Getting in on the best Vancouver whale watching tours is the easiest way to make our city unforgettable.
Where else can you see an orca jump clear out of the water – and clap down on the mighty Pacific like a gunshot ringing out in the distance?
That’s why I’m cutting down the best whale watching tours in Vancouver – starting with our number one choice Vancouver Whale Watch – from dozens to a reliable chosen few.
- Whale watching in Vancouver
- Top whale watching tours from Vancouver
- Choosing the right tour
- Types of whales
- Whale watching tips
- Whale watching FAQ
Vancouver Whale Watching Tours
Especially between March to October, the waters around Vancouver are known for killer whales, humpback whales, and grey whales.
These whales rarely come into the harbour (hence the photoshop above) so the only way to see them is through guided tours.
Vancouver whale watching tours run out of downtown Vancouver, Granville Island and historic Steveston Village.
Each whale watching trip includes professional wildlife guides onboard.
⚠️ Warning! We are in high season (June-October 2023)
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.
All the Vancouver whale watching companies that I’ll be listing also give a whale guarantee.
That’s right, if you don’t see one you’ll get to take another whale watching tour for free!
Best Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver
Vancouver Whale Watch: Cheapest Whale Watching Tour
Departure Point: Steveston Village | 12240 Second Avenue
This is actually the cheapest Vancouver whale watching tour, but I think it offers value in other ways too.
First, it departs from Steveston Village – a historic fishing village which is a tourist attraction in itself – which means smaller crowds.
Being an area of less marine traffic, there’s also a higher whale spotting rate at over 95%.
Their smaller, open Zodiac style vessels also bring you even closer to the orcas, bald eagles, and sea lions.
In guaranteeing your spot with the orange button below you also lock in drinks, snacks, and return shuttle from your downtown Vancouver hotel – a $30 value in itself.
Prince of Whales: Best Granville Island Whale Watching Tour
Departure Point: Granville Island | 1516 Duranleau St.
Prince of Whales kills it with their half-day whale watching tour aboard the Salish Sea Freedom: a luxury, high-speed catamaran that’ll get you to the action in a hurry – right from Granville Island.
These whale watching tickets get you a ride on the biggest ships in the fleet – which means stability for older travellers, children or guests prone to seasickness.
Each trip includes 3-4 naturalists, so this is arguably the most educational whale tour as well. They even throw in a free photo souvenir package.
Lotus Land Whale Watching Tour: Best for Hotel Pickup
Departure Point: Your Hotel or Residence!
This true door-to-whale experience is all about convenience. In fact, forget the car or bus because they’ll pick you up right at your hotel, Airbnb, or private residence.
They’ll bring you right to the docks, where you’ll embark on a Pacific Coast safari on the hunt for killer whales, sealions, bald eagles, and all sorts of marine wildlife.
At five hours long this is an optimal tour for people looking for more time on the water. Expect a small group tour with family vibes.
Finally, this Vancouver whale tour ends with a visit to legendary Granville Island.
Wild Whales Vancouver: Best Small Group Whale Tour
Departure Point: Granville Island | 1806 Mast Tower Rd.
Wild Whales’ short 3-6 hour tours allow you to pair your adventure with a quick visit to any number of the various attractions that Granville Island has to offer.
The difference here is that their Vancouver whale tours are primarily run with small group zodiacs – making it a bit of an adventure as the boat tends to bounce around a bit. For this reason it’s not recommended for seniors or children under 9.
Partial proceeds of this whale watching tour go towards conservation efforts.
Visit the Wild Whales website for more information on their tours.
Seabreeze Adventures: Top Vancouver Zodiac Whale Tour
Departure Point: Steveston Village | 12551 Number 1 Road
Seabreeze adventures offers another option for travellers who wish to sneak in a quick whale watching adventure from Vancouver – while visiting the historic fishing village of Steveston.
Much like Vancouver Whale Watch, their smaller semi-enclosed and Zodiac style vessels are likely more suited for more adventurous travellers than seniors or families with young children.
Check out the Seabreeze Adventures web page for more info.
Choosing a Vancouver Whale Watching Tour
First of all, there’s no need to worry about safety as each whale tour above is certified by Transport Canada.
This means their tour boats are routinely inspected and follow stringent safety protocols.
That’s why my readers usually base their whale watching tour selection on:
- Tour length
- Departure point
- Comfort
- Cost
Let’s get into these orca watching tours a little more.
1) Trip Duration
In general, there are two main whale watching tour durations on offer:
- Half day whale watching tours (3 hours)
- Extended whale watching tours from Vancouver (5-8 hours)
Most people can only stand about three hours on the water, and I don’t blame them, so efficient half day whale tours like Vancouver Whale Watch are the standard.
The Lotusland Hotel Pickup Whale Tour is better for those looking for extra sea time.
