Top Vancouver Island Water Tours

Discover some of British Columbia’s most scenic and unspoiled stretches of land and water—and admire its wealth of wildlife—on this small-group, half-day boat tour. Choose from morning or afternoon tour times, and make your own way to Campbell River, where you’ll hop aboard. You can look out for orcas, humpback whales, grizzly bears, dolphins, sea lions, and more, and will learn all about the region’s history and habitats from your guide’s commentary.

Immerse yourself in some of British Columbia’s s most spectacular seascapes—and enjoy an active way to explore—on this small-group, half-day Ucluelet Harbour kayaking tour. Pick from several convenient start times, meet your guide on the waterfront, and get acquainted with your gear. Then, set off on the water. You’ll learn about the region’s history and biodiversity, look out for wildlife like bears and eagles, and otherwise soak up the scenery.

Discover why British Columbia is one of the best places in the world to see whales and other marine wildlife on this 3-hour tour with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and a mind-boggling assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? There’s always a chance to see humpback, killer, minke or grey whales!

Set out on the Pacific Ocean off of Victoria, British Columbia, in search of whales on this immersive, small-group tour. Travel through the Haro Strait and the Juan de Fuca Strait in search of minke whales, humpback whales, orcas, and other wildlife. Aboard your open-top Zodiac boat, you're more likely to have up-close wildlife encounters than you would on larger tours.

Make the most of your time in Victoria and combine sightseeing and food and drink tasting on this small-group guided tour. Discover highlights such as Chinatown, Bastion Square, and Market Square, enjoy a ferry ride around the harbor, and sample local bites, cocktail, and craft beers, while learning more about the city’s history and culture from your guide.

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on this half-day 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 between animal sightings.

This small-group experience gives you the whole day to tour the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait in a speedy Zodiac boat. Stay cozy in provided floater suits, toques, gloves, and goggles as you spend the day searching for some of the abundant wildlife of the coastal waters, including humpback whales, bears, sea lions, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Your tour will focus on finding orcas, but highlight the diverse beauty of the coast.

While most cities have food tours and themed pub crawls, few allow you to travel between venues in style on a harbor ferry. Admire Victoria’s scenic skyline on this small-group culinary adventure across the city’s waterways. Explore the Inner Harbour's Empress Hotel and Parliament Building before hopping on a ferry to enjoy live music at Bastion Square. Plus, take away foodie tips for the rest of your trip.

Cruise through the isles and inlets of the Discovery Islands in search of the region’s most iconic marine species. This full-day tour is ideal for those who want to maximize their opportunity to be out on the water and view as much wildlife as possible. As we explore the remote waterways and stunning shorelines, we will search for humpback whales, orca (killer whales), porpoises, sea lions, seals, eagles, and a wide variety of marine birds. Every moment on the water brings the potential for something new and unforgettable.

Add an extra thrill to your Victoria whale-watching adventure with this wildlife cruise aboard a fast-moving, inflatable Zodiac boat. Get closer to the water — and the whales — on a wet and wild ride through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hang on to your hat and keep a sharp eye out for native marine life such as humpback and gray whales, orcas, sea lions and harbor seals. An expert naturalist guide will help point out passing species and share insight into the amazing aquatic world of the northern Pacific.

Join us for an awe-inspiring, private whale watching tour through the pristine waters of the Discovery Islands. Your expert guide will take you to known whale hotspots, offering a breathtaking journey perfect for nature lovers and photographers. We specialize in intimate, small-group tours that ensure a comfortable and personal connection with nature. NOTE: If your heart is set on seeing orcas specifically, book at least a 5-hour tour as they are usually found further north. The waters around Campbell River and Quadra Island are a haven for marine wildlife. On this tour you’ll have the chance to see humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, as well as seals and bald eagles. The comfortable boat offers excellent viewing, and your guide will provide expert insights and commentary. Capacity: Max 6 guests Departure: Tours available all year, as whale sightings are possible any month. The peak season is April to November. Includes: Binoculars, life jackets, and bottled water.

Join us on this incredible tour for a chance to witness a diverse range of wildlife, including orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, minke whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and even bears along the shoreline. Our knowledgeable team is enthusiastic about sharing their expertise, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience. Don't pass up this unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth start to your adventure. Eagle Eye Adventures is thrilled to welcome you aboard!

Butchart Gardens is one of Victoria's most popular attractions—but if you don't have your own transit, getting there from the city center can be tricky. Instead, make logistics simple with this round-trip shuttle service. With multiple daily departure times and transit from a central meeting point, you can leave the logistics to someone else—and save more time for a self-led, sweet-smelling stroll through the 55-acre (22.2-hectare) garden (admission own expense).

