Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Victoria, Canada
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Learn all about the region's wildlife from naturalist guides
- A free photo package is included in the tour cost
- Increase your chances of viewing whales and other wildlife
- Immerse yourself in the unrivaled beauty of the Salish Sea
What's Included
- Free Photo Package Featuring Wildlife!
- Two washrooms
- Whale Sightings Guarantee—complimentary tours from all locations until you see whales (fees apply).
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- 5 per person Salish Sea Conservation Fee (1% For The Planet Initiative) is included in price
- Downloadable tour guides in: English, Spanish, French, German and Dutch
- Kids coloring books and educational guides
- Captain and expert crew of 3-4 guides/naturalists
- Coffee and/or TeaComplimentary tea, coffee & hot chocolate
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Excludes taxes and fees for Lifetime Whale Sighting Guarantee
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada
Please check-in 30 minutes prior to departure time at Prince of Whales Whale Watching located below the Visitor Information Centre in the Inner Harbour (812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Prince Of Whales - Whale Watching Adventures
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, an alternative or full refund will be offered
- Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Service animals allowed with proper documentation and life jacket, subject to captain's discretion
- Check-in 30 minutes prior to the departure time
- Prince of Whales reserves the right to ask that the credit card used in the booking be presented at check-in, and/or photo ID be presented.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 95 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Whitney_G
The did everything they could to give us the best experience today! Reed was the naturalist that we spent the most time with and she was sooo knowledgeable and lovely. The rest of the crew was great as well. We got to see 6 orcas and a ton of sea lions. Totally worth it. Dress warm!!
Reviews
4.9
based on 2,671 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Myron_S, Aug 2026
This was a great experience. The crew and naturalists were fabulous;out. We saw multiple Orcha’s and Humpback wales along with sea lions and otters. it was well woth the investment in both time and Cost. WE strongly recommended
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are so thrilled to hear of the fantastic time you had on board with our expert crew, taking in all of the knowledge they had to share as you explored the Salish Sea. It is so amazing you were able to see both orcas and humpback whales with a special sighting of the adorable sea otters! We appreciate your recommendation and we hope we will get to welcome you back aboard again for more enchanting excursions!
Susan_D, Aug 2026
The captain and crew were fantastic. Captain Lindsay, First Mate Alex, Naturalists Rhiannon and Janae and Michael were all great. We were on the 8/27 cruise at 2:30 and we saw Orcas, humpback whales and sea lions. It was great!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and got to see orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Captain Lindsay, First Mate Alex, Rhiannon, Janae, and Michael, they’ll be delighted to know they helped make your adventure so memorable. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Anita_W, Aug 2026
Excellent experience under the guidance of very professional and knowledgeable staff. Well-appointed catamaran with plenty of comfortable indoor/outdoor seating. Complimentary photo package (we received 61 high resolution images and a few short videos) taken with serious camera equipment was a real bonus; simply sit back and enjoy the sights knowing the highlights are being recorded. Highly recommend this company.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and recommendation! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the catamaran, the comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, and especially the expertise of our crew. We’re also glad the complimentary photos and videos were a highlight of your trip. It’s wonderful to know you could relax and enjoy the wildlife while we captured the memorable moments for you. We hope to welcome you aboard again in the future!
Galit_R, Aug 2026
Fantastic experience- would recommend. We had a double decker boat. Great indoor seating area with floor to celling window that stayed miraculously clean despite being on the ocean. Great outdoor viewing areas on both levels in the front and the back of the boat. Wildlife guides in each of these areas to help talk about the wildlife we saw and answer questions. Also included hot drinks (coffee, hot chocolate) which was clutch for standing out on the decks when it got windy. We saw multiple whales and some fighting seals. Was honestly a great time. Would recommend bringing something that breaks the wind (like a rain jacket) in addition to your normal layers- makes standing outside an option!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for the detailed review and recommendation! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the boat, the viewing areas, and having our wildlife guides available throughout the vessel to share their knowledge and answer questions. We’re glad the hot drinks helped keep you warm while enjoying the views! It sounds like you had an incredible day on the water with multiple whales and some feisty seals. And thank you for the helpful tip about bringing a windbreaker or rain jacket, we couldn’t agree more! We hope to have you aboard again for another great adventure.
Jennie_D, Aug 2026
Amazing trip! The staff (Sam, Riannon, Lauren) were fantastic, knowledgeable, and helpful. We saw three types of whales as well as seals, sea lions, and otters. Would 10000% recommend the trip!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
It is so great to hear that you would recommend our trip to others, thank you!! What an amazing array of wildlife that you saw, so lucky! We will let the whole crew know how much of an amazing trip you had!
Catherine_D, Aug 2026
Great experience from start to finish- the crew was friendly, attentive and well organized, gave a lots of information and most important was excited to see the whales and marine life not less then us!
