Vancouver Whale Watch Large Zodiac Tour with Guide
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Vancouver, Canada
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Scout for an incredible array of marine life during this half-day Vancouver whale-watching cruise. Once on-board the comfortable vessel, you can look out for orcas, humpback whales, seals, porpoises, and eagles. The region is renowned for attracting whales, offering a 95% success rate with sightings. Best of all, enjoy spectacular scenery set amidst the Gulf and San Juan Islands, and see views many other visitors to the region miss.
- Have the best chance of spotting whales and other marine wildlife
- See some of the region's most spectacular coastal scenery
- This tour makes exploring beyond city limits hassle-free
- Shuttle option for round-trip transportation from downtown Vancouver
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Restroom on board
- Granola Bar
- Yellow windbreaker jackets
- Naturalist guide
- Live commentary
- Orca Ranger activity book (receive a special badge, become an Orca Ranger)
- Our whale guarantee (if we don't see whales, come back for free - does not expire, non-transferable)
- Gratuities optional
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Vancouver Whale Watch12240 Second Ave #210, Richmond, BC V7E 3L8, Canada
Arrival at our office is required one hour before your tour. Check in at our office to receive your boarding pass. Boats depart promptly on time. #210-12240 Second Avenue Richmond BC V7E 3L8
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Explore the incredible marine life near Vancouver during this half-day whale watching cruise in search of orcas and much more. If you’re a nature lover or simply looking for a way to immerse yourself in the scenic beautiful of the western coast of Canada, this excursion is a great option.
Start your whale watching trip with pickup from select Vancouver hotels (if option selected) or by meeting at Steveston, where your boat departs. A shuttle transports guests from convenient hotel locations in Vancouver, and free parking is available for those arriving by car.
Then, climb aboard your sleek, modern whale-watching vessel. This tour travels out into the waters of coastal British Columbia. The area for your excursion is renowned for the orca pods that come to feed on marine mammals throughout the year, and humpback whales that visit during the summer months to feed in the temperate-rich waters. During your tour, you can also look out for porpoises, bald eagles, shore birds, seals, and sea lions.
Finally, the tour ends when you return to shore and your original departure point.
Start your whale watching trip with pickup from select Vancouver hotels (if option selected) or by meeting at Steveston, where your boat departs. A shuttle transports guests from convenient hotel locations in Vancouver, and free parking is available for those arriving by car.
Then, climb aboard your sleek, modern whale-watching vessel. This tour travels out into the waters of coastal British Columbia. The area for your excursion is renowned for the orca pods that come to feed on marine mammals throughout the year, and humpback whales that visit during the summer months to feed in the temperate-rich waters. During your tour, you can also look out for porpoises, bald eagles, shore birds, seals, and sea lions.
Finally, the tour ends when you return to shore and your original departure point.
1
Vancouver Whale Watch
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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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
What a phenomenal tour. Captain James and James, the naturalist, were just great. So knowledgable and professional. Saw lots of humpbacks as well as Orcas. And as an added bonus seal lions, seals and even a stork. James, the naturalist, was very informative and welcomed any and all questions. I highly recommend this tour.
Reviews
4.7
based on 1,649 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Great experience, everything ran on time, well organised; friendly, knowledgeable and competent tour staff. We saw humpbacks, orcas, seals, sea lions, porpoises and even salmon leaping out of the water! We also booked a shuttle which arrived promptly and was comfortable. For the prices we paid it was well worth the money. I had had to contact them on a few occasions prior to the tour and they always responded on time. However one thing that could have ruined the experience was the directions for the shuttle pickup in American English: "kitty corner to...." As a European I didn't have a clue what this meant. Good thing I was able to call them for clarification as I was waiting on the wrong side of the road at a busy intersection and would have missed the shuttle! So it would be advisable to issue instructions that are universal for everyone to understand, not just N. American.
This is an experience you must have to have. You may see special rocks shaped by waves and tides, seals, sea lions and whales. Waves and sometimes a bumpy and bouncy boat trip may be included, but it's worth. The crew is kind and helpful.
Very knowledgeable crew. Amazing afternoon viewing humpback whales, seals and sea lions. Comfortable boat and beautiful weather.
Such an incredible experience with an amazing crew! Huge thanks to Captain Glenn, Dion, and Daisy for an unforgettable day on the water. We saw so many whales and got some spectacular photos!
So awesome!! I never gave much thought into whale watching but my boyfriend and I had such a memorable experience, so glad we did this. We saw several humpbacks. We would definitely do this again and highly recommend!
