Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Vancouver, Canada
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Board a comfortable vessel equipped with several viewing areas
- Learn more than you would on other tours from your naturalist guides
- Enjoy beautiful views of the region that many other visitors miss
- Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate help keep you toasty on board
What's Included
- Free Photo Package Featuring Wildlife!
- Educational materials on board
- Complimentary tea, coffee & hot chocolate
- Two washrooms
- Whale Sightings Guarantee—complimentary tours from all locations until you see whales (fees apply).
- 95-passenger vessel featuring indoor, heated cabin with floor to ceiling windows and open air decks
- Captain and expert crew of 3-4 guides/naturalists
- Digital Language Guides available (German, Dutch, Spanish, English, French) More coming soon...
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Excludes taxes and fees for Lifetime Whale Sighting Guarantee
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1666 Duranleau St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y1, Canada
Please remember to check-in 30 minutes before your adventure, At 1666 Duranleau st on Granville Island behind Bridges restaurant. We will not hold the boat for late guests.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Fall in love with the beauty of Vancouver on this half-day whale-watching adventure.
The tour departs from Granville Island, near downtown Vancouver. Hop aboard your specially outfitted catamaran, built for whale-watching and designed to minimize its ecological footprint.
Have your camera out and ready as you scan the waters for different species of whales, as well as an array of seabirds and other marine life. You'll travel in comfort in the heated indoor cabins or can head outdoors for unobstructed views.
As you go, your naturalist guides will share their stories and knowledge about the area's geology, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Finally, after half a day on the water, return to your original departure point, where this tour ends.
The tour departs from Granville Island, near downtown Vancouver. Hop aboard your specially outfitted catamaran, built for whale-watching and designed to minimize its ecological footprint.
Have your camera out and ready as you scan the waters for different species of whales, as well as an array of seabirds and other marine life. You'll travel in comfort in the heated indoor cabins or can head outdoors for unobstructed views.
As you go, your naturalist guides will share their stories and knowledge about the area's geology, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Finally, after half a day on the water, return to your original departure point, where this tour ends.
1
Prince of Whales Whale Watching
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
- Check-in 30 minutes before 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
Kaye_L
What an incredible trip! Not only did we see humpback whales, we saw them breaching at least 20 times. First time we have ever seen such beauty. But what also made this trip special, was the onboard guides. They were extremely friendly and knowledgeable, always smiling and talking to the passengers. In particular, I would like to mention Wilma. This isn’t just a job to her. You could tell she absolutely loves what she does and was so friendly and personably. I would not hesitate to recommend this trip. Fantastic.
Reviews
4.9
based on 5,316 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Amanda_H, Jul 2026
It was a great experience got to view Sea Lion’s, Whales and the best was Orcas. We were lucky enough and saw a pod of them.
Janice_M, Jul 2026
The staff were very welcoming and they chatted to us throughout the experience. They are very experienced in what they do and very informative
SHARON_J, Jul 2026
The staff explained so much of what we were seeing. They made sure to head out to several sightings.
Janne_H, Jul 2026
Best experiences in Canada. Exceptionally great guides who have a deep knowledge on the whales and nature in and around Vancouver. Spotted humpbacks, orcas and seals...
Thank you also for doing things in a sustainable way. We didn't go too close any of the species and sustainability was taken into account in many ways, which is vital.
Jeannie_P, Jul 2026
Amazing experience. Highly recommend making the trip and it was great seeing all the whales and stinky rock.
Tuo_L, Jul 2026
We had an absolutely magical day with this whale-watching tour!! Our guides and naturalists Dawson, Petra and Thomas were engaging, attentive and kind. We had plenty of whale sightings, and also saw harbor seals, sea lions and bald eagles as well. Everything was seamless. An unforgettable and fabulous day!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are so thrilled to hear you enjoyed exploring the Salish Sea with our expert crew, learning all about the wonderful marine life you saw along the way, from the majestic whales to the rambunctious sea lions and adorable harbour seals! We hope we will get to see you again for more unforgettable excursions!
Debra_O, Jul 2026
We did see humpback whales, orcas, a few bald eagles, sea lions and seals! Great boat with restrooms and snacks and informative and professional team! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are so delighted to hear of the wonderful time you had on board riding in comfort with our knowledgeable naturalists. How exciting to see both the majestic humpback whales as well as the striking orcas! The adorable harbour seals and boisterous sea lions are such a delight to watch as well. We hope we will get to welcome you back aboard again for more exciting adventures!