Captain Richard skillfully navigated the ship to the most strategic locations, along with first mate Taylor. Naturalists Andrei, Amber and Sam made sure we didn’t miss a tiny bit of the sight. We saw orca whales, then humpback who showed us the tail several times, then the sea lions and seals. But the most incredible experience was to spot two humpback whales flipping the tails while hunting or socializing. This sight was first even for our naturalists!
Highly highly recommended from all the aspects!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for such a detailed review, it sounds like you really had the greatest experience! How special that you were able to witness behavior that our naturalists had not even seen before! Our team are all so passionate about the work they do, and it is so lovely to hear that this shines through on their tours. We will be sure to pass your feedback over to Richard, Taylor, Andrei, Amber and Sam!
Kirstie_W, Aug 2026
Absolutely amazing!! Was hoping to see whales as never seen any whale before but wasn’t expecting it especially as the day we went it was very foggy. However Reid and her team did an amazing job spotting offshore orcas and explaining how they hunt, live and the differences in the different sub groups of orca. It was just so amazing and very emotional for me. The captain then took us to see more wildlife and we saw sea lions, seals and even the tail of a beautiful humpback. Was so amazing- would 100% recommend. Even if we didn’t get to see any whales would still have been a lovely boat trip. It was so amazing I booked another tour with prince of whales when I was in Vancouver after Victoria and we had Wilma and her crew take us out and managed to find a huge group of humpback whales! Again Wilma was so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife it just made the best day. Two best days ever!
If I lived closer I would do this trip weekly as every trip will be different and you will never get bored of it!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
What amazing feedback, Kirstie! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us, it sounds amazing! Our team are all super passionate about the wildlife they see everyday and we are so glad to hear that this shines through on the tours. We would be more than thrilled to welcome you back for a third trip sometime in the future!
Tammy_J, Aug 2026
Amazing whale watching day and the staff was amazing incredible! We saw Orcas breaching as well as humpback whales.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for the amazing review, Tammy! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an incredible day on the water and got to witness both breaching orcas and humpback whales! We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to our amazing crew. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable wildlife adventure!
Tiffany_Q, Aug 2026
We had a wonderful excursion on 8/13 (2:30). Sam, Reid and Amber were amazing. Super friendly, knowledgeable and always checking on everyone throughout the ride.
Richard and Taylor found us a great sighting of killer whales that seemed to be putting a show on for us!
The boat amenities were great and it was nice to have the option of being inside or outside, especially when it got extra chilly out! The complimentary hot drinks were a nice touch. Another bonus is that they took and provided free photos of our wildlife sightings therefore letting us really enjoy the moment without having to worry about capturing it ourselves. Thank you again to the entire crew for a very memorable experience!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear your August 13th excursion was such a memorable experience and that Sam, Reid, and Amber made you feel so welcome throughout the trip with their friendliness, knowledge, and attentiveness. It’s wonderful to hear that Richard and Taylor found you such an exciting killer whale sighting, and we’re glad you enjoyed the boat amenities, indoor and outdoor viewing options, and complimentary hot drinks. We’re especially happy that the complimentary wildlife photos allowed you to stay present and enjoy the incredible sightings without worrying about capturing them yourself. Thank you for joining us and for taking the time to recognize the entire crew!
Angie_F, Aug 2026
The whales were out! The boat was great about getting to the spot where the whales were congregating. We were lucky to be in between 2 different pods 7 whales total. The captain then took us to a picturesque lighthouse where the base was covered with gigantic seals. It would have been nice to stick around the surfacing orcas and humpback whales. But it was a nice change.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, Angie! We’re thrilled to hear you were able to enjoy an incredible day on the water, including the excitement of being between two different pods with seven whales in total, as well as seeing the impressive seals gathered around the lighthouse. Our captains always do their best to find the wildlife and create a memorable experience while also balancing the many factors involved in responsible wildlife viewing. We’re glad you enjoyed the change of scenery and hope to welcome you aboard again for another great adventure!
MaryEllen_S, Aug 2026
Enjoy every moment and let the guides take the pictures! The pictures they took on our trip were great.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed every moment of your tour and were happy with the photos also. We hope you can come back soon for another adventure!
Sharon_w, Aug 2026
Great experience! Our crew Capt. Francois, 1st Mate- Taylor, Rhiaran, Sam and Michael were great on letting us know about looking at the whales and sea lions, as well as giving us the history about them. Coffee and hot chocolate was a great bonus as well as having snacks that you could buy. Very impressed with the entire trip. Would definitely recommend it and do it again.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review, Sharon! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and that Captain François, Taylor, Rhiaran, Sam, and Michael helped make the trip so enjoyable. It’s wonderful to hear you appreciated their knowledge and the stories they shared about the whales, sea lions, and the area. We’re also glad you enjoyed the complimentary coffee and hot chocolate! Thank you for the recommendation, and we’d love to welcome you aboard again for another adventure.
