12 Whale Watching Cruises in Victoria Worth Booking

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 3 to 4 naturalists, heated indoor seating, open decks, and free wildlife photos. Look for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and eagles while guides such as Megan, Reid, Jessy, and Janae explain the Salish Sea.

“We really enjoyed this whale watching excursion. Megan, Eden, and especially Janae was so informative and answered all of our questions. And to have pictures sent to us made it even more special. I highly recommend this excursion.”

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2.Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

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

Set out from 812 Wharf Street with a skipper such as Gary, Mark, George, Raj, or Megan on a 12-passenger open Zodiac. Expect close-to-the-water views, fast turns, sea spray, and chances to see orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and eagles.

“Was great saw whales, seals, and sea lions. Instructor was great knew what he was talking about. Would go again.”

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3.Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

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

From Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Orca Spirit Adventures takes you out for about three hours aboard a covered vessel with indoor seating, washrooms, and outdoor viewing decks. Marine naturalists such as Ryan, Briar, Liam, and Jake explain whale behavior while you watch for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, eagles, and more.

“Don't be fooled by the name. We spent ages looking for this place and then decided to go into Orca Spirit Adventures who told us we were in the right place. We also weren't aware of just how far away it was from the cruise ship, so would advise getting a cab. However, despite missing our original trip we were quickly offered a replacement trip for the afternoon which we accepted. The trip itself was great. Captain George, Bria and Rhyan were very knowledgeable . Captain George took us to all the places, whales and orcas were sited. We had a brilliant encounter with a pod of orcas, it was…”

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4.Victoria Whale Watch Tour

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

Cruise Victoria’s Salish Sea aboard SpringTide’s 60-foot Ocean Cruiser for about three hours. Naturalists such as Katie, Aly, and Ian explain the whales, while Captain Jasper and the crew search for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals, otters, and eagles. Choose a morning or afternoon sailing.

“Perfect weather, saw several orcas and the crew was very knowledgable and really friendly and attentive. Could not rate this experience high enough. Defiantly a must do.”

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5.Whale Watching Trip on Covered Boat

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

Cruise from Victoria with marine naturalists such as Jake, Liam, and Sophia, watching for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and birds. The covered boat offers indoor and outdoor viewing, hot coffee and tea, bathrooms, hotel transfers, a conservation fee, free photos, and a second trip if no whales appear.

“Fabulous experience, we saw many humpbacks and other wildlife, our guide, Bella, was extremely knowledgeable - would recommend highly.”

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6.Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

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

Join Prince of Whales at Victoria’s 812 Wharf Street for a four-hour Salish Sea cruise aboard the Salish Sea catamaran. Marine naturalists such as Algebra, Michael, Megan, and Reid explain the wildlife while the crew searches for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, otters, and eagles. Free photos let you watch instead of fussing with your camera.

“Fantastic outing to see whales. The team were also fantastic with great knowledge, and a great service with a smile. The boat was so smooth and everything was perfect. Thanks to Francois, Sandy, Jamie, Michael and Maddie, you made the trip a great experience. Would recommend this trip. Steve and Sarah Wenmoth from the UK, what a memory.”

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7.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 in a small Zodiac boat with a professional skipper and survival suit. Search for orcas and humpback whales, visit Race Rocks and Fisgard Lighthouse, and watch seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Guides may include Shannon, Tyler, Vicky, Josh, or Gareth.

“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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8.Victoria Whale Watching Cruise with Expert Naturalists

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

Join Five Star Whale Watching in Victoria for a three-hour Salish Sea cruise led by two naturalists. You may see orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and marine birds from a purpose-built vessel carrying up to 40 people. Dress warmly and return to the same meeting point.

“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”

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9.3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

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

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour aboard the Marauder IV, a heated motor yacht with washroom, warm drinks, and open viewing decks. Naturalists such as Katie, Morgan, Heather, and Ali explain orcas, humpbacks, birds, and the Salish Sea while the crew searches for wildlife.

“A fabulous trip thanks to Heather, Poppy ans captain Jasper. Poppy rang us the night before to confirm our booking and we met at the office the next morning to board the boat with 40 others. plenty of room and coffee and hot chocolate available. Do take lots of layers I had a fleece on, they my coat and eventually a waterproof plus my beanie hat. long trousers also a must it can get very cold one you get out of the harbour. As we were at the rear of the boat which is more stable Poppy gave us information on the whales as we went along. We saw so…”

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10.Whale Watching Tour by Zodiac Boat

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

Join SpringTide Whale Watching at Victoria’s Wharf Street office, suit up in a complimentary flotation suit, then head into the Salish Sea by open-air Zodiac. Your English-speaking skipper may be Jasper, Heather, Ian, Tyson, or another experienced guide, with stops for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and birds.

“Awesome! Saw lots of sea lions bald eagles and a family of orcas. Fantastic afternoon”

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11.Telegraph Cove: Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 130 reviews · 3 hours · from $149

From Telegraph Cove Resort, join guides such as Val or Scott aboard the Ocean Magic II for three hours in Johnstone Strait. Look for orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, sea lions, seals, and seabirds while three naturalists provide live commentary. Hot drinks and free wildlife photos are included.

“Absolutely stunning! Seeing Orcas up close was magical! We saw so much wildlife and the guides knew so much about the local area! Memories for a lifetime, couldn’t recommend enough.”

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12.Whale Watching Marine Wildlife Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19 reviews · from $113Best value

Join a biology-certified marine naturalist on a small Zodiac from Victoria’s Wharf Street for three hours around Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait. The open boat reaches wildlife quickly, with chances to see humpback and killer whales, sea lions, seals, otters, and marine birds. Tyler has recently guided several well-liked trips.

“We had a really great guide in Tyler, who responded very quickly to new situations and kept us informed. We were very lucky and were able to see a humpback whale.”

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