Canada · WHALE WATCHING

The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours in Canada

34 tours  ·  from $95 a head

Orcas and humpbacks on the Pacific side, belugas and blue whales in the St Lawrence. The 15 below compare covered boats against open zodiacs on price, crossing time and how close each operator actually gets.

Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - Five hours of searching the Pacific coast
Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours in Vancouver, Whale Watching

Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

1.Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,000 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $193Our pick

Leave Granville Island aboard a 95-passenger catamaran with heated cabins, open-air decks, hot drinks, and free wildlife photos. Naturalists such as Petra, Ashley, Wilma, and Megan may explain whale behavior, local geology, and coastal ecology while you search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and eagles.

“very knowledgeable staff shame they were not fully appreciated at the end of the trip.what more people expect i cannot imagine maybe none of them work in a service industry,wish i lived nearby i would go 2/3 times a year”

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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour - Reading the route from Tadoussac to the whales
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

2.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,716 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $98

Board a 24 or 60-passenger Zodiac from Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine for 2 to 2.5 hours on the St. Lawrence. Bilingual naturalists such as Catherine and Frederick explain whale behavior while you watch for belugas, humpbacks, fin whales, minke whales, seals, and porpoises. Waterproof outerwear is provided, but you still need warm layers.

“The wet suits provided were helpful. I liked the explanations from the guide about the whale’s behaviour. We got to see a few minke whales in the fjord.”

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Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - The first run across Vancouver’s coastal waters
Tour Reviews, Tours in Vancouver, Whale Watching

Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

3.Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,260 reviews · 5 hours · from $188

Set out from Granville Island on a fast, comfortable catamaran with naturalists such as Ashley, Victor, or Wilma. Look for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and eagles while your crew explains the Strait of Georgia. Choose a half-day or sunset departure, use the heated cabin or outdoor decks, and receive free wildlife photos afterward.

“All of the staff were really informative and friendly. There were 5 of us and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! It was amazing!The catamaran was very comfortable also”

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Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - What you might see, from humpbacks to bald eagles
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Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

4.Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,259 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $154

From Victoria’s Inner Harbour, you’ll cruise the Strait of Juan de Fuca aboard a spacious catamaran with heated indoor seating, open decks, washrooms, hot drinks, and three or four guides. Naturalists such as Megan, Reid, Jessy, and Janae explain the whales and other wildlife, while the crew sends you free high-resolution photos afterward.

“I’ve always hesitated to do a whale watching tour for fear of being one of those heartless boats that chases and harasses the animals. So I was very pleased to see that this tour operator explained why they were not getting too close and other things they did to ensure the whales’ safety and comfort. The naturalists on board were really knowledgeable about not just whales in general but about the specific pod we were watching. Although we kept our distance, one of the whales swam right up to the boat and then passed underneath a few times. It was beyond thrilling. The boat had a variety of spots to…”

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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour - Three hours between river and fjord
3-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Tadoussac, Whale Watching

Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

5.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,179 reviews · 3 hours · from $122

Spend three hours aboard an AML Cruises boat in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, watching for belugas, humpbacks, fin whales, minkes, seals, and more. French and English naturalist guides explain the wildlife and fjord. Choose standard seating, Upper Deck Access, or VIP service with food and drinks when booking.

“VIP experience was great! Awesome service, a nice quiet place with mature adults to view the whales. Only one set of stairs up. Decent for small mobility issues. We saw a Minke and a Fin whale, guides were great!”

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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise - Orcas, humpbacks, and the timing of your visit
Boat Tours in Vancouver Island, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Vancouver Island, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Vancouver Island, Wildlife & Bear Tours, Wildlife Tours in Vancouver Island

Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

6.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,729 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Set out from Dallas Road with Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours for a 3.5-hour Salish Sea search aboard an open boat or semi-covered catamaran. Naturalists such as Derek, Sarah, Liam, Joe, and Sierra share facts about whales and local wildlife. Expect possible orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles.

“We have seen Humpback whales, Orcas, Otter and a Pelicans. The crew was very friendly, competent and gave a lot of extra Information about the animals . We can recommend that tour.”

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Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver - Heading Out Into British Columbia Waters
Tour Reviews, Tours in Vancouver, Whale Watching

Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

7.Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,572 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $157

Cruise from Steveston into coastal British Columbia waters with Vancouver Whale Watch, looking for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and eagles. Guides such as James and Rhiannon add sharp wildlife commentary, while the optional downtown shuttle makes the outing easy to arrange. Expect three to five hours on the water and changing conditions.

“It’s a great opportunity to see whales in their natural habitat. The weather was beautiful which added to the adventure.”

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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure - Why the flotation suit matters on the Salish Sea
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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

8.Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 916 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $154

Set out from Victoria Harbour in a 12-passenger open Zodiac with a guide such as Gary, Mark, George, or Raj. Expect a fast, close-to-the-water ride, all-weather flotation gear, and a search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and other marine life. The whale-sighting guarantee gives you another chance if whales stay hidden.

“Amazing experience and was so happy to see Orca whales. The captain was able to locate a pod of killer whales soon after arriving to the San Juan Islands.”

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From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip - Baie-Sainte-Catherine and the launch point
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From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

9.Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 863 reviews · 11 hours · from $186

From Québec City, ride a comfortable bus through Charlevoix to Baie-Sainte-Catherine for a whale watching trip in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Choose a large boat or fast Zodiac, hear bilingual commentary, and look for belugas, fin, minke, and humpback whales. The day lasts about 11 hours, including three hours each way by bus.

“The trip was good and smooth. I liked it and the kids as well. The bus and guide were excellent and helpful. We took a Zodiac boat and had a great experience with Captain Luke. We saw several whales, seals, and landscapes.”

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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise - Iceberg Alley and the changing coast
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in St Johns, Whale Watching

Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

10.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 837 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94Best value

From Bay Bulls, about 25 minutes south of St. John’s, you’ll cruise aboard a catamaran into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Expect live commentary, Newfoundland music, seabird colonies, and seasonal chances to see puffins, icebergs, whales, dolphins, and more. Hotel pickup is available for an added fee.

“Great tour! We saw a couple of whales up close and many from afar. The staff was amazing! The puffin island was also very cool. A great trip for anyone. Definitely recommend!!”

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Vancouver's Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience - The ride through False Creek and English Bay
Tour Reviews, Tours in Vancouver, Whale Watching

Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

11.Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 698 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $177

Join Wild Whales Vancouver at Granville Island for a 3 to 5-hour search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and sea birds. Groups are limited to 12, with marine biology guides such as Julia, Yaz, and Honour sharing useful facts along the way. You may ride an open boat or zodiac, so expect cold spray, rough water, and memorable coastal views.

“Excellent naturalist provided tons of interesting information. Saw whales and sea lions. Only drawback was that it was pouring rain, but we were happy we went.”

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Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour - The ride is part of the attraction
3-Hour Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Victoria, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Victoria

Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

12.3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 651 reviews · 3 hours · from $140

Join Orca Spirit Adventures at Victoria’s Inner Harbour for a three-hour Zodiac trip guided by a certified marine naturalist. Expect fast runs, cool spray, flotation cruiser suits, hydrophones, and a strong chance of seeing Bigg’s orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and bald eagles. Guides such as Luke, Josh, Liam, and Mick are known for sharp wildlife knowledge and skilled boat handling.

“Luke our guide was amazing and showed us all we hoped for and bonus seeing 26 Orcas having a Tea Party. Hands down the best experience, highly recommend!!!”

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2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls - Birdwatching beyond the puffins
2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours in St Johns, Whale Watching

2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

13.2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

From Bay Bulls, you’ll cruise past the four islands of Witless Bay Ecological Reserve with a naturalist guide. Expect millions of nesting seabirds, puffins, auks, and petrels, plus a chance of whales or dolphins. The family-run crew adds local stories, songs, and optional screech-in fun. A shuttle from St. John’s is available for CAD 35.

“Family owned and run tour. Great commentary about the various birds and sea creatures we saw. Crew sang some local songs and a few passengers opted to get “Screeched”. Highly recommend (thousands of puffins).”

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Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel - The first part of the cruise: settling in and searching
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Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

14.Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 482 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $136

Cruise from Victoria’s 146 Kingston Street aboard a covered vessel with indoor seating, washrooms, and a small 360-degree viewing deck. Marine naturalists such as Ryan, Jake, Briar, and Liam explain whale behavior while the crew searches for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, otters, and eagles. The trip lasts about three hours and runs rain or shine.

“The whole experience was special from boarding to completion due to the enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful crew. We were fortunate to see Orcas and Humpbacks on our trip including seeing flukes twice (a lifetime ambition). Comfort and safety on board are obviously a priority for the team but the engagement and interaction added to our enjoyment.”

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Victoria Whale Watch Tour - Naturalist talks that make the wildlife easier to understand
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Victoria Whale Watch Tour

15.Victoria Whale Watch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 458 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $126

Cruise Victoria’s Salish Sea aboard SpringTide’s 60-foot Ocean Cruiser for about three hours. Naturalists such as Katie, Aly, and Leon explain the whales and habitat while the crew searches for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals, otters, and eagles. Choose a morning or afternoon trip, with a heated cabin, hot drinks, and outdoor viewing decks.

“It was such an amazing experience!! We saw Orcas and a Humpback whale! The crew was amazing and very informative the whole time! Jasper was a great Captain! This was the best part of our trip to Victoria!”

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New in Whale Watching

★ 5.0Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat TourFrom $187194 reviews
★ 4.8Campbell River: Whale & Wildlife Discovery CruiseFrom $175143 reviews
★ 5.0Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac TourFrom $129229 reviews
★ 4.8Whale Watching Tour by Zodiac BoatFrom $138233 reviews
★ 4.83-Hour Whale Watching TourFrom $123288 reviews
★ 4.7Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with GuideFrom $152270 reviews
★ 5.0Vancouver Island Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure – Telegraph CoveFrom $169281 reviews
★ 5.0Victoria Sunset Whale-Watching CruiseFrom $138281 reviews
★ 4.5Victoria Whale Watching Cruise with Expert NaturalistsFrom $134305 reviews
★ 5.0Vancouver Island Half-Day Whale Watching Tour – Telegraph CoveFrom $153333 reviews
★ 4.3Tadoussac/Charlevoix: VIP Lounge OR UpperDeck Whale WatchingFrom $160313 reviews
★ 4.8Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free PhotosFrom $149387 reviews
★ 4.5Summer Whale Watching Tour in a Zodiac Boat in VictoriaFrom $144342 reviews

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