Experience nature’s majesty with this small-group half-day whale-watching boat tour off the coast of Vancouver Island. After meeting the team at Campbell River, head out onto the waters to witness a diverse range of wildlife, with a particular focus on whale spotting. Glimpse orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, pacific white-sided dolphins, seals sea lions, and even the occasional bear along the shoreline, all in their natural habitat.

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of nature on your trip to Vancouver Island, it can be tough to know where to start. On this full-day small-group guided tour, join your guide for a curated tour of Toba Inlet and take in the region’s crashing waterfalls, craggy cliffs, and dense forests. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the grizzly bears that call the area home.

As the sun dips down behind the mountains to the west and dusk begins to settle in, we will be gearing up and preparing push off from the shores of Gordon Bay. We will give our guests a brief presentation about the history of the area as well as what wildlife to watch out for on our tour. With a carefully curated playlist of music to accompany our journey and bright LED lights illuminating the waters below, we will paddle out to the Gordon Bay Islands and explore their coastline. The Gordon Bay Islands are about 400m away from our launch point After we conquer the Gordon Bay Islands we will paddle along the south shoreline to the west. This is your opportunity to see a rugged, un-touched part of Cowichan Lake only accessible from the water. Massive moss-covered cliffs emerge from the water offering as we continue to navigate down the south shore of the lake. This is also the turn around point and travellers will then make their way back to the starting point of the tour.

We provide a memorable 3 hour sailing adventure, on our safe, comfortable Hunter 35.5 yacht, which may include possible sightings of orca whales, eagles, seals, and porpoises. Guests are welcome to help as much or as little as they want sailing the boat, or just relaxing! Optional stop at Sidney Spit Marine Park by prior arrangement.

Experience the most comprehensive Indigenous and wilderness tours we offer. You’ll journey through the majestic Salish Sea to a historic Homalco First Nation village site, then view grizzly bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. Learn about our peoples’ rich history and how we’ve lived alongside these majestic creatures for millennia. This deluxe wilderness and Indigenous cultural tour will lead you through Aupe, an uninhabited Homalco village site, giving you unique insights into the ways of our peoples. From there, you’ll journey through the Bute Inlet, one of British Columbia’s most epic whale-watching stretches, to Orford Bay for a picnic lunch surrounded by a spectacular mountain vista. Our experienced guides will lead you on a land-based search for grizzly bears, elk and eagles along salmon-bearing rivers.

Witness the Vancouver Island coastline’s dramatic seasonal change from Winter to Spring on this full-day small-group tour. Hop aboard a boat and cruise the shoreline, taking in views of waterfalls, dense woodland, and distant mountains, all the while keeping an eye out for local wildlife, including the first humpback whales of the season and bears foraging along the shore.

Each trip can be customized according to different needs, including length, food, and location. Our priority has been our guests and the comfort of our guests. We want folks to take away that kayaking the West Coast is more than just check marking another destination off your bucket list. It’s forming a deep connection to culture, history, and nature, and is a remarkable way to detach from our fast-paced lives, and reconnect with the quietness of nature

Embark on private, professionally guided fishing charters with your family or friends. We make the experience easy and fun for everyone, whether you are a first-time fisher or a seasoned pro. Your guide will help you target a variety of seasonal fish and is happy to teach everything from casting to reeling, Our local expert will take you to the best fishing spots in British Columbia’s rich waters. We know the best fishing grounds, which are just a short boat ride away. This means you’ll spend more time fishing and less time traveling. Your safety is our top priority. All essential safety gear, including life vests and a first-aid kit, is provided. You can relax and enjoy the trip, knowing you are in safe hands. Capacity: Max 6 guests Departure: Daily fishing charters, from Quadra Island & Campbell River Includes: Rods, tackle, fish finder, GPS, life jackets, & bottled water.

Explore Victoria's history and culinary scene on this two-in-one, small-group walking tour of the British Columbian capital. Follow a guide to highlights such as the Parliament Buildings, the Inner Harbor, Fan Tan Alley, the Harmonious Gates of Interest, and the Victoria Public Market. Along the way, stop for food tastings of local products.

Spend the day cruising the Salish Sea in search of bears, whales, and dolphins on this six hour, small-group tour. Learn about the region’s nature and wildlife from your certified naturalist guide and captain as you relax with complimentary snacks and drinks. This tour highlights the diversity of the coastal waters and marine life, and provides great photo opportunities before you take a break with an onshore lunch accompanied by homemade baked goods.