Whale Watching
Sightseers whale watching (Canadian Tourism Commission photo)
Vancouver whale-watching tours offer breathtaking scenery and wildlife viewing just minutes from a major urban centre.
Upon leaving the dock, passengers are surrounded by incredible coastal settings and have the opportunity to see Orcas (killer whales), grey whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and other marine life like porpoises, dolphins and seabirds.
On a whale-watching tour, it's possible to see Orcas breaching, spyhopping and hunting. Use onboard charts to identify individual whales, and listen through hydrophones to hear whales communicating underwater.
Whale-watching tours depart from downtown Vancouver and from nearby Steveston, located at the mouth of the Fraser River in Richmond, with whales generally seen in the waters of the Georgia Strait, Gulf Islands or San Juan Islands.
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When to Go Whale Watching
Whale watching season runs from April to October. Peak viewing time for Orcas is June to September, while grey whales are mostly seen in April and May. During peak viewing months most whale-watching tours enjoy a 90% success rate in sighting whales.
With more than 80 resident Orcas and numerous transient whales inhabiting local waters, whale sightings are so reliable that most companies offer “guaranteed sightings” – if whales are not spotted, passengers can take the trip again for free.
Vancouver Whale-Watching Tours
Whale-watching trips are suitable for all ages and typically last three to five hours. Tour companies share whale location information with each other, so each trip has an excellent chance of spotting whales.
Whale-watching vessels vary in size from 12-passenger zodiac-style inflatables to large, custom-built boats that can take 50 or more passengers. Onboard naturalists help educate and identify whales and other marine life during the trip.
Popular Whale-Watching Spots
Whale-watching boats depart daily from Granville Island, one of Vancouver's most popular attractions. Take in the view of beaches and skyscrapers along False Creek and English Bay before heading into Georgia Strait.
Looking for the ultimate day trip? Depart from downtown Vancouver on Prince of Whales' flagship vessel for a day of whale watching and end with an afternoon trip Victoria's famous Butchart Gardens. The vessel will depart from The Butchart Gardens private dock and arrive back in Vancouver in time for dinner.
Vancouver Whale Watch and Steveston Seabreeze Adventures offer guided whale-watching trips departing from Steveston. Choose from a high-speed inflatable or deluxe, custom-built vessels with raised viewing platforms and both covered and outdoor seating areas. Vancouver Whale Watch offers direct shuttle bus service to Steveston from several downtown Vancouver locations.
Don’t have time for a full day on the water? Vancouver Whale Watch and Steveston Seabreeze Adventures offer seasonal Steller and California sea lion tours. Or take a narrated, 45-minute historic nature tour on the Fraser River, gliding past old canneries and fishing boats while keeping watch for eagles, herons and other marine life.
Whales at the Vancouver Aquarium
No time for whale watching by boat? Visit the Vancouver Aquarium to get up close and personal with white beluga whales. See the whale show as part of the admission; for an extra cost, the aquarium offers hands-on experiences: touch and feed the whales or participate in a whale-training session.
Practical Points:
- Peak season for whale watching is between May and October
- Most whale-watching operators require advance reservations.
- Dress in warm layers as boat decks can be breezy.
- Seasickness is generally not an issue, but for trips on open waters be prepared for some motion.
- Visit local Visitor Centres for help with trip ideas, planning and transportation.
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6 Whale Watching in Vancouver
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1
1
812 Wharf Street In Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 1T3
Websitehttp://www.princeofwhales.com
Toll-free888-383-4884
Phone250-383-4884
Prince of Whales is British Columbia's largest marine adventure company & has been providing premier whale watching experiences for almost 20 years. With offices in Vancouver & Victoria, Prince of Whales is the number one choice for whale watching on the West Coast.
Guests traveling to Victoria can choose from our Zodiac Adventure tours or our Ocean Magic Cruiser tours. Join us from June through August, out of Vancouver, as we depart on our Ultimate Day Tour. Enjoy comfort and convenience, as well as spectacular views, as we travel through the Gulf Islands on route to Victoria & the Butchart Gardens.
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2
12551 #1 Rd
Richmond, British Columbia
V7E 1T7
Websitehttp://www.seabreezeadventures.ca
Toll-free888-272-7203
Phone604-272-7200
Departing historic Steveston village, 'Gateway to the Orcas', join us for a cruise through the Gulf Islands in search of orcas & other whales. Along the way, be on the lookout for seals, sea lions, porpoises and aquatic birds, as well as the majestic bald eagles.
The boats are semi-enclosed with an upper viewing deck. The small group size of 23 passengers allows you freedom to move around the vessel. We are an owner-operated company and each tour is fully narrated. We have on-board washroom facilities & complimentary water & coffee are provided. Pre-ordered lunch is also available.
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3
210-12240 Second Ave
Richmond, British Columbia
V7E 3L8
Websitehttp://www.vancouverwhalewatch.com
Toll-free
Phone604-274-9565
Go whale watching with Vancouver Whale Watch. This adventure tour of a lifetime starts in picturesque Steveston, travelling through the spectacular Gulf & San Juan Islands. We offer whale watching, wildlife viewing & nature tours in open or semi-covered zodiac style vessels. See Orcas (Killer Whales), Dall's porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles & seals. The only company with Zodiac style boats, we ensure a safe & stable ride for all ages. Avoid ferry hassles by taking your tour direct from Vancouver. Our shuttle will pick you up at your hotel & have you back downtown before dinner. Guaranteed sightings.
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4
1806 Mast Tower Rd
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6H 4B6
Websitehttp://www.whalesvancouver.com
Toll-free
Phone604-699-2011
Wild Whales Vancouver is the only dedicated whale watching company departing from Vancouver. The Wild Whales experience allows you to observe Killer Whales and the diverse wildlife of the Pacific Coast in their natural habitat. It is an unforgettable, trip of a lifetime!
Board one of our vessels at Vancouver's historic Granville Island. Keep your cameras ready as you travel into English Bay, where views of Vancouver and the Coast Mountains are.
Every trip is different as we explore the Strait of Georgia, the Canadian Gulf Islands and the US San Juan Islands in search of whales. Sightings guaranteed!
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Other businesses with Whale Watching
5
1 Burrard Landing 1055 Canada Place
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6C 0C3
Websitehttp://www.harbourair.com
Toll-free800-665-0212
Phone604-233-3505
Experience Vancouver from a new point of view with a breathtaking seaplane adventure. Enjoy a 20 min Vancouver Panorama flight featuring spectacular aerial views of the city & surrounding mountains or take part in a Fly 'N Dine tour including a seaplane flight to Horseshoe Bay, 3-course dinner & limousine back to downtown Vancouver. Whale watching & flight packages to Victoria are also available.
Harbour Air provides a reliable & convenient link to Vancouver Island, offering daily scheduled flights to Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Whistler. Proud to be North America's first carbon neutral airline.
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6
Websitehttp://www.oceanadventures.bc.ca
Toll-free
Phone604-812-9453
Join us to experience unparallelled wildlife viewing, whale watching, & awe-inspiring First Nations culture, amidst BC's most spectacular landscapes. Our small group sizes mean our guests enjoy the most intimate experiences with nature & our photographers the best opportunities... our guests are never just part of a crowd. With our small groups (maximum 6 guests per trip), our fully certified professional guides can better ensure the safety of the group while having the least impact on the lands we visit & the wildlife we view. Join our scheduled trips or design your own custom (private) charter and experience the Wild in Wilderness!
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