shared lots of interesting and insider information with us. The tour was very well organized, giving us enough time to explore on our own. We also got great tips on where to eat and how to make the most of our free time. We were lucky with the weather, but it was really Mark’s knowledge and friendly manner that made this tour such a great experience.”

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3.Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 916 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $154

Set out from Victoria Harbour on a 12-passenger Zodiac with guides such as Gary, Mark, George, Raj, and Megan. The open boat gets you close to the Salish Sea, where you may spot orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, seals, sea lions, otters, and eagles. Expect speed, spray, cold air, and a whale-sighting guarantee if luck does not cooperate.

“I went with this tour group because the boat is at boat level. It was hard to find whales in the afternoon. If i were to do it again, I would choose the whale company on the Wharf on the larger boat that everyone stills low on water.”

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4.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Islands Cruise Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 565 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $214

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and ferry, with a scenic Gulf Islands crossing, two hours at Butchart Gardens, and about 1.5 hours in downtown Victoria. The $214.46 price includes transportation, ferry tickets, and garden admission. Guides such as Mark, Dan, Justin, and Dion are known for clear commentary and good trip management.

“Victoria ferry is 1.5 hours each way.and it takes about an hour to get to ferry from downtown Vancouver.”

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5.Whale Watching Trip on Covered Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 427 reviews · 3 hours · from $132Best value

Cruise from Victoria with certified marine naturalists who explain orcas, humpbacks, seals, porpoises, and seabirds as you search the Salish Sea. The covered boat gives you indoor and outdoor viewing, plus coffee, tea, bathrooms, and a complimentary photo package. Hotel pickup and a second tour after an unlucky outing are included.

“Excursion was great. Helps that we lucked out with all the whales we ended up seeing. Captain and all the crew were great. Well worth it!”

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6.Summer Whale Watching Tour in a Zodiac Boat in Victoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 342 reviews · 3 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $144

Join Orca Spirit Adventures from Victoria’s Inner Harbour for a three-hour Zodiac trip to Race Rocks and nearby whale grounds. A professional skipper, survival suit, and groups of up to 12 keep the outing personal. Expect spray, wind, fast runs, and possible orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and seabirds.

“It was wonderful to see 4 humpback whales and the sea lions. I really enjoyed being in the front seat of the zodiac. I cried afterwards thinking of the whales and what they have suffered”

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7.Victoria Whale Watching Cruise with Expert Naturalists

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 305 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

Cruise the Salish Sea from Victoria for about three hours with two onboard naturalists. Guides such as Sam, Brianna, Sophie, Nour, and Rayne help you spot orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, birds, and more. The boat holds up to 40 people, and warm layers are essential.

“The reservation was cancelled due to mechanical problems with the vessel. Short notice was given and we were unable to book with another whale watching company”

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8.Victoria Sunset Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $138

Set out from 1 Dallas Road in Victoria for about three hours aboard a fast open Scarab boat or semi-covered catamaran. A certified naturalist guides you toward orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and birds, then brings you back past Victoria’s harbor lights at sunset. Jackets, blankets, gloves, and onboard washrooms are provided.

“This boat is super smooth and fast. The naturalist on board was super knowledgeable. The team was friendly and polite. We saw a few humpbacks as well as some other wildlife”

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9.Whale Watching Tour by Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 233 reviews · 3 hours · from $138

Meet SpringTide Whale Watching 30 minutes early at 1119 Wharf Street, suit up in a complimentary flotation suit, then ride an open-air Zodiac into the Salish Sea. Your English-speaking skipper explains whale behavior, coastal ecology, and local wildlife while searching for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and marine birds.

“Amazing! Great fun on the zodiak and soooo amazing to see whales up close! Would definitely do it again.”

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10.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 join a three-hour Orca Spirit whale-watching trip. Your small group may ride a covered vessel or Zodiac, with guides such as Shannon, Josh, Luke, or Liam sharing local wildlife knowledge. Round-trip flights, taxes, and sustainability fees are included.

“Plane ride was by far the best way to get to the island. We had plenty of time to experience downtown before the boat trip. Be prepared for a cold, bumpy ride, but it will be worth it. We were able to see a humpback, sealions and seals.”

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