This was an amazing experience! This was everything we wanted and more I couldn’t have asked for better time with my family.
One of the best experiences of my life! Crew was informative, friendly and knowledgeable. Saw humpback whales, orcas and a seal. I highly recommend!
Our experience was the best; everyone from the people in the check-in office, to the Captain and his crew were as excited for us, as we were to be taking this whale tour!!! This experience did not disappoint! Our tour was at 2:00 pm, and we saw one humpback whale and a couple of killer whales. One in particular was named, Chainsaw, who was born in 1978!
Capt. Scotty also took us over to see a colony of sea lions!! Wow, there were so big boys among them, and did it ever stink of fish! 😆
Someone from the tour group before ours (from the morning) said they saw more whales and Orcas, so you might want to take the earlier tour.
Thank you to all involved for making this experience so memorable!!!
We took the large zodiak tour that allowed you to move around the boat for different viewing and vantage points. Got tons of pics and videos! Fortunately we had a calm day, which made for a smooth ride as well as a much easier time spotting activity on the water surface. We saw several humpbacks and orcas, there was no real lull in the action. We also were able to view colonies of harbour seals and sea lions. The crew was extremely informative and eager to engage with guests no matter the question or subject. It was clear that they love what they do. Would absolutely do this tour again and again...
Very friendly staff. The boat was great. The whales were amazing. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! We're happy to hear that our staff provided you with a friendly experience! We hope to see you again on another tour!
This was the most amazing whale watching experience. The captain and crew were super friendly and made sure we saw as much as possible, and boy did we! Took the shuttle from Vancouver and it was super easy; even got a nice informational tour along the way. Absolutely incredible, exceeded expectations!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! We're so glad to hear that our staff made your experience easy and fun! All of our staff have a passion for BC and its wildlife. We'd love to have you again on another tour!
We saw Orca’s and humpback whales! The humpbacks were all over! It was an amazing excursion! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! We're thrilled to hear that you got to see some amazing humpback whales and orcas! We hope to have you on another tour in the future!
Captain Scotty and crew members Ken and Dion were absolutely amazing and did not disappoint! They definitely know where to go — we were so fortunate to see both humpback whales and orcas up close.
Ken and Dion were a wealth of knowledge and shared so much fascinating information about both species throughout the excursion. You could tell how passionate and experienced they are, which made the experience even more special.
It was truly an amazing day and an unforgettable experience! I would 100 percent do this excursion again and highly recommend Captain Scotty and his crew to anyone looking for an incredible whale watching adventure in Vancouver!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! We're so glad to hear that Ken, Dion and Scotty helped make your trip so special with their passion and knowledge of BC wildlife. Getting to see both humpbacks and orcas is always a thrilling experience! Thank you for the kind words and we hope to welcome you on another tour again in the future!
Amazing experience! It was such a great trip and overall great atmosphere on the boat. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! We're so glad to hear that you had an amazing experience on board seeing whales. We'd love to have you again on another tour!
Great whale watching tour with Captain Scotty, Brin and one other naturalist. They were able to find both orca and humpback whales, seals, and sea lions. The information they share with us was very interesting and the boat was clean and comfortable. We would absolutely book with them again or recommend them to friends and family who are traveling to Vancouver!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! What a great day you had, getting to see orcas, humpbacks, seals and sea lions. We're also so glad to hear that our staff were able to enrich you experience with their knowledge! All of our staff have a passion for BC wildlife and care about making your tour a special one! We hope to have you on another tour in the future!
Staff in office and on craft were very friendly and accommodating. The boat staff, Captain Scotty, Brynne, and Brandon were fantastic!
Saw gray whales, eagles, orcas, and seals.
Highly recommend this vendor!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! We're so happy to hear that all of our staff helped create a positive experience for you! What a great day, seeing Gray whales, Orcas, Eagles and Seals! We hope to have you on another tour in the future!
Great tour overall. We saw three different pods of orcas and a humph back whale. The tour lasted nearly four hours. Captain glenn, Mindy, dind were very knowledgeable and shared lots of great knowledge.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review. We're so glad that you got to see so many orcas as well as a humpback, as seeing both is a rare and wonderful experience! Our captains and guides are all incredibly passionate about the whales and other wildlife in BC, so we're thrilled that they were able to enhance your experience even further by sharing their knowledge with you!
We saw about a dozen humpback whales, a once in a lifetime experience and definitely worth doing while in BC!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the five star review! What an incredible adventure you had, seeing a dozen humpback whales! We're so glad that we are able to help make your trip to BC so memorable.
