6 Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver That Live Up to the Photos

1.Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,000 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $193Our pick

Set out from Granville Island on a 95-passenger catamaran with heated cabins, open decks, hot drinks, and naturalist guides. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, eagles, and seabirds while guides explain local wildlife, geology, and history. Free wildlife photos arrive by email, so you can watch instead of handling your camera.

“Amazing tour. We got to see the whales. The scenery along the way was breathtaking as well. Highly recommended tour.”

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2.Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,260 reviews · 5 hours · from $188

From Granville Island, you’ll cruise the Strait of Georgia on a covered luxury catamaran with heated indoor seating and three outdoor viewing areas. The crew, including guides such as Ashley, Victor, and Wilma on some departures, searches for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and birds while taking free high-resolution photos.

“I took the tour at 2:30 pm and it was AMAZING best thing to do in vancouver for sure. We saw groups of orcas, a humpback whale and sea lions. The pictures sent by the crew are beautiful.”

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3.Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

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

Cruise from Steveston into British Columbia’s coastal waters with Vancouver Whale Watch. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, eagles, and seabirds while guides such as James D. and Rhiannon explain what you see. Choose hotel shuttle service or meet at the Richmond marina, and allow three to five hours.

“We were fortunate to view humpback whales as a few different locations, as well as seals and sea lions. One family member is elderly and disabled. For her, the boat was disappointing as it wasn’t the one pictured, with windows and forward facing seats. Whenever a whale was spotted, people would rush to one railing or the other, blocking her view. Since she’s unable to get up without her walker (not allowed on board), she saw no whales until near the end of the trip when a pair surfaced right beside her side of the boat. Four of the five in our party were happy with the experience, but we…”

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4.Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

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

Join a marine biology guide and captain for a three to five hour search for orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, eagles, and sea birds. Departing Granville Island with no more than 12 people, the tour uses a Zodiac or open-air boat and may include full-body suits, bottled water, and sunscreen.

“It was 100% worth it! I live in Vancouver and never really thought about doing this until my mom came for visit and I had to do all the tourist things, but this one… I LOVED IT!”

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5.Vancouver Sunset Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

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

Cruise Vancouver’s Salish Sea from Granville Island aboard a 95-passenger high-speed catamaran. Guides such as Jill, Ashley, Jake, and Sebastian explain the whales, geology, and seabirds while the crew searches for orcas and humpbacks. You get heated indoor seating, open-air decks, hot drinks, and a free email photo package.

“Returned to Vancouver from a cruise and was running slightly late due to a bad experience with a hop on hop off bus. I sent a message and they called me back and had my tickets ready. They advised they would be leaving at 1600 sharp. We made it right on time and I even got a second call while I was talking with them to determine exactly what building we needed to check into. We made it just in time. I definitely appreciate the follow up and assistance to get there! The boat is mostly covered but has some great open viewing areas. The wildlife experts were very helpful…”

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6.Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

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

From Steveston, cruise into the Gulf Islands and Strait of Georgia with a naturalist guide such as James, Kai, or Nathaniel. The 3 to 5 hour trip uses a modern viewing vessel and includes windbreakers, water, a granola bar, and a whale sighting guarantee. You may see orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and more.

“It was amazing. Got to see the whales and they even stayed longer so we could get the full experience. Great guiding and narrative. Highly recommend.”

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