The 9 Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises in Canada

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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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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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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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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5.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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6.4 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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7.Sunset Whale and Wildlife Adventure in Cowichan Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

Set out from Cowichan Bay for 3.5 to 4 hours with Ocean EcoVentures, searching for humpback and killer whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and other wildlife. The boat carries no more than 12 people, and guides such as Andi, Taz, and Kate add lively natural-history commentary. Floatation suits keep you warm on the open water.

“This was my 3rd late afternoon/sunset whale watching trip with OceanEcoventures in the past year. I’ve loved every single one, as have my guests visiting from both France and Germany. Yesterday’s trip included sealions, harbour seals, a glimps of porpoise AND three families of Orca - 11 in all. It was so exciting. Even though I’m a local, these trips will be an annual adventure for my guests and I.”

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8.Whales and Wildlife Boat Tour with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $160

Join Discovery West Adventures at Campbell River’s Discovery Harbour Marina for a four-hour wildlife cruise on a new, covered 30-foot aluminum boat. Your English-speaking captain shares local coastal knowledge while you search for seals, porpoises, eagles, whales, dolphins, sea lions, and seasonal bears. Snacks, hot drinks, water, juice, and an onboard bathroom are included.

“We loved this tour. The boat is brand new and purpose built, it was very comfortable and practical. Even the the weather was not fantastic we were warm and dry and still saw amazing wildlife.”

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9.Comox: 4 Hour Whale and Wildlife Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 4 hours · from $181

Set out from Comox Municipal Marina for four hours among the Salish Sea and Desolation Sound. Your English-speaking crew searches for humpback whales, Bigg’s orcas, dolphins, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and seabirds. A heated cabin, bathroom, outdoor deck, snacks, and drinks make this a practical choice for wildlife watching in changeable coastal weather.

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