2) Departure Points in Vancouver
As mentioned, there are departure points from downtown Vancouver (Coal Harbour), Granville Island and Steveston Village.
Selection depends on where you live or how you want to structure your Vancouver itinerary.
Generally, the three main options are:
- Taking Vancouver Whale Watch or Seabreeze Adventures and turning it into a day visit to historic Steveston. Steveston whale watching tours are often the better option as they’re an hour closer to the grounds.
- Rolling out with Wild Whales or Prince of Whales and combining it with an epic Granville Island afternoon.
- Booking hotel pickup tickets with Killer Whale Safari or Vancouver Whale Watch and letting them take care of it.
3) Comfort of Vessel
Those prone to motion sickness, seniors, and families with small children always prefer the large, luxury catamaran whale watching tour.
Other travellers looking for adventure, true exploration, and even a few wave bumps usually select the Killer Whale Safari.
4) Vancouver Whale Watching Weather
Vancouver is famous for its clouds and rain.
If you’re booking last minute and see bad weather on the horizon you’re going to prefer booking the whale watching tours with the biggest boats.
At any rate, all orca whale watching in Vancouver should be booked using the links above – these get you free cancellation tickets so you’re always free to back out and reschedule if it doesn’t look promising.
Wondering about the weather? Check my post on what to wear whale watching in Vancouver.
5) Cost of Whale Watching Tours from Vancouver
Once you’ve decided upon your preferred vessel type, departure point and length of journey, the base price will likely become the main deciding factor.
The cheapest Vancouver whale watching tour is via Vancouver Whale Watch.
Related: Is Whale Watching in Vancouver Worth It?
Types of Whales in Vancouver
Killer Whale Tours of Vancouver
Season: Year round (peak from April to November)
Killer Whales, also known as orcas, have heavily featured in the myths and legends of local indigenous groups for time immemorial.
Known for their distinctive black and white markings, they are undoubtedly the main attraction when it comes to whale watching in the Salish Sea.
The largest member of the dolphin family, Killer Whales typically measure from 5-8 meters long and weigh between 2-6 tons when full-grown.
These apex predators are highly intelligent and social animals that are known to exhibit complex vocal and behavioural cultures that are without parallel outside of human beings.
From an observers perspective, they are frequently known to engage in hunting and foraging, as well as behaviours such as:
- Breaching (jumping clear out of the water!)
- Tail slapping
- Spy-hopping (holding their heads out of the water and staring at you!)
- People watching
These behaviours make Orcas amongst the most entertaining cetaceans for whale watchers to encounter.
Related: Best Time to See Killer Whales in Vancouver
Related: Is Whale Watching Better in Vancouver or Victoria?
Vancouver Humpback Whale Tours
Season: Summer/Early Fall
Humpback whales has been encountered in increasing numbers in the Salish Sea in recent years, particularly in the Summer and early Fall.
Typically measuring in at around 40-50 feet long and weighing in at a staggering 30-40 tonnes, the Humpback Whale is the largest whale you’ll see on the Salish Sea.
Known to have an extremely large migration route, the Humpback spends it’s Winters in tropical waters around Mexico and Hawaii before migrating to British Columbia and Alaska in the Summer to feed. They then embark on the return trip in the fall.
From an observer’s perspective, these gentle giants are known to be exceedingly curious, making them a favourite of whale watchers worldwide.
Some whales, known as “friendlies” are known to approach whale watchers and stay under or near their boats for a considerable amount of time. You’ll begin to wonder who is watching who!
They are also famous for breaching with wild abandon, throwing their massive 40 ton bodies clear out of the water and splashing down on their backs!
I personally have been lucky enough to see an entire migratory group of a dozen or more Humpback Whales repeatedly breaching near the coast of Haida Gwaii. I can assure you, it was an absolutely unforgettable experience.
Related: Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Vancouver
Grey Whales in Vancouver
Season: March/April and October/November
Named for the grey and white patches on their dark skin, Gray Whales are another large Baleen Whale that measure in at 45-50 feet and 30-40 tonnes.
They are known to have the longest migration route of any marine mammal in the world, spending Winters in Baja California and Summers in the Arctic Ocean, a distance of over 20,000 kilometres.
As a result, they don’t tend to hang around the Vancouver area long, but can often be spotted passing through in the Spring and Fall.
Related: How Many Days Do I Need to Spend in Vancouver?
Vancouver Minke Whales
Season: Year Round
One of the smallest Baleen Whales, the Minke (pronounced Mink-eh) measures 25-35 feet and weighs in at just 3-5 tonnes.
The Minke has a much smaller migration route than the Humpback and Grey Whales, typically only around 4-500 kilometres. As a result, they can be spotted year round in British Columbia’s waters feeding on juvenile herring and cephalopods.
