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closeup of a pod of orcas on a vancouver whale tour

4 Best Vancouver Whale Watching Tours (2024 Reviews)

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 reviewing the best whale watching tours in Vancouver – starting with our number one choice Vancouver Whale Watch.

Let’s break down whale watching in Vancouver!

Vancouver Whale Watching: How to Go on Killer Whale Tours in Vancouver (2024)

A pod of Orcas swim in front of the Vancouver skyline

First off, the best time of year to see whales in Vancouver is between March and October.

This is when you’ve got the best shot to see 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 Vancouver killer whale tours.

Vancouver whale watching tours run out of downtown Vancouver, Granville Island and historic Steveston Village.

Each whale watching trip from Vancouver includes professional wildlife guides onboard.

All the Vancouver whale watching companies that I’ll be listing also guarantee whale sightings.

Warning: I’ve dedicated 1000’s of hours to this free resource and I want this to become my full time jobs – Tripadvisor, watch out! 😛 So please know I may earn a commission from some of the links here at no extra cost to you. You can read our affiliate disclaimer for more info.

Best Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver

an orca spotted during vancouver whale watching tour

Vancouver Whale Watch: Cheapest Whale Watching Tour in Vancouver

Departure Point: Steveston Village

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 a return shuttle from your downtown Vancouver hotel.

The Salish Dream in port
Instagram: @princeofwhaleswhalewatching

Prince of Whales: Best Granville Island Whale Watching Tour

Departure Point: Granville Island

Prince of Whales kills it with their half-day whale watching tour from Vancouver aboard the Salish Sea Freedom.

This is 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 whale trip includes 3-4 naturalists, so this is arguably the most educational orca watching tour as well. They even throw in a free photo souvenir package

orca tail sticking out of water on a sunset whale watching tour of vancouver

Prince of Whales: Best Sunset Whale Watching Tour of Vancouver

Departure Point: Granville Island

Looking to add a little romance or some epic dusk lighting to your Vancouver orca tour?

This exclusive sunset whale watching tour runs only from June to September to take advantage of the good weather.

You’ll roll out with a boat featuring an indoor, heated cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air decks as well.

They’ll even send you home with professional photos of you and your loved ones aboard.

a killer whale jumping out of the water along the vancouver bc coastDeparture Point: Your Hotel or Residence!

Lotus Land: Best Whale-Watching Tour in Vancouver for Hotel Pickup

This true door-to-door Vancouver whale tour 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, sea lions, bald eagles, and all sorts of marine wildlife.

At five hours long, this is the best whale tour in Vancouver 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.

Vancouver Whale Watching Prices

So, how much does it cost to go whale watching in Vancouver?

Below, I’ve got a handy graph of whale watching prices in Vancouver, with some extra info on departure points.

TourLocationPriceMore Info
Vancouver Whale WatchSteveston$191.95More info
Prince of WhalesGranville Island$235.99More info
Sunset Whale TourGranville Island$214.99More info
Lotus Land SafariHotel Pickup$399.00More info
All prices are listed in CAD.

Again, the cheapest whale watching tour in Vancouver is with Vancouver Whale Watch.

Whale Watching Vancouver Discount

With a typical Google search, you might think you can find Vancouver whale watching discounts.

The problem is that these websites are ‘click farms’ with fake codes to get you to their PPC (Pay Per Click) website.

Vancouver whale watching is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: it can’t be put on sale like a sweater.

Unfortunately, Vancouver whale watching prices have only been going up for years – so get them while it’s comparatively cheap!

A pod of orcas swims in front of a whale watching boat, Victoria BC

How to Book Vancouver Whale Watching Tickets

Warning: For environmental reasons, whale watching tours of Vancouver run at limited capacities. Ensure you book your tickets way in advance or it’s likely you’ll find your dates fully booked.

Booking tickets for Vancouver orca tours is as simple as a purchase on Amazon – in fact, it’s even faster.

Here, I’ll walk you through the process with our top whale watching tour: Vancouver Whale Watch.

The same is valid for all the links here, but since it’s my #1 recommend whale tour I’ll choose this.

1. Open the Vancouver Whale Tour of Your Choice

  • Head to the Vancouver Whale Watch portal on Viator.
  • Here, you’re booking with a publicly traded company (Tripadvisor) with a $3 billion market cap.
  • Booking with them gets you book now pay later killer whale tours, which help a lot with budgeting.
  • You’re also locking in Viator’s lowest price guarantee to help you save money.

