Top Victoria Dolphin & Whale Watching

Torn between a day of city sightseeing and nature excursions? Do it all on this full-day tour of Victoria! From Vancouver, cruise the Strait of Georgia for some epic whale-watching, take a self-guided tour of Victoria and soak up the perfumed beauty of Butchart Gardens! At the end of your full day, relax and take in stunning coastal mountain views as you cruise back to Vancouver at dusk.

Get up close with the killer whales on the Salish Sea with this guided, 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Victoria. Climb aboard a covered or open boat equipped with hydrophones to hear the whales and bring the underwater experience to light. Every voyage is led by a certified marine naturalist with a passion for the area’s marine wildlife. In addition to humpback, killer, minke and gray whales, see other wildlife like porpoises, sea lions, seals, otters and marine birds. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

While in Victoria, sip some of the region’s best wines and go on a sunset cruise to watch for orca and humpback whales on this full-day combo tour. On a 4-hour wine tour, discover Saanich Peninsula, one of Canada’s must-visit locations for all wine and cider lovers. Enjoy tastings at three wineries. On a 3-hour cruise, watch the sun melt over the horizon and look for whales in the wild. Hotel transport included.

Marvel at Canada’s marine wildlife in its natural habitat on this 3-hour sunset whale-watching experience from Victoria. Cruise into the harbor from Fisherman’s Wharf with your guide as the sun starts sinking on the horizon. With your wildlife identification kit to hand, watch the waves for sightings of majestic whales. There are fewer boats in the harbor at this time of day, so you can see the whales breach and splash through the water in peace. With the on-board hydrophone, you can even hear them communicating in the depths below!

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on a 3-hour whale watching cruise off Victoria’s coast. Travel out into the open ocean aboard a comfortable, motorized boat to look for native species like humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, elephant seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. Learn about local marine ecology from a naturalist guide, and take in fantastic views of Vancouver Island in between animal sightings.

Explore the wilderness that makes Victoria famous on this 8-hour whale watching and nature tour. Cruise through the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait en route to the Pacific Ocean on a 3-hour whale-watching tour, with opportunities to see additional wildlife such as seals, sea lions, and marine birds. Then, hop aboard a shuttle and head to the floral displays at the Butchart Gardens and the tropical Butterfly Gardens.

Cruise from Victoria to Vancouver and admire the native wildlife for which Canada is famous on this 5.5-hour one-way whale-watching cruise. Take a seat aboard your cruise boat in downtown Victoria and head out onto the waves. During your 3-hour whale-watching cruise, watch the waters for elegant whales, seals, porpoises and sea lions as your guide explains their feeding habits and life cycles. Stop to stretch your legs at the secluded Tod Inlet, then head onward to Vancouver’s Coal Harbour as the sun sets on the horizon.

Increase your chances of spotting whales in their natural habitat on this 3-hour sunset tour from Vancouver Island, which departs at 6:15 p.m. when fewer ships are out on the water. Learn about whales and other marine wildlife from a knowledgeable captain as you take in views of the sunset. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people or fewer.