Whale Watching Tours in Victoria: Book These 15 First

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,259 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $154Our pick

Cruise Victoria’s Inner Harbour and the Strait of Juan de Fuca aboard a spacious catamaran with naturalists such as Megan, Reid, Jessy, and Michael. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles from the open decks, then warm up with coffee or hot chocolate in the heated cabin. Free wildlife photos are sent after the trip.

“Absolutely amazing day! The crew said it was one of the best whale watching days they’d ever had. We saw loads of different groups of orcas as well as humpbacks and sea lions. An awesome day out!!”

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2.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

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

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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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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4.3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 651 reviews · 3 hours · from $140

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour in a 12-passenger Zodiac with a certified marine naturalist. Expect a fast, open-water ride, full flotation suits, hydrophones, and chances to see Bigg’s orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and bald eagles. The tour runs three hours, with a free return trip if no whale appears.

“Thanks Mikey for the amazing tour!! My friends and I had the best time ☺️ We would recommend to anyone!!🐋”

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5.Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 482 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $136

Spend about three hours aboard a covered whale-watching vessel from Victoria, with indoor seating, washrooms, and outdoor viewing decks. Marine naturalists such as Ryan, Jake, Briar, and Liam explain whale behavior and local sea life. Humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, otters, eagles, and seabirds may appear, but sightings depend on nature.

“Great experience. We got to see orcas and a hump back whale. Definitely a must do, great group of folks.”

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6.Victoria Whale Watch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 458 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $126

Cruise the Salish Sea for about three hours aboard SpringTide’s 60-foot Ocean Cruiser, with naturalists such as Katie, Aly, and Ian sharing stories about whales and their habitat. Choose a morning or afternoon trip, watch from the cabin or upper deck, and warm up with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and loaner jackets.

“We saw several humpbacks -one even did a lunge and his head came straight out of the water with his mouth open. Quite unusual and spectacular. Saw tons of sea lions and stellar seals. Naturalist was very knowledgeable My one caveat is that although there were ample viewing platforms - to get to the upper decks or into the cabin to access the bathroom there were very high steps - I was unable to access these areas. Because of this I would not choose this company/boat again - due to joint replacements They did provide coffee and hot chocolate and even offered extra jackets and pants for anyone who needed…”

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7.Whale Watching Trip on Covered Boat

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

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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8.Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 387 reviews · 4 hours · from $149

Set out from Victoria’s Wharf Street for a 4-hour Salish Sea cruise aboard a purpose-built catamaran. Marine naturalists such as Algebra, Michael, Reid, and Megan explain the wildlife while the captain positions the boat for viewing. Expect heated indoor seating, two open decks, hot drinks, snacks for purchase, and free wildlife photos.

“Fantastic outing to see whales. The team were also fantastic with great knowledge, and a great service with a smile. The boat was so smooth and everything was perfect. Thanks to Francois, Sandy, Jamie, Michael and Maddie, you made the trip a great experience. Would recommend this trip. Steve and Sarah Wenmoth from the UK, what a memory.”

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9.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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10.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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11.3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 288 reviews · 3 hours · from $123

From SpringTide’s Wharf Street office, you’ll board the Marauder IV for three to three and a half hours on the Salish Sea. Naturalists such as Katie, Morgan, Heather, and Ali explain orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, birds, and coastal history. Expect a heated cabin, walk-around decks, hot drinks, all-weather gear, and a free photo package.

“Had a great time. Team worked really well together and were well informed and passionate about their work.”

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12.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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13.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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14.Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Join Orca Spirit Adventures in Victoria for a three-hour winter Zodiac ride through the waters near southern Vancouver Island. A marine naturalist helps you watch for humpback whales, Bigg’s killer whales, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. You get a cruiser suit, hat, gloves, and access to a hydrophone for whale calls.

“This tour was fun and enjoyable, even in the rain! We walked around town, taste tested a range of food and, learnt so much about the history of the area. It felt good to support local businesses.”

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15.Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 191 reviews · 3 hours · from $125

Join a small group of up to 12 at Victoria’s Inner Harbour for a three-hour search for orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and marine birds. Marine biologists such as Nour, Alexa, Mark, and Andrew guide the trip, with heated indoor seating, two outdoor viewing areas, jackets, coffee, and hot chocolate.

“it hard to find the whales, every other boat is doing the same thing. However, it was educational in other aspects and she was very knowledgable, fun and interesting.”

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