10 Unmissable Campbell River Whale Watching Tours

1.Whale & Wildlife Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 143 reviews · 4 hours · from $175Our pick

Cruise from Campbell River into Discovery Passage, the Salish Sea, or Johnstone Strait for four hours of wildlife watching. You may spot humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, bears, sea lions, seals, and eagles while an English-speaking guide explains the area and uses hydrophones to listen for whales. Choose a covered boat or an open zodiac.

“We saw seals, sea lions, and black bears. No whales, but the boat trip was in such a beautiful area that didn't matter. Our guide was so knowledgeable as she grew up in the area. HIGHLY recommend this excursion.”

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2.4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Zodiac Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 133 reviews · 4 hours · from $216

Set out from Campbell River with an English-speaking naturalist or biologist guide for four hours among the Discovery Islands. Look for orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, bears, seals, and sea lions, then listen through a hydrophone before racing through Devils Hole and Aaron Rapids. Guides such as Gibson and Nova add strong local knowledge.

“It was fantastic, I don’t think they need to change anything.”

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3.Salish Sea Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 64 reviews · 4 hours · from $200

Depart downtown Campbell River with Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours for four hours among the Discovery Islands. Guides such as Guy and Janet share wildlife facts, local stories, and Homalco culture while you search for humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, sea lions, birds, and perhaps bears or otters. Boats are heated, covered, and fitted with toilets.

“Fantastic whale watching experience. Small group, lots of whales. The naturalist was quite informative.”

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4.6-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 6 hours · from $245Top rated

From Campbell River, cruise the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait in a Zodiac or covered 12-passenger boat. Your naturalist guide may point out humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, bears, sea lions, and eagles. The day includes onboard washrooms, hydrophone listening when possible, homemade lunch, and hot drinks.

“Amazing trip, Steve was very knowledgeable. Great boat, ideal for the job. Had to wear the float suits, but a small price to pay. We had the pleasure of seeing at least 12 separate Humpbacks during our trip, including one breaching. Seals and sessions too. A small point, but for me one that makes the difference, lunch. It could have been easy to have bought in something commercial. No, we were treated to a "homemade" wrap, granola bar, dried fruit and cookies.”

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5.6 Hour Zodiac Whale Watching Tour w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 31 reviews · 6 hours · from $261

Set out from Campbell River with a naturalist or biologist guide, such as Benji or Andre, and search the Discovery Passage for humpback, gray, and minke whales. You may also see orcas, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and porpoises. The six-hour Zodiac trip includes a hydrophone, lunch, drinks, warm gear, sunscreen, and onboard washrooms.

“geweldig en zelfs 2 orka's gezien dus wat wil je nog meer”

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6.Whale Watching and Wildlife Viewing Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 23 reviews · 8 hours · from $291

Spend a full day on the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait aboard a covered boat or Zodiac. Your captain and Naturalist guide search for orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, sea lions, bears, and eagles. Lunch, hot drinks, washrooms, and a flotation suit on the Zodiac are included.

“The trip was fantastic. Jerek was the guide you would wish for: enthusiastic, knowing, safe captain, organized!! We have seen a humpback whale, three orcas, seals and a Lot of eagles, that are very rare in Germany. Amazing. Nature so beautiful!!!”

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7.Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 6 hours · from $230

Join Discovery West Adventures from Campbell River’s Discovery Harbour Marina for a six-hour cruise aboard a covered, heated 30-foot aluminum boat. Captain Josh and his team search for humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, seals, and seasonal bears. Your day includes a shore stop, homemade lunch, snacks, hot drinks, and an onboard toilet.

“Veel walvissen gezien, 11 stuks en zelfs 2 keer met jonkies erbij.”

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8.6 Hour Covered Whale Watching Tour w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 11 reviews · 6 hours · from $275

Spend six hours with Eagle Eye Adventures aboard a covered, Transport Canada approved boat from Campbell River. A naturalist or biologist, including guides such as Benjy or Brian, leads the search for humpback, gray, and minke whales, with a hydrophone, lunch, drinks, and wildlife viewing along Discovery Passage.

“Veel verschillende wildlife gezien, bultrug, bruinvissen, zeehonden, een zwarte beer die rustig langere tijd langs de oever rondliep en natuurlijk de Amerikaanse adelaar. Gids Benchy was reuze enthousiast en wist veel te vertellen. Het was een prachtige ervaring waarbij het weer goed meewerkte nadat de vorige dag de storm juist zorgde voor een terecht uitstel van de reservering.”

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9.Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8 reviews · from $360

You’ll spend about half the day kayaking in remote wildlife areas and half aboard the covered Wild 1, whose open deck gives you a clear view of whales, dolphins, seals, bears, and more. Guides provide full kayaking instruction, gear, lunch, and warm drinks. Laura and Stephen have led trips to especially quiet, rewarding places.

“Fantastic company Laura and Stephen were great guides took us to some amazing remote locations . Saw many humpbacks and even lucky enough to see two of them breaching .very organised and delicious packed lunch onboard .”

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10.Vancouver Island: People Water Land – Indigenous & Whales

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8 reviews · 5 hours · from $272

From Campbell River, a Homalco skipper and First Nations guide take you through the Salish Sea to Aupe, a former Xwémalhkwu village site. Look for orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, eagles, and perhaps a black bear, then walk the old village trails and make a cedar bracelet. Boats are heated, covered, and limited to 12 people.

“Ron, our skipper, and Janet, our guide, did an amazing job on our People, Water, and Land Campbell River Tour. We started the morning meeting up at the tour office and gift store right on the dock at the marina. Coffee was available and we enjoyed getting to know our fellow tour passengers. Soon, Janet came in and led us to the boat. On board, Ron gave us a thorough safety briefing and let us know what to expect aboard. We got underway right on time, leaving Campbell River and heading north around Quadra Island. We soon had our first sighting, a pod of white sided dolphins off in the…”

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