Best of · WHALE WATCHING AND WILDLIFE CRUISES IN CANADA

The 15 Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises in Canada

25 tours  ·  from $95 a head

The 15 best whale watching and wildlife cruises in Canada you can book today, with the price on the ticket, how long the crossing runs and which animal you are going out for. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise - Orcas, humpbacks, and the wildlife search
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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

1.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,729 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146Our pick

Join Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours at 1 Dallas Road for a 3.5-hour Salish Sea cruise aboard a high-performance open boat or semi-covered catamaran. Guides such as Derek, Sarah, Joe, and Liam share wildlife facts as you look for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Warm clothing is available, and a whale sighting guarantee takes the edge off a blank day.

“Went for this trip just to see the whales and yup! I did.. what a fantastic creature..bonus that the weather really nice. Complementary warm clothing that they provide really helps when out in the ocean. Learned lots of informations we heard from the crew. 10 out of 10 would recommend 👍”

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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise - Stop Three: Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

2.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

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

From Bay Bulls, Gatherall’s catamaran carries you into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where puffins, whales, icebergs, and seabirds fill the view. Expect live nature commentary, Newfoundland songs, sheltered island stops, outdoor decks, an indoor cabin, and a possible Screech-In ceremony. Hotel pickup from St. John’s costs extra.

“Great tour of Gull Island. Enjoyed it tremendously and recommend it whole-heartedly. No whales today 😒 still an awesome trip. Jane Rebecca and Cole were great😉”

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2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John's - Fort Amherst and the old harbor entrance
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2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John’s

3.2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John’s

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 455 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $112

From Iceberg Quest’s Pier 6 base, you’ll cruise past St. John’s harbour, Signal Hill, Fort Amherst, Blackhead Sea Caves, and Cape Spear. The captain and crew explain local history and marine life in English. A heated cabin helps on cold days, but sightings of whales, puffins, and icebergs are never guaranteed.

“This experience was amazing. The crew was lots of fun and very informative. We saw puffins, a bald eagle and lots of whales. I would highly recommend this”

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Cowichan Bay: Half-Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure - Three and a half hours on the Salish Sea
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Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

4.Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

From Cowichan Bay, you spend 3.5 to 4 hours looking for orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, seals, eagles, porpoises, and seabirds. Captains such as Jane and Gary combine wildlife tracking with clear commentary. Boats carry no more than 12 passengers, and floating suits and safety gear are supplied.

“I went with my 2 daughters 18 & 14 years old. It was very well organized trip, our guide gave us so much information. The best part was when hump Whales were jumping and playing in front of us”

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Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac Tour - Leaving the Inner Harbour for open water
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Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac Tour

5.Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Join Orca Spirit Adventures in Victoria for a three-hour winter Zodiac ride along southern Vancouver Island. A captain and certified marine naturalist guide look for humpback whales, Bigg’s killer whales, sea lions, seals, otters, and seabirds. Cruiser suits, hats, gloves, and a hydrophone are provided. The tour runs rain or shine, with a maximum of 12 people.

“This tour was fun and enjoyable, even in the rain! We walked around town, taste tested a range of food and, learnt so much about the history of the area. It felt good to support local businesses.”

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Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife Tour - Three Hours of Wildlife Searching
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Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife Tour

6.Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 191 reviews · 3 hours · from $125

Set out from Victoria’s Fairmont Empress area for three hours on the Salish Sea with a marine biologist and up to 11 other guests. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, seals, sea lions, otters, and marine birds from two outdoor decks or a heated cabin. Guides such as Andrew, Mark, Alexa, and Nour are praised for clear wildlife commentary.

“it hard to find the whales, every other boat is doing the same thing. However, it was educational in other aspects and she was very knowledgable, fun and interesting.”

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Campbell River: Whale & Wildlife Discovery Cruise - From Discovery Harbour Marina to Discovery Passage
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Campbell River: Whale & Wildlife Discovery Cruise

7.Whale & Wildlife Discovery Cruise

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

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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Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 4-Hour Tour from Campbell River - Four hours among islands and open water
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Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 4-Hour Tour from Campbell River

8.Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 4-Hour Tour from Campbell River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $180

Board a Zodiac at Campbell River for about four hours among Vancouver Island’s islands and coastal waters. Your English-speaking guide takes a group of no more than 12 in search of whales, grizzly bears, sea lions, and other wildlife. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with snacks and a float suit included.

“Das Erleben der Wale in ihrer natürlichen Umgebung war sehr beeindruckend! Ebenso die Fahrt durch die Insellandschaft!”

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Victoria Ultimate Marine Whale & Wildlife Tour - Humpbacks, orcas, and the luck factor
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Victoria Ultimate Marine Whale & Wildlife Tour

9.Victoria Ultimate Marine Whale & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

Set out from downtown Victoria with Five Star Whale Watching for about three hours on the Salish Sea. Guides such as Gordon, Sam, Meaghan, and Howard have helped lead memorable trips, with routes adjusted for recent whale activity. Choose indoor or outdoor viewing while looking for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, and marine birds.

