Top British Columbia Wildlife Encounters

Cruise the Salish Sea in comfort while you search for whales, seals, bald eagles, and otters on this half-day guided boat cruise. This whale-watching experience is led by a certified naturalist, who shares their knowledge on the area’s wildlife and natural history. If no whales are sighted, you can return for free.

Get a closer look at Canada’s marine wildlife on this whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Hop aboard your boat—a luxurious, spacious catamaran—and set sail. Watch the waves from the open sun decks or stay protected from the spray in the heated indoor cabin. Stop off at points of interest through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Listen to commentary from marine naturalists on board, and look out for orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, and more.

Share the waters with whales, orcas, and more on a wildlife watching tour. In addition to animal sightings, the aquatic adventure also offers great views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, plus the Howe Sound. Stay warm inside the cabin, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Your ticket comes with a whale sighting guarantee, with a free tour should you not spot any whales.

Take in Vancouver’s local wildlife in a respectful way on this whale watching tour from Granville Island. Your guides are marine naturalists who are passionate about animal conservation, so they emphasize observing animals in their natural environment without human interference. The open-air vessel lets you see any wildlife up close.

The waters around Vancouver Island teem with marine life—and on this small-group whale-watching tour, you'll have the best chance of discovering these giants of the deep. Head out into the Salish Sea with your guide, an experienced naturalist who will take the time to help you learn about the region's wildlife. On this tour, you can look out for orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and more.

Spot native marine wildlife in British Columbia’s waters—and enjoy a more personalized travel experience—on a small-group whale-watching tour from Victoria. Grab an all-weather flotation suit, hop aboard your open-top Zodiac boat in Victoria Harbour, and set off. Your vessel is built for stability, and remains buoyant even in rough seas. As you go, watch for humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas, and soak up the dramatic scenery.

Take in the sunset at sea on this evening whale watching tour. Cruise the Salish Sea while learning about the marine wildlife of the region from your certified naturalist guide. This tour takes you in search of whales and other wildlife while the sun sets over the waves—with whales guaranteed, otherwise you come back for free!

Swap the crowds of big whale-watching tours for a more intimate experience. This small-group whale-watching adventure from Telegraph Cove takes you out onto the waters of Johnstone Strait in a Zodiac-style vessel where you'll have the chance to see whales, seals, sea lions, maybe some otters, dolphins, and eagles too. The tour is not suitable for participants with recent surgeries, back or neck problems, pregnant women, or those with serious medical conditions.

This half-day whale-watching adventure from downtown Vancouver gives you the chance to see whales and other marine life, all with minimal logistical hassle. Hop aboard your luxurious catamaran, complete with heated indoor space and outdoor decks, and set sail. You'll learn all about the local history and geology from your naturalist guides, and can soak up views of the Pacific Northwest scenery while looking out for whales, seals, eagles, and other wildlife.

Kayak in Howe Sound and snorkel with Vancouver's resident harbor seals during this half-day eco-adventure. Board a boat from Horseshoe Bay with your adventure guide, headed toward the Pam Rocks seal colony. Slip into the provided snorkel gear and wetsuit, then dive in for an up-close experience with seals, following their lead. Kayak around the bay and the rocks, experiencing the marine environment while in a low-profile boat. A sightseeing-only option is available for those passengers who wish to stay dry on the boat. All kayaking and snorkeling equipment, refreshments and light snacks are included.

Discover the sights and sounds around Vancouver, British Columbia, on this scenic boat tour. Led by a guide, travel along the coastline of English Bay, west of the downtown peninsula, to popular Lighthouse Park, the Seal Colony and centrally located False Creek, which separates downtown Vancouver from the rest of the city. Along the way, see a plethora of attractions, like Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, the Lions Gate Bridge, plus offshore freighters.

Head one hour south of Kelowna where a wondrous natural area in Canada's British Columbia awaits. The Okanagan Valley discovery tour will take you to Vaseux Lake, home to one of the highest species diversities in the country. Uncover the beauty of several rare habitats, including the White Lake Grasslands Protected Area, as you access sites by boardwalk, viewing tower, or trail. With an easy, non-physically demanding hike, you'll have the time of your life without breaking a sweat.