Corinne_S, Jul 2026
The tour was amazing and we saw multiple whales and sea life. Dani was an incredible, knowledgable instructor for us. The staff and crew made the experience that much better!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience, Corinne! We’re so happy to hear you had an amazing time on the water and were able to see multiple whales and marine wildlife. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Dani and the rest of the crew, we’re thrilled to hear their knowledge and passion helped make your experience even more memorable. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again in the future!
susan_d, Jul 2026
Start to Finish an excellent excursion! Thanks to Capt Roman, Connor and whale experts Tobin and Belu. They delivered the whales and fascinated us along the way. What a great trip!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Susan!
We're thrilled to hear you had an excellent excursion from start to finish! The team will be delighted to hear that their knowledge, enthusiasm, and teamwork helped make your adventure so memorable.
Thank you for choosing Prince of Whales, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another adventure!
Shanna_N, Jul 2026
This experience was worth every dollar. We saw Orcas, Sea Lions. Humpback and so much lovely landscape. Our host Ashley made the experience even better. She was friendly and extremely knowledgeable about Whales and the variety of sea life offered in the area. What a great adventure.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Shanna!
We're thrilled to hear your whale watching adventure was good value and that you were able to see such a fantastic variety of wildlife!
Ashley will be delighted to hear that her friendliness and knowledge helped make your experience even more memorable.
Thank you for choosing Prince of Whales, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another adventure!
Lisa_P, Jul 2026
Great tour. Plenty of whales had inside and outside seating. Hot chocolate was great. We saw orcas and many humpbacks. The crew had a lot of knowledge. Like that they give u photos after. We have previously done whale watch in Victoria same time of year which had 1 whale which was a disappointment because we see more in Boston. Checked off my orca sightings that we didn't get the prior year which was bucket list for us.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Lisa!
We're thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic tour and were able to check seeing orcas off your bucket list! It's also great to know you enjoyed the hot chocolate, the indoor and outdoor seating, our complimentary photo package, and the knowledge shared by our crew.
Thank you for choosing Prince of Whales. We're so glad this visit delivered the experience you were hoping for, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another adventure in the future!
Nicole_B, Jul 2026
The boat goes quite fast but it is very comfortable inside. We came across whales, sea lions, seals and eagles.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review, Nicole!
We're so glad you enjoyed your whale watching adventure and that you found the vessel comfortable.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another adventure in the future!
Kelsie_B, Jul 2026
What an incredibly fun experience! We seen sea lions, orcas (even got to watch them play!) and a couple humpback whales!
The caption, naturalists and photographer was amazing as well!!
Dani was our naturalist at the front of the boat. She was sooooo kind, funny and knowledgeable!
Would 100000% do again some day !
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Kelsie!
We're thrilled to hear you had such an incredible time on the water and were able to see sea lions, playful orcas, and humpback whales!
Thank you for your kind words about the team. Dani will be so happy to hear that her knowledge, humor, and enthusiasm made your experience even more memorable.
Thank you for choosing Prince of Whales. We'd love to welcome you back aboard for another adventure someday!
Courtney_E, Jul 2026
Captain and crew was very mindful of the safety of both the guests and the animals we encountered. When we spotted both humpbacks and orcas, they were able to quickly identify each animals and relay interesting information about their lives.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad to hear that you felt safe and well taken care of throughout your adventure. Our crew is passionate about both guest safety and respecting the incredible wildlife we encounter. We'll be sure to share your kind words with the team, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience on the water!
Langue_R, Jul 2026
Our family had an amazing time during the whale watching adventure. Captain Roman, Luke, Jake, Dan, and Fawkes were great. The travel was very smooth and Jake was in constant communication let us know everything we were watching, historical tidbits, a wealth of information, as well as great anecdotes.
We got to see a couple of pairs of humpback whales, sea lions, seals, bald eagles. And we were extremely fortunate to have one pair of the whales breach right next to us and the other pair just "play" around the boat.
It was a great experience and very well run.
We highly recommend it.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad your family had an amazing experience and were able to see such incredible wildlife, including the humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Captain Roman, Luke, Jake, Dan, and Fawkes. Thanks for joining us and for the recommendation, we hope to see you again soon!
Jennifer_C, Jul 2026
I had the privilege of joining the half day whale watching excursion today. It was the experience of a lifetime. We saw humpback whales, seals, eagles and ORCAS!
First, the boat was spacious and comfortable with lots of room, drinks, and washrooms. However, what really made the experience shine was the crew! They stuck with it until the very end of the journey when we unexpectedly came across a pod of 4 orcas. It was neat seeing the crew get as excited as we did. The authenticity of their care was undeniable and you can tell that they love their jobs.