“Great customer service and comfortable boat. I stayed in the cabin and my family rode on the top deck. Everyone enjoyed and the guides on board were top notch!!”

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Campbell River: 4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Zodiac Boat Tour - What the wildlife search is really like
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Campbell River: 4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Zodiac Boat Tour

10.4 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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Victoria: Whale and Wildlife Semi-Covered Boating Tour - Why the catamaran setup works well
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Victoria: Whale and Wildlife Semi-Covered Boating Tour

11.Whale and Wildlife Semi-Covered Boating Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 4 hours · from $136

Join Eagle Wing Whale and Wildlife Tours at 1 Dallas Road for a four-hour Salish Sea outing aboard a semi-covered catamaran. Guides such as Derek, Evan, Tom, and Jo-Anne share local wildlife knowledge while you watch for whales, sea lions, seals, otters, and eagles. Indoor seating, outdoor decks, restrooms, and loaner jackets make the trip practical in changing weather.

“Phenomenal activity I would highly recommend to anyone who loves nature and to anyone who wants to learn more and gain a greater appreciation for the wildlife around the Salish Sea. It was a forever memorable experience! We saw humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, a blue heron, a kingfisher, bald eagles etc... the list goes on. The boat had a warm inside but it also had plenty of room outside for people to sit. The crew were incredible and accommodating, all highly knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife. Special shoutout to Derek, who was outside with us for the majority of the trip. He was an inspiring…”

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Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 6-Hour Tour from Campbell River - Wildlife watching without a window between you and the sea
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Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 6-Hour Tour from Campbell River

12.Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 6-Hour Tour from Campbell River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $251

Set out from Campbell River at 9:00 a.m. in a small Zodiac boat carrying no more than 12 people. Your guide and captain, sometimes Becca, takes you through local waters in search of whales, porpoises, eagles, tide pools, and other wildlife. Lunch, hot drinks, and a floater suit are included.

“Our tour guide/boat captain, Becca. was very knowledgeable & interested that her passengers had a great experience We saw whales, porpoises, tide pools & had a magical experience with hundreds (?) of eagles fishing.”

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Campbell River, BC: 4 Hour Wildlife Tour Featuring Whale Watching - Searching Campbell River’s Coastal Waters
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Campbell River, BC: 4 Hour Wildlife Tour Featuring Whale Watching

13.Campbell River, BC: 4 Hour Wildlife Tour Featuring Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $191

Join Eagle Eye Adventures in Campbell River for a four-hour Zodiac trip with up to 11 people. Your guide uses current sightings and sea conditions to plan the route, while warm weather suits help protect you from spray and sudden changes. Look for orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, sea lions, eagles, and bears along the shore.

“We tried to book online and had no success. Went to the office at 8:30 am and met a very friendly receptionist. We mentioned we tried booking online, and the receptionist asked us to wait a minute. She came back to us and was able to book on the first tour if we wanted to book.”

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Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 7-8-Hour Tour from Campbell River - The zodiac ride and the small-group setting
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Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 7-8-Hour Tour from Campbell River

14.Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 7-8-Hour Tour from Campbell River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $299

Set out from Campbell River at 9:30 a.m. for a full day on the coastal waters of Vancouver Island. Your captain may be Brad, Jarek, Becks, Zoe, or another experienced guide, and the route follows wildlife sightings. A maximum of 12 people, survival suits, hot drinks, lunch, and possible views of Cape Mudge Lighthouse make this a serious wildlife outing, not a quick harbor cruise.

“What a great trip- our guide was amazing and the views of the wildlife really good. We saw orca, humpback whales, mink, bald eagles and sea lions. The provided lunch was also amazing- with chicken Caesar wrap, homemade granola bars and cookies snd dried fruit. Best lunch I have had whilst in Canada. Thank you for such a great day!”

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Parksville: Half-Day Whale and Wildlife Adventure - Searching the Northern Salish Sea
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Parksville: Half-Day Whale and Wildlife Adventure

15.Parksville: Half-Day Whale and Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 26 reviews · 3h 30m · from $155

Join Ocean Ecoventures in Parksville for a 3.5 to 4-hour Salish Sea trip with up to 12 people. Captains such as Andy and Andi share whale research while you look for humpbacks, Biggs orcas, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and bald eagles. Flotation suits, gloves, goggles, and toques are provided.

“We saw quite a few whales. Our captain Andy was very knowledgeable, giving all kinds of interesting facts. He was very professional and fun.”

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New in Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises in Canada

★ 5.0Parksville Sunset Whale and Wildlife AdventureFrom $1582 reviews
★ 5.0Parksville Half Day Whale and Wildlife AdventureFrom $1585 reviews
★ 4.0Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale & Bear Wildlife TourFrom $1484 reviews
★ 5.0Comox: 4 Hour Whale and Wildlife Watching TourFrom $1812 reviews

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