2. Select Your Whale Tour Time

  • Click the green ‘Check Availability’ button on the product page
  • Select a date on the calendar (between April 1st – October 31st)
  • Choose the number of people and click ‘Apply’
  • Select your time and click ‘Reserve Now & Pay Later’ or ‘Book Now’

FYI: If you choose ‘Reserve Now & Pay Later’ you’ll have the option to pay for the tickets at any point up to 48 hours before the whale tour.

Change your mind? Either way, you can cancel your tickets free of charge up to 24 hours before.

Boom! You can lock in your killer whale tour of Vancouver dates in less than 2 minutes.

A whale watching zodiac passes in front of a lighthouse
Instagram: @princeofwhaleswhalewatching

How to Choose the Best Vancouver Whale Watching Tour

Vancouver Orca Watching Safety

First of all, there’s no need to worry about safety as each whale tour is certified by Transport Canada.

This means these Vancouver orca tour boats are routinely inspected and follow stringent safety protocols.

That’s why my readers usually base their whale watching tour selection on the following:

  • Tour length
  • Departure point
  • Comfort
  • Cost

Let’s get into these orca watching tours a little more.

Duration of Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver

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.

a humpback whale spotted during vancouver whale watching tour

Whale Tour Departure Locations

As mentioned, orca tours in Vancouver depart from downtown, Granville Island, and Steveston Village.

So, your best whale watching tour in Vancouver really depends on how you want to structure your Vancouver itinerary.

Generally, the three main options are:

  1. Taking Vancouver Whale Watch 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.
  2. Whale watching at Granville Island with Prince of Whales means you can combined it with a visit to Vancouver’s best food market..
  3. Booking hotel pickup tickets with Killer Whale Safari or Vancouver Whale Watch and letting them take care of it.

Type of Boats Used for Your Orca Tour Vancouver

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.

Vancouver Whale Watching Weather

It’s no secret: Vancouver is famous for clouds and rain.

But can you go whale watching in the rain in Vancouver? Yes, as long as the seas remain calm.

If you’re booking orca whale watching from Vancouver last minute but see bad weather in the forecast, 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.

Related: Is Whale Watching in Vancouver Worth It?

humpback breaching on a vancouver whale watching tour

Types of Whales in Vancouver

Here’s a quick run of which species you can see during Vancouver whale watching tours:

  • Killer Whales: Also known as orcas, these ‘killer beauties’ have distinct black and white markings, travel in family pods, and exhibit impressive breaches and tail slaps.
  • Humpback Whales: Identified by their long pectoral fins, they are acrobatic, often leaping out of the water, and produce complex songs.
  • Gray Whales: Migratory giants with a bumpy appearance, they undertake one of the longest migrations and display spyhopping, raising their heads above water.
  • Minke Whales: Smaller and sleek, they have a white belly, are curious, and approach boats cautiously, sometimes even breaching.

The most common of all the whales in Vancouver is, thankfully, the killer whale!

Why Should I Go Whale Watching in Vancouver?

  • Strategic location: the Pacific coast provides easy access to diverse whale habitats. The city serves as a gateway to the Gulf Islands, the Strait of Georgia, and the Juan de Fuca Strait, where whales frequent during migrations.
  • Great whale variety: There are tons of whales in Vancouver, including orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, minkes, and even occasional visits from the majestic blue whales. This diversity ensures that visitors have a high chance of encountering these incredible creatures.
  • Responsible whale watching: with operators adhering to strict regulations to minimize disturbance to the animals. Naturalists and marine biologists often accompany tours, providing valuable insights into whale behaviour and conservation efforts.
  • Breathtaking natural beauty: The Vancouver coastline, with its snow-capped mountains and lush forests, adds a scenic backdrop to whale watching adventures, making it truly the best place for whale watching.

Tips for the Best Orca Watching in Vancouver

1) Monitor Weather Conditions

While the majority of your Vancouver orca 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.

That means the crossing can become choppy, even during sunny weather. Check with your tour operator to ensure that weather conditions are to your satisfaction.

If your whale watching tour of Vancouver is cancelled due to weather, you will be compensated with tickets aboard a future journey or a refund.