We had a great time, listening to information about the whales and even learning their names! The crew let the adventure go a bit over time so that we could enjoy the time watching the orcas. I was so excited to see the whales that I forgot to get my phone out; luckily the crew was equipped with a photographer who took pictures throughout, and these were sent to us by email very quickly after the tour.
It was an incredible experience with a wonderful company. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a whale watching experience!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had a once in a lifetime experience and were able to see humpbacks, seals, eagles, and a pod of orcas. We're so glad our crew helped make the day memorable with their knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to finding wildlife.
We'll be sure to share your kind words with the team. We're also happy you enjoyed the complimentary photos and were able to relive those incredible moments afterward. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure!
Graeme_H, Jul 2026
Only saw one whale from a distance. (thought these operators know what whales are around). Sailed to seal colony then another and that was it. Tour finished after 4 hours, not approx 5 hours. Waste of money.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Graeme, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're sorry to hear your tour didn't meet your expectations.
Although we have a very high whale sighting success rate, every tour is different. Our experienced crew uses recent sightings, reports from other vessels, and their knowledge of whale behaviour to give guests the best possible opportunity to see whales. However, they are wild animals, and their movements can change quickly and unpredictably.
Our tours also include opportunities to observe other local marine wildlife, such as seal colonies, when conditions allow. Regarding the duration, our tours last up to a maximum of five hours, and factors such as wildlife locations, weather, sea conditions, and harbour traffic can occasionally affect the overall length of the trip.
We understand how disappointing it can be when whale sightings are limited, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Lisa_S, Jun 2026
Great time on the tour, loved how knowledgeable staff were on the wide variety of wildlife. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your 5-star review, Lisa! We are so glad you enjoyed your tour with us and had the opportunity to learn more about Vancouver's diverse wildlife from our crew. We truly appreciate your kind words, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
Kurt_F, Jun 2026
We had a fantastic trip. The guides were very knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting information about the local wildlife and marine ecosystem. We were fortunate enough to see four whales, which made the experience even more memorable. The crew were friendly, well organised, and made sure everyone had a good view.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review, Kurt! We are so glad you enjoyed your tour with us and got to learn more about the local wildlife and marine ecosystem in Vancouver and see some whales! We will be sure to pass along your kind words to the crew.
Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
Julie_M, Jun 2026
Wonderful experience! We had a great crew on our trip- Stephen, Ashley, Tobin, and Caitlin were all excellent and made the whale watching experience 10/10. They answered questions and provided education along the way. They were also environmentally conscientious which I appreciated. If you're looking for a great whale watching experience, would definitely recommend this company!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with Stephen, Ashley, Tobin, and Caitlin. We'll be sure to share your kind words with them. They'll be delighted to know their knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for marine conservation helped make your tour so memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable whale watching adventure!
Nahum_C, Jun 2026
I was really lucky and got to see both Orcas and Humpback Whales ! On top of that I learned so much about them thanks to Dan, one of the tour guides. Definitely a must if coming to Vancouver 😁
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you were lucky enough to see both orcas and humpback whales! We're also so glad Dan was able to make the tour even more special by sharing his knowledge and insights with you. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you aboard next time you're in Vancouver!
Joanna_J, Jun 2026
Ever since I watched “Free Willy” as a little girl, I wanted to see orca in the wild one day. And I finally managed to thanks to Prince of Whales. We also spotted a couple of humpback whales, sea lions, seals. It was fascinating seeing all of them in their natural habitat so beautiful, happy, and free.
I loved seeing the boats keep a respectful distance from all animals. A reminder that we've learned to admire wildlife without disturbing it. Team was hugely knowledgeable and went over above on delivering the life time experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your beautiful review, Joanna! We're truly honoured to hear that your lifelong dream sparked by “Free Willy” came true with us, and that you were able to see orcas in the wild for the first time. It’s wonderful that you also encountered humpback whales, sea lions, and seals, and were able to observe them all in their natural habitat. We’re especially glad you appreciated the respectful approach to wildlife viewing, as protecting these incredible animals is something we care deeply about. We'll be sure to share your kind words with our crew, they’ll be so happy to know they helped deliver such a meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard in the future!
Luke_S, Jun 2026
Great. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Dawson was great as was the other staff. Saw lots of good animals.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review, Luke! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience and enjoyed the knowledge and friendliness of our staff. We'll be sure to pass your kind words along to Dawson and the rest of the team. They'll be so happy to hear they helped make your trip special. We're also glad you were able to see lots of amazing wildlife along the way! We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure.
