15 Standout Zodiac and RIB Whale Watching in Canada

1.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,716 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $98Our pick

Set out from Tadoussac or Baie-Ste-Catherine in a 24 or 60-passenger Zodiac for a 2 to 2.5-hour whale watch. Bilingual naturalists point out minke, humpback, fin, and beluga whales when conditions cooperate. Waterproof gear is provided, and the route may include the Saguenay Fjord, Prince Shoal Light, and steep cliffs near the river mouth.

“knowledge of guide and beauty of location. seeing so many whales and so many different types of whale. fantastic afternoon.”

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2.Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

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

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.”

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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”

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4.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”

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5.Vancouver Island Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure – Telegraph Cove

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $169

Join Prince of Whales for a three-hour Zodiac trip from Telegraph Cove. With up to 12 people, a guide such as Scotty, and warm flotation suits for cool weather, you may see orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, sea lions, otters, and eagles. The boat returns to the marina.

“Scottie prima reisleider, heel veel walvissen, dolfijnen en bruinvissen gezien. Ook de prachtige omgeving is alleen al de moeite waard”

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6.Whale Watching Tour by Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 233 reviews · 3 hours · from $138

Set out from Victoria’s Wharf Street in an open-air Zodiac for 3 to 3.5 hours on the Salish Sea. You’ll wear a complimentary flotation suit, learn about whales and coastal ecology from an English-speaking skipper, and search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and marine birds. Expect fast travel, frequent stops, and a bumpy ride.

“It was awesome. Totally worth it especially when we saw the sea lions. Our guide was very knowledgeable about where and how to find the whales. I would highly recommend grabbing the gloves and hat they provide because the wind makes it cold.”

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7.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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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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9.Victoria Whale Watching Tour by Zodiac

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $111

From Victoria’s Inner Harbour, you’ll board a small Zodiac with up to 12 passengers and head into the Salish Sea with guides such as Ian, Cam, Tyler, or Kate. Expect a fast, chilly ride, expert wildlife commentary, and possible sightings of orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, eagles, and otters. Warm layers, gloves, and a hat matter.

“We went out on a zodiac for a watch December 2nd. The other people who booked never showed up so it was our incredible guide Tyler and my wife and I. The zodiac boats are so fast and fun. The boats are close to the water and can get to the best sightings quickly. It's is a different experience from a traditional big craft. Tyler, our guide, was so happy to spend the afternoon with us(it was our anniversary). He was very knowledgeable in the area and its ecosystem, as well as species of wildlife available to see. We went out in the high hopes of seeing orcas in the…”

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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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11.Whale Watching Adventure in a Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 129 reviews · 3 hours · from $149

Leave Victoria’s Inner Harbour in a 12-seat Zodiac with a Transport Canada-approved skipper such as Mark or George. Expect a fast, bumpy ride along Vancouver Island’s coast, with chances to see orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Warm flotation suits, hot drinks, and a lifetime whale-sighting guarantee are included.

“3 Orcas, 1 Humpback, a lot Sealions, 1 Seaotter, a great Skipper and a lot of Fun with speeding the Zodiac”

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12.Telegraph Cove: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour in a Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 109 reviews · 3 hours · from $165

Set out from Telegraph Cove in a 12-seat Zodiac with a Transport Canada-approved skipper such as Scottie, James, or Connor. After gearing up in a warm cruiser suit, spend three hours seeking orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. The ride is fast, exposed, and best for people who can handle cool weather and rough water.

“We had an amazing time ! Our guide Scotty was the best to find the best watching 😍 we saw whales, sea lions … and a family of orquas hunting !! It was crazy Thanks a lot Scotty, a dream came true for us !!”

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13.Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour Small Zodiac with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 65 reviews · 5 hours · from $160

Join Vancouver Whale Watch for a 3 to 5 hour zodiac trip from Richmond through the Strait of Georgia and Gulf Islands. A guide such as Kai explains local marine life while the skipper searches for orcas and humpbacks. You wear a supplied full-body mustang suit, with a whale-sighting guarantee if the first trip comes up empty.

“They promised whales watching. And of course you will have! Even saw orcas! Good guide!”

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14.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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15.6 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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