11 Standout Victoria Whale Watching Tours

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

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

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour aboard a spacious catamaran with open decks, a heated cabin, washrooms, and complimentary drinks. Naturalists such as Megan, Reid, Jessy, and Janae explain the Salish Sea as you search for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, and eagles. Free wildlife photos arrive after the trip.

“This was a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. I was hoping to see Humpback Whales and Prince of Whales did not disappoint. We saw many Humpbacks and then an Orca (Janet Nielson) showed up and it was like a Christmas miracle (he's rarely seen). The crew (Megan and Janae) were informative and knowledgable and Michael provided fabulous pictures afterward (included with the price of the trip). A must see and do when visiting Victoria. PS Captain Richard and First Mate Sandy did a great job too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 916 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $154

Set out from Victoria Harbour with a captain such as Gary, Mark, George, Raj, or Megan on a three-hour, 12-passenger Zodiac ride. Expect an open-air seat close to the water, all-weather flotation gear, changing sea conditions, and the chance to see humpbacks, orcas, seals, sea lions, otters, and eagles.

“I loved the tour. The staff was super friendly, and our captain had years of experience and was fantastic. We were lucky enough to see a humpback whale and orcas. I would definitely take a tour with Prince of Whales again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

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

Join Orca Spirit Adventures at Victoria’s Wharf Street harbor for a three-hour Zodiac trip guided by a certified marine naturalist. Search the Salish Sea for Bigg’s orcas, humpbacks, minke and gray whales, then listen to whale calls through onboard hydrophones. Full flotation suits help with the cool, wet ride.

“Skipper G did a great job. It was very fun and we had an awesome experience. Had the chance to see 4 humpback whales and some sealions”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

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

Set out from Victoria’s 146 Kingston Street for about three hours aboard a covered whale-watching boat. You get indoor seating, washrooms, an outdoor 360-degree deck, and marine guides such as Ryan, Briar, Liam, and Olivia. Expect possible humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, eagles, and seabirds, with morning and afternoon departures.

“We had a nice day whale watching in Victoria! The boat was the perfect amount of time and our guides were informative. We saw humpbacks, orcas, porpoises, and sea lions”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Victoria Whale Watch Tour

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

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour aboard SpringTide’s 60-foot Ocean Cruiser for about three hours on the Salish Sea. Naturalists such as Katie and Aly share details about whales and ocean life, while Captain Jasper or Ian handles the boat. You can watch from open decks or warm up inside with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

“We saw an Orca breach! At like 50-75 yards away in full sunlight. What an amazing experience. Ian, Aly, Marty, and Heather did an amazing job finding and explaining the wildlife to us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Whale Watching Trip on Covered Boat

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

Set out from Victoria on a three-hour covered-boat cruise with Orca Spirit Adventures. Marine naturalists such as Jake, Sophia, Briar, and Ryan explain the Salish Sea as you search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, porpoises, and eagles. Enjoy tea, coffee, indoor seating, outdoor viewing, hotel transfers, and complimentary photos.

“Jake and Sophia were great guides, and gave us a funny, laidback trip with a lot of informations too. We were very lucky and managed to see a lot of humpbacks in full activity!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

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

From Victoria’s Wharf Street, you’ll spend about four hours aboard a purpose-built Salish Sea catamaran, guided by marine naturalists such as Algebra, Michael, and Reid. Search for orcas and humpbacks in Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with heated indoor seating, open decks, hot drinks, and free high-resolution photos included.

“Seating wasn’t comfortable but expected for a tour boat. Crew was fantastic”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Summer Whale Watching Tour in a Zodiac Boat in Victoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 342 reviews · 3 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $144

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour on a three-hour Zodiac tour with a professional skipper and survival suit. Search for orcas and humpbacks, then visit Race Rocks and Fisgard Lighthouse. Guides such as Shannon, Tyler, Phoenix, Gareth, and Vicky are praised for strong wildlife knowledge and boat handling, though rough water can make the ride demanding.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Victoria Whale Watching Cruise with Expert Naturalists

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 305 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

From Five Star Whale Watching in downtown Victoria, you’ll spend about three hours exploring the Salish Sea with two onboard naturalists. Guides such as Sam, Brianna, Sophie, Mika, and Genevieve have been praised for clear explanations and patient answers. Expect cool air, possible spray, and wildlife sightings that may include orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

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

Set out from Victoria aboard SpringTide’s Marauder IV for 3 to 3.5 hours on the Salish Sea. Naturalists such as Katie, Morgan, Jasper, and Heather explain whales, birds, marine mammals, and coastal history while you watch from heated indoor seating or open 360-degree decks. Hot drinks, weather gear, and a photo package are included.

“amazing trip, they made sure we saw everything possible, managed to see orcas, humpacks, seals and sea otters. also, boat not that big and lots of room to move about. recommended 100%”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Sunset Whale Watching Tour on an Open Scarab Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 3 hours · from $128

Set out from Victoria after dinner on an open Scarab boat for more than three hours among the Salish Sea’s whales, seals, and eagles. An English-speaking naturalist guides the trip, while parkas, blankets, sunglasses, sunscreen, and onboard washrooms help with comfort. The tour returns as the sun sets, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

“Was good tour and staff were thinking good about us asking multiple times if you needed more stuff to stay warm They took there time to let us see the whales”

Check availability →Read our full review