Tom_H, Aug 2026
Whale watching tour from downtown harbour. Staff were very friendly throughout and we can't fault their customer service. Unfortunately though we returned over 30 mins before our tour was due to end (advertised time was 3 hours 30 mins - we both left a little late and arrived over 30 mins early). In addition we saw briefly some seals, were told there were otters but they didn't appear, and saw the tail of one humpback whale and proceeded to spend 45 minutes with it. The crew then said we would move on to try find something different, we found another humpback whale and again spent nearly 30 minutes with it watching the same thing repeatedly which was not exciting. After this they announced we were returning to the harbour. I understand there are no guarantees with wildlife and that we did indeed see whales but the views were poor and we should've moved on much earlier to see something else like different kinds of whales, orcas or the otters that didn't appear earlier. All in all very disappointing for the price we had paid and they could have spent more time looking for something else, and altogether simply spent more time, i.e. the advertised tour length.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback, Tom.
We appreciate your kind comments about our staff and customer service, and we’re sorry to hear that the tour left you disappointed.
Some third-party listings may show an approximate duration of 3.5 hours, as our Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching tours run between 3 and 4 hours total.
We understand that you were hoping for more variety and activity. While our crew always seek to provide the best wildlife sightings possible, sightings of specific species cannot be guaranteed, and our experienced captains make decisions throughout each tour based on many factors including weather conditions, recent sighting reports, wildlife activity, and the time available.
Thank you again for your honest review. We regret that the sightings and overall experience did not meet your expectations.
Keith_B, Aug 2026
The boat and crew were great. But we traveled 80 miles, tracked on my GPS only to see a few Orcas from a long distance, so was disappointed 😞
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your feedback, Keith. We’re glad you enjoyed the boat and crew, but sorry to hear that the wildlife viewing did not meet your expectations.
Whale locations vary daily, so our crew may travel considerable distances to find them. We also strictly maintain the legally required viewing distances from orcas to protect the animals.
Thank you again for joining us and sharing your experience.
cdefonsohotmailcom, Jul 2026
Boat ride was comfortable and scenic. Love that they take pictures for you and send them to you for free later so you can focus on just "being in the moment" to observe the whales and not worry about taking pictures. Their pictures are 1000 times better than what I would capture with my phone anyway! We had a great day and saw a pod of killer whales and a lone humpback whale. Crew was friendly and helpful. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're delighted to hear you had such a great day on the water and enjoyed seeing both a pod of killer whales and a humpback whale. We're especially glad you appreciated our complimentary photo service, it really does let guests relax, enjoy the moment, and leave the photography to us! Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure.
Jeanette_L, Jul 2026
The Prince of Whales was our vessel of choice for our whale watching tour off Vancouver Island in July 2026 (you've gotta have a bigger boat, right?!). We covered a long distance in our search for whales, but it paid off! Towards the end of our tour we had multiple sightings! It was a glorious day weather-wise and we couldn't have wished for a better result. Would recommend this tour - we had a great time. Keep your eyes peeled everywhere - look for the blow holes, stay focussed and start clicking away with your camera - the whales don't wait for that perfect shot - but you just might capture them!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so glad the search paid off with multiple whale sightings and that you enjoyed such a beautiful day on the water. Thanks for sharing your great wildlife spotting tips, too! We appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you aboard again soon.
Jenni_C, Jul 2026
This is an exceptional experience! Not only did the ship’s team guide you to see the whales, but they shared details and information I didn’t know about these beautiful creatures. This was a bucket list dream of my daughter, husband and I and Prince of Whales Whale Watching created a fantastic memory we will always treasure!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review, Jenni! We’re so happy to hear that your whale watching adventure was such a special experience for you, your husband, and your daughter. It means so much to know that we were able to help create a memorable moment for your family and bring a bucket list dream to life. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our crew, and we’re thrilled that their knowledge and passion helped make your time on the water even more meaningful. Thank you for choosing Prince of Whales, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for more unforgettable wildlife encounters!
Brad_B, Jul 2026
The overall experience was really positive. The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. The boat was clean. Safety was a priority. There was a focus on locally sourced snacks and drinks. Also, focus on habitat and wildlife conservation. We saw three different humpback whales. It was an experience that we’ll never forget!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Brad!
We're delighted to hear you had such a positive experience with us and that you appreciated our commitment to safety, and our focus on supporting local products and marine conservation.
Thank you for choosing Prince of Whales, and we hope we can welcome you back soon for another adventure!
Ambre_E, Jul 2026
Wonderful, safe experience! Knowledge naturalist. A very clean boat. Saw lots of whales! Would go again!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. It's great that you got to see so many whales, and we're glad you appreciated our knowledgeable naturalist and the cleanliness of the boat. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure!
