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Whale Watching Victoria

July 30, 2024 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Welcome to the wild and wondrous whale-watching world in Victoria, BC!

Whale Watching Victoria, Vancouver Island, and Port Renfrew Canada.
Watching Orca whales off the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.

Imagine yourself aboard a boat, the salty sea breeze tousling your hair, and the anticipation of spotting one of nature’s most majestic creatures building with every passing wave. With its pristine waters and stunning coastal landscapes, Victoria is a whale watcher’s paradise. From the heart-pounding excitement of seeing a humpback breach to the serene beauty of orcas gliding gracefully through the waves, every trip is an unforgettable adventure.

Buckle up (or rather, hold onto your hats) as we dive into the best whale-watching experiences that Victoria, BC, has to offer! Whether you’re a seasoned marine enthusiast or a curious first-timer, get ready for a splash of excitement and awe-inspiring encounters with the giants of the deep.

1. Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure

Whale watching Victoria.
Photo from Viator.

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3-4 Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

With almost 2,000 5-star reviews, this is the most popular whale-watching tour in Victoria for witnessing beautiful orcas, humpback whales, and minke whales. This 4-hour whale-watching tour gives you the chance to marvel at the majesty of Canada’s marine wildlife on a semi-covered vessel built specifically for whale-watching trips, which means you can watch the waves from the open sun decks or stay protected from the spray in the heated indoor cabin. Cruise through the beautiful Haro Strait as you learn all about the area from your experienced guide, stop off at points of interest through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and listen to fascinating commentary from marine naturalists on board.

We had an outstanding time on our half day whale watching tour. The staff did an awesome job. They explained the safety features, areas of interest and provided nice tidbits of the whales behavior. We got some incredible views of the humpbacks and of the lighthouse. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

-Orlando (see more reviews)

This Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure includes:

  • Captain and expert crew of 3-4 guides/naturalists
  • Free photo package of your trip & wildlife, with personal photos of you and your loved ones
  • Two washrooms
  • Lifetime Whale Sightings Guarantee – new free tour from Vancouver or Victoria until you see whales!
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Downloadable tour guides in English, Spanish, French, German and Dutch
  • Kids coloring books and educational guides

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability

2. Victoria Whale Watching Tour

Whale watching Victoria.
Photo from Viator.

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

Hot drinks, certified marine biologists, and indoor and outdoor viewing areas make this another one of the most popular whale-watching Victoria experiences. Travel in luxury as you scan the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits for beautiful orca and humpback whales in one of the most beautiful places in Canada. It’s not just whales either. Keep your eyes peeled for marine birds, seals, and sea lions, making this one of the best ways to experience Canada’s wild west coast.

The whole trip was amazing. Our guides Jake, Sophie & Ryan were awesome. They were very knowledgeable, entertaining and clearly loved what they do. On our trip we saw 2 Humpbacks, several pods of Orcas, Sea Lions and a Sea Otter. I highly recommend this tour and you will enjoy it even more if Jake, Sophie & Ryan are your tour guides.

-Jalin (see more reviews)

This Victoria Whale Watching Tour includes:

  • Driver/guide
  • Professional guide

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability

3. Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

Whale watching in British Columbia.
Photo from Viator.

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

If you’d rather skip the big boats and get up close and personal, check out this highly-rated whale-watching Victoria tour in a zodiac speedboat! This 3-hour tour gets you as close to the action as possible, cruising into the rolling waves from the Haro Straight to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Watch the water for sightings of humpback whales, minke whales and orcas breaching the waves, while learning about their life cycle and migration habits.

Upon arrival the staff were extremely polite and helpful. The day could not have more perfect. Weather was beautiful and the water was fairly calm. Tray was excellent at tracking down whales for us. We were able to multiple Humpback whales. Tray kept us out a little longer so we could get a glimps at some Orcas. I would go again!

-Sherrill (see more reviews)

This Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria includes:

  • Expert Guide/Skipper
  • Whale and marine life watching tour on a 12-passenger open-aired zodiac boat
  • All-weather exposure flotation suits
  • Lifetime Whale Sightings Guarantee – new free tour from Vancouver or Victoria until you see whales!
  • $5 per person Salish Sea Conservation Fee (1% For The Planet Initiative) is included in the price

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability

4. Seaplane Flight to Victoria and Whale-Watching Cruise

Seaplane experience from Vancouver to Victoria with whale watching included.
Photo from Viator.

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

If you happen to find yourself in Vancouver but want to do a whale-watching tour in Victoria, check out this highly-rated tour that combines a seaplane flight over the Straight of Georgia from Vancouver to Victoria and an exhilarating zodiac adventure to see whales!

Start your adventure with incredible views of one of the most scenic areas in Canada before landing in Victoria to enjoy the chance to see majestic orcas, humpback whales, seals, and sea lions! This is truly a trip you’ll never forget!

The seaplane experience was awesome! Safe, friendly and a fast way to get to Victoria. The whale watching was a lot of fun! If it’s cool and rainy, rain coat and rain pants are a must! Top of the boat is the best views. We saw humpback whales, sea lions, Harbour seals and eagles.

-Heather (see more reviews)

This Howe Sound Sea Safari Cruise includes:

  • Roundtrip scenic seaplane flight from Vancouver to Victoria
  • Whale-watching cruise
  • Carbon offset levy
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability

As you can see, when it comes to whale watching in Victoria, there’s no shortage of amazing experiences to choose from. You really can’t go wrong. So whether you’re looking for a comfortable boat, an adventurous boat, or even a seaplane ride from Vancouver to Victoria, we hope this guide helped you make your vacation the best it could possibly be.

For more ideas on what to do, check out our other guides below:

  • Things to Do in Vancouver
  • Things to Do in Tofino
  • Things to Do in Nanaimo

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net.

 

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