The British Columbia coast is known for its excellent whale spotting opportunities, but is whale watching in Vancouver worth it?
Let me break down the tours to see if Vancouver whale watching is worth it for you.
Let’s go!
Is Vancouver Whale Watching Worth It?
Vancouver is a great place to see a variety of whale species like humpback whales, killer whales, and gray whales.
But let me burst the bubble a bit here: you cannot see whales in Vancouver from the shore.
In short, you’ll have to book one of the top Vancouver whale watching tours to see them.
The majority of the tours are half-day tours, with Vancouver whale watching prices costing between $191.95 and $399.99 per person.
So, is whale watching in Vancouver worth it? Let’s break down some pros and cons.
✔️ Pros
- The ability to see the most majestic whale species in the world
- All tours are led by naturalists for maximum education
- Incredible fjord scenery through the Gulf and San Juan island chains
- Bonus wildlife like bald eagles, sea lions, and porpoises
- Drinks and snacks available
- A whale spotting guarantee, or you get another tour for free
❌ Cons
- Even the cheapest tours cost over $150.00 per person
- There is a considerable 3-5 hour time investment not optimal for people in a rush
- A small percentage of people may not like the bumps of the sea
- There are not many tours in off-season: you’ll need to go whale watching in Victoria instead
⚠️ Warning! We are approaching high season (April-October 2024)
Tours tend to sell out in advance – I strongly suggest locking in your dates with buy now/pay later Vancouver whale watching tickets on Viator.
These tickets are fully refundable up to 24 hours before so there’s no risk in guaranteeing your spot.
Related: Best Time to Go Whale Watching in Vancouver
How to Decide Whether to Go on a Whale Watching Tour
If you came to Vancouver for the nature and are not cost-sensitive, this is a no-brainer.
And for those who are on the fence?
Let me put it to you this way: I’ve lived in London, Barcelona, Venice, St Petersburg, and New York City.
These are elite tourist destinations (I’ve even got my own Barcelona blog), and yet I’ve still never experienced anything close to feeling the clap of a killer whale jump in my own backyard.
This is nature’s equivalent of seeing the Eiffel Tower.
If you’ve got the time and money, then it’s one of the top things to do in Vancouver. Admittedly, it can be a bit expensive, but there’s no shame in gearing down by opting for some of Vancouver’s best tours. And luckily, we’re here to find you the best prices online.
And if you’re worried about being seasick?
Book tickets on a state of the art catamaran with Vancouver Whale Watch – you’ve heard of too big to fail? This boat is too big to hurl? Not to mention, all the tours take place in the sheltered waters of the Salish Sea.
Related: Is Whale Watching Better in Vancouver or Victoria?
How to Book Vancouver Whale Watching Tickets
In building my Vancouver whale watching guide I’ve had the chance to partner with multiple booking agents.
Though we also use Viator, I’ve chosen GetYourGuide as my main source for Vancouver whale tours for the following reasons:
- They sell over 60,000 experiences worldwide for one-stop tourism shopping
- They offer the greatest range of Vancouver whale watching tickets
- They offer free cancellation tickets to keep things flexible
- They’ve got a lowest price guarantee that helps you save money
- I think they’ve got the best website and the best review bank
Finally, if you book using the links in the article you’ll be helping me get one step closer to my dream: doing Vancouver Planner for a living.
Every booking helps, and we thank you enormously 
Related: Nanaimo Whale Watching: From Humpbacks to Orcas
Still Wondering if it’s Worth it to Take a Whale Watching Tour?
I’m not going to pretend I know your situation, but I am going to invite you for a chat.
Let me know what you’re thinking, and I can give you some custom advice about seeing whales in Vancouver – or any other activity for that matter.
I hope your Vancouver whale tour is worth it! 🙂
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