Michael_L, Jul 2026
Richard and Lindsey got us onto whales right away. Reid, Rhiannon, and Eden were knowledgeable and answered everyone’s questions about the whales and migration patterns.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review! We're so glad Richard and Lindsey were able to get you onto the whales so quickly. We'll also be sure to share your kind words with Reid, Rhiannon, and Eden, they'll be thrilled to hear you enjoyed learning about the whales and their migration patterns. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Julie_A, Jul 2026
Excellent trip! Cruise guides were very nice and informative. Photographer was awesome! Very organized and on time. Saw 20 whales! Boat was comfortable with double hulls, no one got sick! Yay! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind review, Julie! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with our crew and found the boat so comfortable! We are also so happy to hear you enjoyed the wonderful photos. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
Guadalupe_C, Jul 2026
Friendly and knowledgeable crew; we saw about 4 pods of orcas and even one breach! It was an amazing day!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your 5-star review! We are so glad you enjoyed your tour with us and got to see a pod of orcas, and even a breach! We are also delighted to hear that our crew made your experience so engaging while sharing their knowledge about the wonderful whales in Victoria. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Laura_J, Jul 2026
Beautiful Orcas! It is our favorite activity from our trip. The crew was amazing! Amber and Andre were ver informative and they shared amazing pictures that they took from our trip. I highly recommend this adventure!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your 5-star review, Laura! We are so glad you enjoyed your tour with us and got to see some beautiful orcas! We're also delighted to hear you enjoyed the photos. We will be sure to pass along your kind words to the team. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Ted_G, Jul 2026
Staff were excellent, tour was fantastic. We had the best weather as it was hot out and the water was calm. Saw many humpbacks lunge-feeding and even trumpeting. We were disappointed in the photos and videos included. Good thing my wife took great videos and pictures because we captured much more of the activity than what was supplied to us through the email. I would encourage Prince of Wales to either include more photos and videos or to encourage people to take their own because PofW will only do a bunch of close-up still shots. We were even told to not worry about taking pictures and videos since PofW would do it. But my wife did her own and we're thankful she did!
Cassandra_G, Jul 2026
Amazing whale watching experience! We were lucky enough to see multiple orca pods, and the crew (Captain Richard, First Mate Taylor, and Naturalists: Andrei, Reid, and Amber) were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the wildlife. I especially loved that they took wildlife photos for us. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Victoria!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful 5-star review! We are so glad you enjoyed your tour with us and got to see multiple orca pods. What a special memory!
It's great to hear that our crew made your experience so engaging and fun. We are so glad their passion for wildlife really stood out during your tour. We're also delighted to hear that you enjoyed the complimentary photos!
We truly appreciate your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Andrea_K, Jun 2026
Very good organisation, email with detailed information about tour, check-in and clothes to wear.
Hot beverage for free!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review, Andrea! We're delighted to hear you found the tour well organized and that the detailed pre-tour information helped you prepare for your adventure. It's also great to know you enjoyed the complimentary hot beverages while out on the water. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable wildlife experience!
Doris_B, Jun 2026
My family and I enjoyed being able to go out into the water and enjoy the fresh air as well as the excellent sighting of a few beautiful humpback whales. It was especially relaxing because of the crew photographing the wildlife for us so I wouldn't have to worry about getting the perfect shot and just enjoyed the view.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Doris! We're happy to hear that you and your family had such an enjoyable and relaxing experience out on the water. It’s wonderful that you were able to simply take in the fresh air and beautiful humpback whale sightings without having to worry about capturing the perfect photo. Our crew is always happy to help with that so guests can fully enjoy the moment. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable wildlife experience!
Avelino_Z, Jun 2026
Staff were very informative and we managed to see humpbacks, bald eagles, harbour seals and stellar sealions.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the informative commentary from our crew and had the opportunity to see such an incredible variety of wildlife, including humpback whales, bald eagles, harbour seals, and Steller sea lions. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure!
John_M, Jun 2026
It was awesome! We saw lots of whales. Our Captain Francois, First Mate Gord, and Naturalists Andrew, Eden, and Amber were all great.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review, John! We're thrilled to hear you had such an awesome experience and were able to see lots of whales. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Captain Francois, First Mate Gord, and Naturalists Andrew, Eden, and Amber. They'll be delighted to know they helped make your tour so memorable. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you aboard again for another incredible adventure!
Susan_T, Jun 2026
Very communicative staff and before the whale watching. Excellent photog. Hot chocolate was delicious. Saw whales
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review, Susan! We’re thrilled to hear you felt well looked after by our team and enjoyed great communication before your whale watching tour. It’s wonderful that you were able to see whales during your trip, and we’re glad you enjoyed the onboard photography and hot chocolate as well. We really appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you aboard again for another amazing experience!
From $159.42
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