Soak up the beauty of British Columbia's Salish Sea and spot some of the many wildlife species that make their way here on this sunset whale-watching cruise from Vancouver. Learn about the native marine life as your comfortable catamaran cruises the water in search of whales and enjoy the spectacle of the sun setting over the Salish Sea.

Mountain bike tours through the mountaintops are a great way to explore Whistler’s dramatic scenery, but aren’t accessible if you’re not a strong rider. On this small-group guided tour, hop on a mountain e-bike instead, offering assistance as you ride the mountain trails, heading to various overlooks so you can gaze at the craggy, forest-filled landscape. The tour now lasts about 2.5 hours, giving you more time to enjoy the alpine views.

Encounter the marine life of Vancouver Island on a half-day whale watching tour. Unlike many other tours, this one includes beach landings thanks to special watercraft, and two dedicated seats per passenger, so you can choose whether to sit inside a warm cabin or outside in the open air. While helping you spot whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other animals, indigenous guides also share insight into First Nations culture.

Head off the coast of Steveston Village for the chance to see British Columbia’s whales and a vast variety of other maritime wildlife on this half-day tour. Hop aboard a whalewatching vessel and journey through the Canadian Gulf Islands as you cross the Straight of Georgia, all the while carefully watching for signs of killer whales, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and much more.

Become more familiar with whales and other marine life on this whale-watching tour from Granville Island in Vancouver. Explore the Salish Sea and Strait of Georgia with a guide who shares interesting facts about sea life as you search for orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and sea birds. As it’s a small-group tour, you have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

If you've always wanted to try sailing, get your sea legs on a small-group sailing adventure on Vancouver Island. Learn sailing essentials from an experienced skipper, and then put your new skills into practice while navigating the Strait of Juan de Fuca. With wind in your sails, look for wild marine life including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and dolphins.

Vancouver’s mountains, forests, and beaches often star in vacation photos, and this full-day tour takes the guesswork out of getting great shots of the city’s most beautiful settings. Starting with the waterfalls and old-growth forests on the North Shore, your professional photographer guide will provide photography instruction while introducing you to some of the city’s top spots including Granville Island, Stanley Park, English Bay, and Gastown.

Experience Vancouver sights by water on this Zodiac inflatable boat tour from Granville Island. Cross False Creek and admire Siwash Rock, a stone spire near Lion’s Gate Bridge. In Vancouver Harbour, learn about waterfront landmarks. Venture into Deep Cove and the glacial fjord of Indian Arm for views of granite cliffs only accessible by boat. See the beauty of the Granite Falls and Silver Falls up close before heading back.

Turn dinner into an adventure with this Zodiac tour from Vancouver to Bowen Island at the mouth of Howe Sound. In addition to dinner and a drink at a restaurant on Bowen, your experience includes a high-speed boat ride, ocean-ready gear, and sightseeing along the Vancouver waterfront.

Enjoy winter wildlife watching in comfort and style aboard our covered vessels! Each vessel features a heated cabin with comfortable seating, full washroom facilities, and elevated outdoor 360-degree panoramic viewing decks—perfect for capturing stunning photos. Sip complimentary hot beverages and listen as your dedicated naturalists share insights about the wildlife you encounter. This luxurious, easy-going tour is ideal for all ages, especially those seeking a serene experience. WHAT YOU CAN SEE ON YOUR WILDLIFE TOURS: Humpback whales, Biggs killer whales, Stellar Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, Harbour Seals, Harbour Porpoises, and more!

Combine big thrills with epic views on this half-day white-water rafting adventure along the Elaho and Squamish Rivers. Even though this tour is beginner-friendly, you’ll still tackle challenging Class III-IV rapids, including the notorious “Devil’s Elbow”, as seen on TV. In between the rapids, soak up the scenery as you float downstream past ancient volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls, and look out for wildlife such as bears, beavers, and deer.

Immerse yourself in the splendor of British Columbia's wild scenery, and make visiting one of Vancouver's top sights stress-free, when you prebook admission tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Choose from a range of start times, and have the freedom to explore independently: Hike through the temperate rainforest, admire views from the Capilano Suspension Bridge, take in the thrilling Cliffwalk, and more.