Canada · WHALE WATCHING

Whale Watching in Canada: 15 Boats Worth Boarding

64 tours  ·  from $95

Two coasts, two completely different animals: resident orcas and humpbacks in the Salish Sea, belugas and fin whales where the Saguenay drops into the St Lawrence. These 15 compare zodiacs against covered boats on price, time afloat and what the season gives you.

Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - What you might see on the water
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Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free 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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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour - What you may see: from minke whales to belugas
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

2.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,716 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $98

Cruise the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park in a 24 or 60-passenger Zodiac. Bilingual naturalists, including guides such as Catherine and Frederick on some departures, explain whale behavior as you search for minke, fin, humpback, and beluga whales. The 2 to 2.5-hour trip may also enter the Saguenay Fjord when weather and time allow.

“This was a must-have activity. We saw 4 different spieces and was wonderful. The only pain point are the raincoats a bit spoiled.”

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Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - The long run to whale country
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Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

3.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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Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - A catamaran built for changing conditions
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Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

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

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

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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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour - Choosing Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

5.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,179 reviews · 3 hours · from $122

Join AML Cruises for a three-hour whale watch from Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine. A certified guide gives commentary in French and English while you search for belugas, minke, fin, and humpback whales. The large boat has outdoor decks, enclosed 180-degree viewing rooms, a bistro, and optional VIP or upper-deck access.

“We went on a three hour whale watching tour with AML Croisières out of Tadoussac. We saw many, many whales for an hour and a half. It was exciting! The boat had a lot people on it but we were able to get a great spot along the front edge of the boat on the second level. It was perfect for taking pictures with a long lens (500 mm). Sometimes the whales were so close that the whale’s tail filled the frame of the camera. Excellent adventure. Note: I was not able to understand the English speaking announcer, mostly because she talked so fast and the sound was muffled.”

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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise - Leaving From 1 Dallas Road In Victoria
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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

6.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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Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver - On board for a three-to-five-hour search
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Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

7.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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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure - The wildlife you might see
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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

8.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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From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip - Meeting at Fontaine de Tourny
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From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

9.From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 863 reviews · 11 hours · from $186

Travel by comfortable bus from Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine, then choose a large viewing boat or fast Zodiac on the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Bilingual guides explain the whales, fjord, and coastline. Patricia, Paul, and Captain Luke have all led praised trips, but pack warm layers and plan your lunch carefully.

“we got to see 2 Fin whales over and over and a Beluga whale with her baby. It was a perfect day on the water. Beautiful!”

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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise - Bay Bulls, Bull Head, and the run toward the reserve
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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

10.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 837 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94Best value

From Bay Bulls, about 25 minutes from St. John’s, you’ll cruise aboard the catamaran Gaffer VI to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Local crew share Newfoundland stories, songs, and wildlife facts while you watch for puffins, whales, icebergs, dolphins, and seabirds. Hotel pickup is available from select hotels for an extra fee.

“Great staff. It was a lot of fun. Our only disappointment was no whales. Puffins were great though. Really enjoyed the people.”

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Vancouver's Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience - Searching the Salish Sea and Strait of Georgia
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Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

11.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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Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour - Searching the Salish Sea for whales
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Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

12.3-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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2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls - What the two-hour cruise feels like on the water
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2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

13.2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

From Bay Bulls, join a two-hour English-language cruise around the four islands of Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Expect huge seabird colonies, puffins, auks, and possible minke whales or dolphins. The crew adds local stories, songs, fishing, and optional screeching. Bring warm layers, as the boat can feel cold even on a pleasant day.

“We liked theWhales the puffins the ocean and a good crew. I liked the child's price. A seniors price would be good.”

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Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel - Wildlife Encounters Depend on the Day
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Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

14.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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Victoria Whale Watch Tour - Boarding the 60-foot Ocean Cruiser
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Victoria Whale Watch Tour

15.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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New in Whale Watching

★ 4.7Tofino: Whale Watching Tour with Nature GuideFrom $13730 reviews
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★ 4.7Whale Watching Marine Wildlife ExcursionFrom $11319 reviews
★ 4.9Campbell River: Whale Watching Cruise with LunchFrom $23020 reviews
★ 4.6Campbell River: 6 Hour Zodiac Whale Watching Tour w/ LunchFrom $26131 reviews
★ 4.9Campbell River: 6-Hour Whale Watching Boat TourFrom $24546 reviews
★ 3.8Campbell River: 6 Hour Covered Whale Watching Tour w/ LunchFrom $27511 reviews
★ 4.7Campbell River: Whales and Wildlife Boat Tour with SnacksFrom $16021 reviews
★ 4.6Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife TourFrom $125191 reviews
★ 5.0Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 6-Hour Tour from Campbell RiverFrom $25144 reviews
★ 4.5Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by BoatFrom $546142 reviews
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