Kristine_K, Jun 2026
This was the very last thing we did at the end of a two week adventure to the Pacific Northwest, and it proved an amazing conclusion to an already fantastic trip. The boat was very comfortable and we appreciated the hot drinks. The crew was all very nice and knowledgeable. We were so fortunate as, not only did we see some orcas in the Vancouver Harbour, we also happened upon a group of breaching whales - an awe-inspiring sight! As part of the tour, crew members take photos that are emailed to you within a few hours - not only did they capture fantastic pictures, it also meant that we could just really be present and enjoy our time with the whales instead of trying to get the perfect shot. We also really appreciated the respect the crew seemed to have for the whales, not crowding them or approaching them, understanding that we were visitors to their waters. The whole thing was terrific. Special shout out to Jonah and Victor, two of the naturalists aboard; and Karl, our captain. Highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review, Kristine! We're honoured that your whale watching tour was the perfect finale to your two-week Pacific Northwest adventure. We're thrilled you were treated to such incredible wildlife encounters, from orcas in the Vancouver Harbour to the unforgettable sight of breaching humpback whales. It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the comfort of the vessel, the complimentary hot drinks, and especially our complimentary photography service, allowing you to stay present and fully enjoy the experience. We also truly appreciate your recognition of our commitment to respectful wildlife viewing, protecting these incredible animals and their habitat is at the heart of everything we do. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Captain Karl and Naturalists Jonah and Victor. They will be delighted to know they helped make your trip so memorable. Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back aboard one day for another unforgettable adventure!
Natalie_T, Jun 2026
Incredible! We saw humpbacks breaching, orcas hunting and sea lions swimming around. Great ship, plenty of area to stay dry and warm. Excellent crew.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review, Natalie! We're thrilled to hear you had such an incredible experience and were able to witness humpback whales breaching, orcas hunting, and sea lions swimming nearby. We're also glad you enjoyed the comfort of the vessel and found plenty of space to stay warm and dry. Thank you for your kind words about our crew, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another amazing wildlife adventure!
Jessica_R, Jun 2026
This was a great experience of being able to see whales and learn more about them. We saw humpback, orcas and sea lions. Both Fox and Dawson were amazing both with telling us about the whales and making sure we were comfortable
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Jessica! We're delighted to hear you had such a great experience and were able to see humpback whales, orcas, and sea lions all on the same tour. It's fantastic to know that Fox and Dawson helped make your trip so enjoyable by sharing their knowledge and ensuring everyone was comfortable throughout the adventure. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them. We hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable wildlife experience!
Ralph_E, Jun 2026
Great experience! Saw numerous humpback whales, sea lions, and eagle. We had beautiful weather and the Prince of Whales staff were Iinformative and friendly!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the 5-star review! We’re so glad you had a great day on the water and were able to enjoy such a fun set of wildlife sightings! It’s wonderful to hear our team helped make the experience even more memorable.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope we can welcome you back soon for another adventure!
Geri_H, Jun 2026
Fantastic! Experienced captain. Terrific naturalists on board. Shout out to Caitlin. Saw 2 humpbacks & 3 Orcas - up close & personal. Plus a surprise bonus - a sea lion who briefly sought shelter on the back of our boat when it was being hunted by the Orcas. - very unusual we were told (it survived). The staff knew exactly what to do. They are incredibly knowledgeable & respectful of the ocean life. Highly recommend. Best whale watching tour I’ve ever taken.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the 5-star review! We’re so glad to hear you had such a fantastic experience on your tour and got to witnessed such an extraordinary wildlife encounter! We’re delighted to hear that the crew helped make the experience both informative and memorable.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another adventure!
Keith_S, Jun 2026
My family had a very enjoyable experience on the whale watching boat. Staff was very knowledgeable and able to share so much relevant information. They welcomed questions and ride was smooth. We saw several whales as wells as sea lions and eagles.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Keith. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour and found the staff informative. We hope we can welcome you back soon for another adventure!
Sharon_D, Jun 2026
Beautiful day on the water. We were lucky enough to see lots of hump backs. Great naturalists on board explaining all their habits and answering all questions. Lots of different spaces to sit on the boat and move around to view the whales Highly recommend..
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the 5-star review, Sharon. We’re so glad to hear you had such a beautiful day on the water and were able to enjoy so many humpback sightings during your tour.
It’s wonderful to hear that the naturalists helped make the experience even more enjoyable by sharing information about the whales and answering your questions along the way. We’re also happy that you appreciated the different viewing areas on board and the ability to move around comfortably while taking in the wildlife.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope we can welcome you back soon for another adventure!
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