Best of · ORCA WATCHING TOURS

Where to See Orcas: the 15 Best Tours Worldwide

30 tours  ·  from $29 a head

Orca sightings run on herring, salmon and resident pods rather than migration, which makes the place matter more than the month. These 15 sail the Salish Sea, Arctic Norway and the Strait of Gibraltar.

From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari - Meeting the boat in Tromsø
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From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

1.All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,221 reviews · from $186Our pick

Join Polar Adventures at 8 AM for an eight-hour cruise from Tromsø to Skjervøy. Guides such as Juan, Raul, Pedro, and Holly share whale facts while you search for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, seabirds, and white-tailed eagles. The heated boat includes thermal suits, hot drinks, snacks, lunch, toilets, USB charging, and outdoor viewing decks.

“We saw orcas. The guide answered all our questions. It was a great experience for us. We had a hard time seeing whales. We only saw 1 or 2. The food they gave was also filling, everything was great.”

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Orcas Island Whale Watching - Setting out from Rosario Road
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Orcas Island Whale Watching

2.Orcas Island Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 442 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

From Orcas Island, you’ll spend about 3.5 hours aboard a small, fast vessel searching the San Juan and Canadian Gulf islands for orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and minkes. Guides such as Phil, Ginny, Elliot, and Sheila identify wildlife and explain the islands as you go. Dress warmly and plan carefully around the ferry.

“Captain Phil and Sheila were great! We didn’t see any whales for the first maybe hour and a half, but once Captain Phil got news about whale sightings more north, he got us over there as fast as possible. We got incredible views of about twelve orcas. Sheila shared so much information about the islands and identified some of the orcas we saw. It was such a great experience, we would highly recommend.”

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Orca Cove Sea Kayaking - Paddling through quiet coves and island channels
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Orca Cove Sea Kayaking

3.Orca Cove Sea Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 322 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $175Top rated

Leave downtown Ketchikan by fast boat, then paddle 1.5 to 1.75 hours among rainforest islands and quiet coves from a 57-foot catamaran. Guides such as Lucas, David, Matt, and AJ offer instruction and wildlife insight. Expect tandem kayaks, full rain gear, a small group, and smoked salmon with hummus afterward.

“This was my first time ever kayaking. Dave was very patient and educational. There was a pod of Orca whales going through and he made sure we were able to stop and see them. Highly recommend this excursion!!”

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Bremer Canyon Killer Whale (Orca) Expedition - Boarding at Bremer Bay Boat Harbour
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Bremer Canyon Killer Whale (Orca) Expedition

4.Bremer Canyon Killer Whale (Orca) Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · from $286

Spend about eight hours sailing from Bremer Bay to the Bremer Canyon, Australia’s most reliable orca-watching area. Naturaliste Charters runs the trip aboard a purpose-built 23-metre catamaran, with marine guides, meals, and frequent wildlife updates. Orcas are the main prize, but dolphins, whales, sharks, seabirds, and sunfish may also appear.

“The information from the crew was regularly given and very welcome. Food was perfect for the day out. The skipper Paul Cross was very willing to keep us present where the wildlife were. He was very unhurried. Great day.”

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Tarifa: Orca, Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Experience - Three hours on the Strait of Gibraltar
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Tarifa: Orca, Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Experience

5.Orca, Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 209 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

From Turmares Whale Watching in Tarifa, you spend three hours searching the Strait of Gibraltar for up to seven cetacean species. A live Spanish or English guide explains the animals and conservation work. Orcas are possible only in July and August, and sightings are never guaranteed.

“Nonostante avessimo preso un tour in inglese, la maggior parte delle informazioni sono state date in spagnolo. Purtroppo abbiamo visto solo tre specie di delfini”

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Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise - Leaving Seward at 12:30 p.m.
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Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise

6.Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

Cruise from Seward into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park in search of orcas, humpbacks, sea otters, puffins, seals, and more. Your captain follows recent sightings rather than a fixed route. Onboard narration, loaner binoculars, warm drinks, restrooms, and a hydrophone add comfort and context to this 4-hour trip.

“The staff was wonderful and the captain was very knowledgeable! We saw multiple orca as well as sea lions, sea otters, and a humpback whale.”

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Bremer Bay: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition - Starting at Bremer Bay boat harbour
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Bremer Bay: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition

7.Bremer Bay: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 114 reviews · 8 hours · from $282

Join Naturaliste Charters at Bremer Bay boat harbour for an eight-hour expedition aboard Alison Maree. A marine biologist explains orca behaviour before the 1.5-hour run to Bremer Canyon, where you may see killer whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and pelagic birds. Meals, drinks, photos, and a daily blog are included.

“The food was fantastic and the crew were so knowledgeable about the whales and how they hunt. My wife and I really enjoyed the whole experience.”

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Tromsø: Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat Trip - Changing from bus to boat in Skjervøy
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Tromsø: Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat Trip

8.Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 107 reviews · from $373

Travel from Tromsø to Skjervøy by Arctic Route bus, then board a covered, heated boat with Captain Jacob and guide Philip. Search for orcas, humpback, minke, and fin whales for about three hours, with outdoor viewing, underwater cameras, hot drinks, and photography advice. The small group is limited to 12 people.

