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
Robert_G
Got beat up on other whale watching trips during this cruise, so the smooth ride was welcome. Crew was great, good commentary and spotting, and knew when to move off one sighting and on to another. Great Orcas in close to shore on the third spot! Would do again and would recommend.
Reviews
4.9
based on 2,589 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
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!
Matthew_S, Jun 2026
Friendly professional crew, stable ship fast, lots of shade opportunities on the boat lots of protected spaces from the wind, but also lots of exposed areas so you can enjoy the air.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the 5-star review, Matthew. We’re so glad to hear you had a great experience on your tour. We’re happy to hear that you were able to make the most of both the sheltered seating and the open viewing areas while taking in the fresh sea air and incredible scenery.
Thank you for your kind words about our crew, and we hope we can welcome you back soon for another adventure!
Anonymous, Jun 2026
Great experience knowledgeable staff Captin and First Mate Francois was very informative throughout the watch. There were about 18 whales feeding during our time
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the 5-star review. We’re so glad to hear you had such an awesome experience on the water and were able to witness 18 whales feeding!
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another adventure!
Katherine_J, Jun 2026
As a professional Alaska nature writer and photographer for 4 decades, I know a good outfit when I see it. