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British Columbia Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended British Columbia Cruises & boat tours

From Victoria: Whale Watching 3-Hour Trip on Covered Boat

1. From Victoria: Whale Watching 3-Hour Trip on Covered Boat

Join certified marine naturalists on a cruise from Victoria to spot whales, including both transient and resident orcas, humpbacks, minke, and gray whales. Benefit from hotel pickup and drop-off and relax with guaranteed whale sightings and a conservation fee included in the tour price. After meeting at the pier, begin your carbon-neutral tour led by certified marine naturalists who will share their knowledge and passion for Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife with you. Whilst on the boat, enjoy complimentary coffee and tea, onboard bathrooms, and indoor and outdoor viewing areas.  You may also encounter Dall’s and harbor porpoises, harbor and elephant seals, otters, and marine birds such as cormorants and bald eagles.  Make the best of peak whale watching season in Victoria which runs from April through October. In the event of an unlucky tour, you will be invited to join again for a complimentary second whale-watching tour to bring your dreams of seeing these magnificent animals to life.

Campbell River: Whale & Wildlife Discovery Cruise

2. Campbell River: Whale & Wildlife Discovery Cruise

Spend a day on the water and discover local wildlife on this Campbell River cruise. Visit the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. With an abundance of wildlife in the area, you are likely to encounter many animals both on land and at sea. Choose from two vessel options for your cruise. A covered vessel with indoor seating offers a good option for families. Alternatively, a zodiac-style vessel offers a good option for those who like being outdoors and want to feel the wind through their hair. Hop aboard your chosen vessel, then sit back and relax. Keep an eye out for humpback whales, killer whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, bears, Steller sea lions, and more. Learn from an on-board naturalist and listen to the sounds of whales through hydrophones. While it might not be possible to guarantee you’ll see all of these animals on your tour, this tour offers a great opportunity to see everything that is possible.

Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour

3. Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour

Experience the awe and inspiration of seeing whales in their natural environment on this unique whale-watching excursion from Vancouver. Get the chance to spot orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales, as well as porpoises and seals. Depart from Granville Island in downtown Vancouver on a high-speed, custom-built, luxury catamaran that takes you on a fully-guided whale watching and marine wildlife tour. As you set out from Vancouver, choose whether you want to stay inside the heated cabin or head outside and pick from 3 different viewing areas on 2 levels that are perfect for photography. Marvel at the beauty of the Strait of Georgia on this outdoor adventure. As you sail, learn about the history of the area and the local marine wildlife from your knowledgeable crew. Immerse yourself completely in this incredible experience while we take free high-resolution photos of the wildlife, yourself, and your loved ones! It is the quintessential whale-watching experience for every adventurer. Select the half-day cruise, or opt for the sunset option to watch the sun go down over the water.

Victoria: Whale Watching Cruise by Covered Boat

4. Victoria: Whale Watching Cruise by Covered Boat

Experience the majesty of the Salish Sea and its wildlife, from whales surfacing in unison to bald eagles soaring overhead. Cut through the Strait of Juan de Fuca’s currents in search of orcas and humpback whales, and listen to our marine mammal experts bring the animals’ stories to life. Climb aboard the new Salish Sea catamaran-style boat, custom-designed for whale watching. Push through the waves with ease as you search for whales and other marine species. Stop at different points of interest within the protected waters of the Haro Strait and Strait of Juan de Fuca, where your captain will position the boat parallel to the animals for great photo opportunities. Learn more about the wildlife from up to 3 top marine naturalists. Enjoy the heated indoor cabin and 2 open air sundecks that are ideal for photography, or immerse yourself in this experience while we take free high-resolution photos of the wildlife, the landscape. and your loved ones.

Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

5. Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

Experience the awe and inspiration of seeing whales in their natural environment on this unique whale-watching excursion from Victoria. Cruise along in an open zodiac boat on the Salish Sea, and get the chance to spot orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales, as well as porpoises and seals. After being collected from your downtown accommodation in a comfortable shuttle bus, you will venture down to the harbor where you will meet with your boat. After meeting your guides for the day, you will then depart from Victoria, setting off on your 3-hour whale-watching tour. Between April and October, you will have a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including both transient and resident orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales. Other wildlife you may encounter include Dall’s and harbor porpoises, harbor and elephant seals, and otters and marine birds such as cormorants and bald eagles. The zodiac vessels used on your tour are definitely recommended for the wild-at-heart. You can let the wind blow in your hair and be exposed to the true west-coast elements in an open-style, 12-passenger vessel. At the conclusion of your exhilarating tour, you will be returned back to the harbor, at which point you will be driven back to your accommodation in downtown Victoria.

Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife Tour

6. Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife Tour

The waters off Victoria, British Columbia are known as the Salish Sea. Discover its wonders and rich marine environment with this ultimate whale and marine wildlife tour. Board a brand new high-speed coastal explorer boat and set sail to look for orcas (also known as killer whales), humpbacks, harbor seals, California sea lions, and over 127 species of marine birds!  Take a tour of the west coast aboard a luxurious coastal explorer, with two outside viewing areas and a fully heated cabin. Enjoy complimentary coffee and hot chocolate as you set off on an adventure to learn all about the local marine wildlife and important landmarks. From playful orcas to giant humpbacks, your experience is sure to be memorable. Discover the marine wildlife in the waters off Victoria with the help of marine biologists and learn about efforts to establish Victoria as a world-renowned whale watching destination. 