Vancouver Whale Watching Tips
1) Monitor Weather Conditions
While the majority of your tour will be spent amongst the sheltered waters of the Gulf and San Juan Islands, you must cross the Salish Sea in order to get there.
While each best whale watching company in Vancouver are careful not to operate during windy conditions, the crossing can still become choppy, even during sunny weather. Check with your tour operator to ensure that weather conditions are to your satisfaction.
It goes without saying that warm, calm and clear days are ideal for your own comfort, as well as whale visibility. Try to book your tour during these conditions if possible.
If your best whale watching in Vancouver is cancelled for weather, you will be compensated with tickets aboard a future journey, or a refund.
2) Take a Motion Sickness Tablet
While the trips occur in sheltered waters and providers are careful to avoid operating in inclement weather, some passengers can still experience motion sickness.
If you’re prone to this condition we recommend taking a gravol or generic motion sickness tablet one hour prior to departure.
Travellers concerned about motion sickness will likely find a tour trip aboard a larger enclosed, or semi-enclosed vessel more to their satisfaction.
3) Dress For the Occasion
During the best Vancouver whale watching tours you should always dress for the season. But also remain cognizant of the fact that it is almost always cooler and breezier on the water.
The following wardrobe tips should help you dress accordingly:
- Dress in layers, with a thin layer covering your skin, an intermediate layer and a light jacket.
- Long pants will be preferable to skirts or shorts unless at the peak of Summer.
- Beanies/toques and gloves are recommended for early and late season departures
- Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must in the Summertime.
*Check with your company to see what items are included on your tour. Most open-air whale tours in Vancouver will provide hats, gloves and floater jackets. Be clear on this before you leave.
4) Go Early in Your Trip
As stated earlier, most orca watching providers guarantee that if you don’t see any whales, you’ll receive a free trip aboard a future journey.
While such occurrences are rare, we recommend placing an orca whale watching tour near the beginning of your Vancouver travel itinerary in order to take advantage of this guarantee.
5) Bring a Camera
While smartphone cameras have improved significantly in recent years, whale watching trips are one instance that still serve to highlight their short comings.
Vessels are required to remain 100 meters away from whales by the Pacific Whale Watching Association (PWWA). Unfortunately, this is just enough to render your smartphone’s zoom function largely useless.
As a result, a camera with a zoom lens is highly recommended to document your experience.
6) Purchase Your Tickets Online in Advance
In order to secure the best rates possible, it’s recommended to purchase your Vancouver whale watching tickets online.
This will allow you to compare rates from the various providers, as well as give you an idea of the various packages on offer (Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Seattle etc.)
Related: Vancouver’s top kayak tours
Top Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver BC FAQ
When is the peak season for whale watching in Vancouver?
The best time of year to see whales in Vancouver is between April and October. Over these months you can expect a 95% success rate, whether you’re talking orcas, humpbacks, or gray whales.
Where do whale watching trips depart from in Vancouver?
There are tours that leave from Coal Harbour in Downtown Vancouver, Granville Island and Richmond’s Steveston Village (Vancouver’s charming historic fishing village).
What kind of whales will you see when whale watching in Vancouver?
The whales that you can see in Vancouver during whale watching tours are the Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, Gray Whales and Minke Whales.
What other kind of marine wildlife will I see on my tour?
Expect to see Pacific white sided dolphins, stellar sea lions, California sea lions, elephant seals, river otters, bald eagles, and other marine mammals and marine birds.
What’s the best whale watching tour for families in Vancouver?
Prince of Whales offers the largest, most sturdy boats for visitors who may not have sea legs or be able to withstand the bumps of smaller boats.
Furthermore, they also provide educational materials, more naturists aboard than other companies, and provide the biggest discount pricing for children.
What’s the best whale watching tour for couples in Vancouver?
Couples and young people typically enjoy the faster, smaller, and more up close nature of the tour provided by Vancouver Whale Watch. The departure point of Steveston is also a vibrant place to explore with great cafe and restaurant options.
What’s the cheapest whale watching tour in Vancouver?
If you’re looking for a cheap whale watching tour in Vancouver you’ll have to go with the half day tour at Vancouver Whale Watch. Tickets cost $165.75 CAD.
What’s the best whale watching company in Vancouver?
Vancouver Whale Watch and Prince of Whales are the top whale watching companies in Vancouver. The former is better for more of an outdoor safari vibe while the former is a larger boat that’s more like a cruise (ideal for people who don’t like wave bumps),
Ready for Your Whale Watching Tour From Vancouver?
I hope I’ve answered all of your questions about whale watching in Vancouver. If I’ve missed anything though, don’t be afraid to hit me up on the Vancouver Planner Facebook page or in the comments below.
As always, I’ll do my best to address them and find the top whale watching company in Vancouver your your needs 🙂
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