2) Take a Motion Sickness Tablet

While each best whale watching tour in Vancouver is in sheltered waters, 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 prefer a Vancouver whale trip with a larger enclosed or semi-enclosed vessel.

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 killer 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 orca trip on 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 highlights their shortcomings.

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 Vancouver orca watching prices possible, it’s recommended to purchase your whale watching tickets online.

This will allow you to compare whale watching prices 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

seal on the coast of vancouver bc

Other Wildlife on Whale Watching Tours of Vancouver

Bald Eagles: Spot these majestic birds perched high in treetops or soaring over the water.
Seals and Sea Lions: Observe these playful marine mammals lounging on rocky outcrops or bobbing in the water.
Porpoises and Dolphins: On Vancouver whale tours watch for the sleek dorsal fins of Dall’s porpoises and Pacific white-sided dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
Otters: Catch a glimpse of sea otters floating on their backs, often seen in kelp beds.
Marine Birds: Identify a variety of seabirds, including puffins, cormorants, and gulls, thriving in the coastal ecosystem.
Great Blue Herons: Spot these large, wading birds along the shoreline, especially in quieter inlets and bays.

Related: When is the Best Time to See Killer Whales in Vancouver?

Related: The Best Steveston Whale Watching Tours

Related: Nanaimo Whale Watching

Related: The Best Whale Watching Tours in Victoria

Winter Whale Watching Trips in Vancouver

If you’re looking for off-season whale watching in Vancouver, you’re unfortunately out of luck.

Whale watching tours in Vancouver are typically unavailable in winter due to several factors.

Firstly, the harsh weather conditions and colder sea temperatures during winter make it challenging for tour operators to provide safe and comfortable experiences for passengers.

Secondly, many whales near Vancouver migrate to warmer waters during this season, reducing the likelihood of sightings in the area.

Lastly, shorter daylight hours limit the time available for tours.

Looking for winter whale watching? You’ll have to book tickets for whale watching in Victoria – just a couple of hours away on Vancouver Island.

How Much is Whale Watching in Vancouver?

The cost of whale watching tours in Vancouver varies depending on the tour operator and the length of the tour.

In general, most tourists go for half day tours that last between three to five hours.

Most of these whale watching tours range in price from $191.95 CAD to $359.00 CAD per person.

In American dollars, that’s a range of $141.77 to $265.00 per person.

Here’s a quick rundown of how much the top whale watching tours in the city cost:

Most tour operators offer 15-20% discounts for youths and small children, though seniors usually have to pay the full price.

Top Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver BC FAQ

Are there whale watching tours from Vancouver?

Yes, there are multiple whale watching tours from Vancouver departing from downtown Vancouver, Granville Island, and Steveston.

Which whale watching from Vancouver is the best?

The best whale watching in Vancouver is with Prince of Whales: their half-day orca tours start at $191.95 and depart from nearby Steveston.

Where do whale watching tours in Vancouver depart from?

Vancouver whale watching tours depart from Coal Harbour in Downtown Vancouver, Granville Island and Richmond’s Steveston Village.

What kind of whales can you see in Vancouver?

The whales that you can see in Vancouver are the Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, Gray Whales and Minke Whales.

What’s the best whale watching tour in Vancouver for families?

Prince of Whales offers the best whale watching tour in Vancouver for families, as it has the most sturdy boats 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 cheapest whale watching tour in Vancouver?

The cheapest whale watching tour in Vancouver is the half day tour at Vancouver Whale Watch: tickets cost $191.95 CAD.

What’s the best whale watching company in Vancouver?

The best whale watching company in Vancouver is a tie between Vancouver Whale Watch and Prince of Whales.

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),

How much is whale watching in Vancouver?

Vancouver whale watching costs between $191.95 (half-day package) and $399.00 (ocean safari with hotel pick-up).

Ready for Your Whale Watching Tour from Vancouver?

I hope I’ve answered all of your questions about whale watching in Vancouver.

That said, if I’ve missed anything, though, don’t be afraid to hit me up about orca tours on the Vancouver Planner Facebook page or in the comments below.

As always, I’ll do my best to address them and find the best Vancouver whale watching for your needs 🙂

Julian

I've used online guides on five continents to find the world's greatest travel spots and this is my chance to give back - with insider info on my home, the mighty Vancouver BC!

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