The crew was very informative and amazing at making it fun.
We saw everything from whales to sea lions and seals !!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the five star review. We are very happy to hear that you experienced so much and that our amazing crew elevated your experience even further. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
We were so lucky. We saw 3 pods of Orca playing in the water, then headed off as a grey whale had been spotted. We were lucky enough he was still there. We saw lots of sea lions and cormorants and then headed off again to see a humpback whale. What an amazing day. The guide was so informative and it was all well organised. I would definitely recommend
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the five star review. We are so glad that you got to see so many orcas, as well as a humpback and a grey whale, as well as other marine life! These creatures are magnificent and we're so happy to hear that your guide enriched your experience further.
Our trip was fabulous. Many sightings. Humpback and killer whales, a harbor seal and a stoic bald eagle. Our naturalist, Maggie was extremely knowledgeable and willing to answer all our questions.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the five star review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience and were able to see and learn so much. We hope to welcome you again on a future tour!
This tour was great. We seen a few different killer whale pods, a beautiful humpback whale and seals. Our tour guides Captiam Roy, Brandon and James were friendly, knowledgeable and just really awesome.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the 5 star review! We are so happy you enjoyed your tour with us and appreciate your kind words of our staff and crew. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Dress in layers as it can get cold and windy on the boat. The water was rough so if you know you get sea sick then think about taking something for motion sickness with you. We saw quite a few whales, it was very good
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your review, we do always recommend dressing in layers as it can be 10 degrees cooler on the water. We also provide free coats for extra layers as well as ginger for motion sickness. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour with us and saw whales.
I’ve been with this tour group before. The last time we had an incredibly close encounter with a few humpback whales. This time they had the right information and ensured we got to see a pod of 4 orcas!
Brandon and Brandon the guides were very knowledgeable, kind and patient.
Would return!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words of our crew, we will pass this on to them. Thank you for sharing your experience with Vancouver Whale Watch!
This was on my bucket list, to see whales in their natural habitat. The captain made sure to track the whales and stop and turn to give everyone that chance to get pics and good views. It was an incredible experience while also protecting the integrity of the wild life.
Response from Host, May 2026
We think it's awesome to be part of your bucket list! Thank you for your review and for choosing Vancouver Whale Watch!
Great experience, great crew, and great to see beautiful wildlife in their natural habitat, highly recommended!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for sharing your great experience with Vancouver Whale Watch and our awesome crew, and thank you for your high recommendation of our tour.
We had a great time on the trip. Saw sea lions, harbor seals, a juvenile humpback and a large male orca supposedly named Noah. Bring layers to keep warm. There is a bathroom on board. Was super fun and relaxing. If you have time, definitely plan some extra time before or after the trip to walk around the wharf. Some fantastic seafood restaurants and cute little shops. Could have spent more time there.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sounds like a fabulous trip and seeing so many different animals on your tour. Steveston Village is so great, with it's shops and restaurants happy to hear you enjoyed it and your tour with us, Thank you!
Its worth going to Richmond on the shuttle rather than just getting in a Harbour tour boat because its such a cute little village by the wharf! The bus driver was so informative and hilarious and they are so welcoming when you get there! The guids on the boat were so involved and informative they took their time to let us really enjoy when we found both the orcas and the Grey whale! The boat ride was fun too and seeing Stanley Park from the ocean was cool too:) 😎 what a fabulous experience my son and I had we will cherish those memories and that day for a lifetime! THANK YOU
Sincerely,
Lisa and Jasper!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
So great to hear that you enjoyed our round trip shuttle service, our knowledgeable drivers are always eager to make the trip a memorable one. We are so lucky to call Steveston Village our home, known as the gateway to the whales! Thank you for sharing your fabulous experience with our crew and tour!
I have been to several wildlife watching experiences and this one has the most action I could imagine. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your recommendation and review, sounds like a fabulous day viewing the wildlife! From our crew thank you for choosing Vancouver Whale Watch!
We saw 2 types of whales at 2 separate locations.
The crew was great.
The ride was safe and ppretty smooth.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank so much for joining us! We're really glad you got to see both orcas and humpbacks! That's always such a special day out on the water. It's great to hear you felt safe and enjoyed the smooth ride too!
I'll make sure to share your kind words with the crew. We hope we get to welcome you back out with us again one day!
Member Pricing
From
$150.57
per personWas $158.50(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Vancouver Whale Watch Large Zodiac Tour with Guide
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