Is Whale Watching Better in Vancouver or Victoria?

When it comes to whale watching, Vancouver and Victoria are each, in their own way, in a league of their own.

But with tours often costing hundreds, you deserve a clear, no-fluff comparison.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences – especially travel logistics – so you can decide if whale watching is better in Vancouver or Victoria.

Is Whale Watching Better in Vancouver or Victoria?

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First things first: In both cases, we’re talking about whales from the same Pacific waters.

Basically, Vancouver and Victoria are on opposite sides of the same sea, so don’t expect Free Willy in one location and nothing in the other.

There’s so much wildlife to discover that each individual tour ends up being very different – and both have whale sighting guarantees, so there’s no risk in going.

Here’s a quick sneak preview of what I’ll get into below:

So what’s my suggestion? Well, instinct says to book whichever tour is most convenient for you.

In other words, you literally can’t go wrong with either one unless the boat gets struck by a rogue missile – and it hasn’t happened yet!

But, what about the cost and what you can expect to see?

Let’s go into this big Vancouver vs. Victoria fight in a bit more detail:

1) Whale Tour Cost: Vancouver 🏆

When comparing costs between the best Vancouver whale watching tours and the best Victoria whale watching tours we get the following:

Vancouver:

• Vancouver Whale Watch: 3-hour half-day tour on open zodiacs from Steveston ($191.25 CAD)
• Prince of Whales: 3-hour tour on large covered catamarans from Granville Island ($246.99 CAD)
• Lotus Land Whale Safari: 3-5 hour marine safari with killer whales + hotel pickup ($439.99 CAD)

Victoria:

• Half Day Victoria Whale Watch: 3-hour tour on semi-covered catamarans ($210.99 CAD)
• Sunset Whale Watching Victoria: 3-hour sunset tour ($210.99 CAD)
• Zodiac Whale Adventure: 3-hour open-top zodiac tour with killer whales ($225.99 CAD)

As you can see, surprisingly, Vancouver wins out for having cheaper tours than Victoria – if only by about eight bucks.

That said, though it didn’t make my list of top tours, there is a Victoria whale tour for just $189.00 if you’re really on a tight budget.

🐋 More: Are Vancouver whale watching tours worth it?

2) Location: Victoria 🏆

Whale watching tours offered from Vancouver and Victoria take place in the same waters.

In fact, in some instances, they’re even offered by the same companies.

However, Victoria’s Inner Harbour is much closer to the whale-watching grounds than Vancouver.

This eliminates the need to cross the Salish Sea – and means there’s less of a chance of rough weather.

In short, Victoria is a shorter, more pleasant experience out on the water.

3) Convenience: Victoria 🏆

Victoria’s tours are offered from the heart of the city’s Inner Harbour. This means the Victoria departure point is just a 5-10 minute walk from the city centre.

On the other hand, Vancouver tours are usually offered from Granville Island or Steveston Village.

Although they’re not difficult to reach, they’re not as convenient for visitors staying at downtown Vancouver hotels.

That said, Vancouver’s Killer Whale Safari does offer hotel pickup, but it’ll cost you a bit more.

4) Availability: Victoria 🏆

April to October is considered the peak whale-watching season in the Salish Sea, regardless of your port of departure.

This is due to the migratory patterns of whales and weather changes

Simply put, crossing the Salish Sea during the winter months gets super rough. As a result, Vancouver whale-watching tours are not offered between the months of October and April.

However, Victoria’s close proximity to the whale-watching grounds negates the need to cross these sometimes treacherous seas.

Because of this, Victoria whale-watching operators are able to offer tours year-round – unlike their Vancouver-based cousins.

🥇 Winner: Victoria is Better than Vancouver for Whale Watching

Victoria edges out Vancouver for whale watching thanks to closer access to prime whale habitats, particularly the Salish Sea and the Gulf Islands, which means shorter boat rides and slightly higher odds of spotting orcas and humpbacks.

The city also has more operators specializing in eco-friendly tours, plus the open-ocean feel can make the experience feel more adventurous.

That said, the difference is not dramatic – Vancouver tours are still excellent, with plenty of whale sightings and great tour options.

Unless you have plenty of time to visit both cities, the best choice often comes down to convenience. If you’re already in Vancouver, there’s no need to make the extra journey to Victoria just for whale watching.

Both cities offer unforgettable experiences.

Alternatives to Vancouver and Victoria Whale Tours

So, is whale watching really better in Vancouver or Victoria?

It’s kind of like asking whether you’d like to see major league baseball in Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field.

There’s no good answer, and it’s largely personal… but, if you’re still not convinced here’s some alternative whale watching locations in southern British Columbia and their pros:

🛥️ Nanaimo whale watching

• Fewer crowds
• Quick access to orcas and humpbacks
• Combo tours (whales + fishing or snorkeling)
• Depart from downtown Nanaimo
• Often cheaper than Victoria

🛥️ San Juan Islands whale watching

• Top spot for orca sightings
• Very close to whale feeding areas
• Lots of wildlife (whales, porpoises, seals)
• Calm waters, scenic views
• Eco-friendly tour operators

Still Wondering if Whale Watching is Better in Vancouver or Victoria?

Again, you see the same whales from both cities, and it’ll be a home run no matter where you go from – but if you’re visiting both cities, I’m going with Victoria.

That said, an epic killer whale splash is the same on either side – and each city has whale spotting guarantees.

If you’re still on the fence about Victoria, you can’t go wrong by booking any of the following Vancouver tours:

Still not sure whether whale watching is better in Vancouver or Victoria?

Don’t be afraid to fire your questions at me in the comments below.