Telegraph Cove: Half-Day Whale Watching Tour

7. Telegraph Cove: Half-Day Whale Watching Tour

After gathering at the Telegraph Cove Resort, you will embark on your 3-hour, fully-guided whale watching and wildlife viewing adventure. In true comfort and style, your crew will be excited to take you to Johnstone Strait, in search of the majestic wildlife that floods the local waters here in the summer months. You can take advantage of the opportunity to view killer whales and humpback whales in the wild, as well as an assortment of seabirds and other species of marine wildlife. Immerse yourself completely in this incredible experience while we take free high-resolution photos of the wildlife, the landscape and your loved ones! The Ocean Magic II is a custom designed marine marvel, which combines the practicality of a semi-covered vessel with the speed and maneuverability of a Zodiac. With three naturalists on board and two different viewing elevations, this is the only purpose-built whale watching vessel of its size in the industry. Sip your coffee, feel the wind in your hair or keep cozy under cover while you explore the pacific northwest.

Whale Watching Tour in Victoria, BC

8. Whale Watching Tour in Victoria, BC

Have the chance to witness the area's diversity of whale species including humpback whales, Bigg's orcas, minke whales, and gray whales. The spotting network and years of experience in locating the whales ensure a high success rate for tours. The area of operations in the water surrounding Southern Vancouver Island, Victoria, the Gulf Islands, and Juan de Fuca Strait is a critical area for multiple species of whales, including other marine animals like seals, sea lions, sea otters, and marine birds. You may even spot more rare species such as elephant seals and dolphins. Listen as your crew introduces you to these magnificent animals and share with you the myriad of other natural wonders abundant in this pristine marine environment. The Salish Sea, the water off Victoria, is home to an abundance of marine wildlife. During the tour, explore various feeding areas that attract whales to local waters. Have the opportunity to see orcas and humpback whales in their natural habitat.  Other possible encounters include minke and gray whales. The Salish Sea is also home to seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and many more sea animals. Let five-star whale watching introduce you to the wonders of the Salish Sea.

Vancouver Island: Grizzly Bears of Bute Inlet in Orford Bay

9. Vancouver Island: Grizzly Bears of Bute Inlet in Orford Bay

χawgəs, the Grizzly Bear, knows that around mid-August the annual salmon run begins in Orford Bay on the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest. Bears journey long distances to Algard Creek and the Orford River to feast on the spawning salmon and their eggs. It’s part of a quest to fatten up before a long winter hibernation. In doing so, they continue a cycle that has taken place for millennia on the traditional territory of the Homalco First Nation people. Be our guest as we enter their world. Your full-day adventure begins in Campbell River and through the Salish Sea, learning about the lands of the First Peoples as you enter one of British Columbia’s greatest fjords - Bute Inlet. As an abundantly rich area for wildlife, there are opportunities to view marine animals while discovering the breathtaking scenery of Homalco territory. Your arrival in Orford Bay begins a 3-hour land experience. Indigenous guides transport you by bus to a variety of raised wildlife viewing platforms and prime ground viewing locations to look for the magnificent χawgəs (grizzly bear). Along the way, guides share knowledge about the bears, salmon, Homalco people and their ties to the land. Lunch is served at the dock in Orford Bay with an unobstructed view of the estuary and its spectacular mountain surroundings. The Bear Viewing Season: The Orford River and Algard Creek water channels provide salmon spawning grounds with different viewing locations that we use depending on where the bears are active. The following information offers what to expect in a "typical" year (note that climate change is having a significant impact on weather and bear behaviour, and this is our best interpretation in constantly changing conditions). - August has the hottest, most pleasant days and grizzlies are moving from up high into the area. Until early September bears are mostly foraging for grasses, berries and shellfish as they wait for the salmon to begin moving from the mouth of Orford Bay and up the rivers to spawn - From September and onward bears are hunting for salmon in the rivers - September typically has the highest number of bears, and is also the busiest time for visitor volume. The weather begins to change into our annual period of rain typical for BC's Coastal Temperate Rainforest - October offers intimate, quiet and yet spectacular fall bear viewing in spite of shorter days and more variable weather. Our experienced Indigenous guides know the area very well and will help identify wildlife through various bear viewing towers from which you can view the bears comfortably. Please keep in mind that these are wild animals and we cannot guarantee the number of bears to be seen. By travelling with us a portion of your trip price goes to supporting bear conservation, salmon restoration, Homalco language and cultural rejuvenation, plus employment and career options for the Homalco people. I:mote (it is good/thank you).

Victoria: Whale and Wildlife Semi-Covered Boating Tour

10. Victoria: Whale and Wildlife Semi-Covered Boating Tour

After gathering at the pier you will meet with your guides before boarding your boat. The vessel for this tour will be a semi-covered catamaran with both indoor and outdoor seating. This vessel offers both an indoor viewing area as well as multiple outdoor viewing decks, and includes on-board restrooms. Once hitting the water, you'll begin your over 4-hour experience which includes a 98% sighting success rate. Your team members will be excited to share everything that this natural treasure chest has to offer, as you make multiple wildlife stops throughout your journey. At each stop your guides will provide world-class interpretation and personalized service to help you best understand this unique ecosystem. Throughout the experience you will have the chance to encounter whales, seals, and eagles, among other residents of the region. At the conclusion of your tour, you'll make your way back to the tour starting point.

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What people are saying about British Columbia

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 437 reviews

Loved the scenery and the guide who’s very knowledgeable about the area. Come early though because there’s not an ample parking space, however, you have an option to take the bus.

We had an amazing time on whale watching tour, seen many hump backs, a pod of orcas and a ton of sea lions. A great time!

Experienced guides, after the trip they send you there pictures for free!

Excellent trip. Saw lots of wildlife including two different whales.

Great experience! Knowledgeable staff. Very enjoyable.