“It was a very satisfying activity. The guide explained the knowledge of whales very carefully throughout the whole process and suggested the direction of whales for us at the first time. He even went to the second place to look for whales that were closer to us. In addition, the heated boat is very warm and provides hot drinks. I highly recommend this activity”

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Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat - The RIB ride and the Arctic view
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Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

9.Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 87 reviews · 3 hours · from $240

Meet at Explore 70 Degrees in central Skjervøy for a three-hour winter RIB trip along Norway’s Arctic coast. Your English- or Norwegian-speaking crew supplies thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles while searching for orcas, humpback, fin, and sperm whales. The small group is limited to two people, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Die Whalewatching Tour allgemein war einfach toll. Ich habe mir meinen Traum erfüllt Orcas in freier Wildbahn zu sehen. Unglaubliches erlebnis. Danke dafür”

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Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales - Mobula rays are the signature encounter
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Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales

10.Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $179

From La Ventana, you’ll spend about five hours aboard a panga searching for mobula rays, dolphins, whales, and the occasional orca. The group is limited to six, with snorkeling equipment and lunch included. Guides such as Juan, Alejandro, and Andrea are praised for sharp wildlife spotting and careful, respectful behavior around the animals.

“I loved this excursion! Our guide, Juan, knows his stuff. Above all, they prioritized the safety of the animals. Super respectful, experienced, & ridiculously good at spotting whales.”

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Bremer Bay Orca Experience - What the eight-hour day looks like
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Bremer Bay Orca Experience

11.Bremer Bay Orca Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $286

Spend about eight hours aboard Whale Watch Western Australia’s 25-metre cruiser, sailing from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour toward the Bremer Canyon. The family-run team searches for orcas, pilot whales, sperm whales, and beaked whales while serving meals, snacks, drinks, and one complimentary alcoholic drink. Prepare for open-sea conditions and possible motion sickness.

“Spent so much time with the orcas, unbelievable experience. Staff were friendly and proactive which made the day even better.”

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Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest Cruise - How the crew searches for orcas
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Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest Cruise

12.Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 66 reviews · 4 hours · from $165

Sail from Seward into Resurrection Bay with Major Marine Tours during the mid-May to mid-June orca season. Captain Tanner, Captain Tammy, and the crew share live wildlife updates, explain orca behavior, and may use a hydrophone to pick up underwater calls. Expect dramatic coastal views and possible sightings of orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, otters, puffins, and eagles.

“We got lucky and saw just about everything you could. Orca whales, Hump back whales, D’all Porpoises, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. The commentary was great with just the right amount of pertinent information. Can’t wait to try the six hours tour next year!”

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Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour - Leaving Orcas Island and crossing the San Juan archipelago
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Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

13.Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 3h 30m · from $119

From Orcas Island, you’ll spend 210 minutes searching for orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales aboard a fast boat with indoor and outdoor viewing decks, a restroom, and an English-speaking naturalist. Guides such as Brock, Ginny, Hannah, and Trevor have led recent trips, with frequent sightings of seals, sea lions, porpoises, eagles, and otters.

“Great trip, saw harbor seals, sea lions, orcas and Ollie the sea otter! Liberty and Elliot did amazing captaining us around the islands!”

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Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay - From Bremer Bay Boat Harbour to open ocean
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Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay

14.Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 35 reviews · 8 hours · from $282

Join Whale Watch Western Australia from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour for an all-day search for orcas in the Bremer Canyon Marine Reserve. You travel aboard a 25-meter luxury cruiser with warm indoor seating, live commentary from the research team, meals, drinks, and free wildlife photos. The main orca grounds lie about 19 nautical miles offshore.

“Rigtig fin tur og vi fik set en masse Orcas. Kan rigtig godt lide at de ikke “jagter” dyrene. Men de kan respekterer dem og lader dem komme til båden. God betjening med snacks gennem hele turen. Der er dog ikke mange sidde pladser og fordi rigtig mange bliver søsyge, ligger de sig ned og optager meget plads, hvilket resulterede i, at nogle måtte sidde på gulvet på hele tilbageturen. Det var et minus.”

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Anacortes: Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle - The boat ride from Anacortes
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Anacortes: Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle

15.Anacortes: Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 33 reviews · 4 hours · from $199

Meet Outer Island Excursions in Anacortes for a four-hour, high-speed boat trip through the San Juan Islands. A marine naturalist guides you toward the Salish Sea’s Bigg’s orcas, which can travel more than 100 miles in a day. Bring warm clothes, expect open-water spray and motion, and remember that responsible viewing keeps boats at a respectful distance.

“The trip was heavily overpriced for the tour. I wouldn't have paid more than $85-90 for it. Although we fully understand and support the regulation of staying a certain distance away from the whales, it now has become a binocular trip in the hope to see the whales.”

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New in Orca Watching Tours

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★ 5.0Orcas Island Bioluminescence Kayaking TourFrom $1095 reviews
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★ 5.0Orca Cove Fast Boat and Sea Kayak TourFrom $1986 reviews
★ 4.7Eastsound: Orcas Island Bioluminescent Kayak TourFrom $1094 reviews

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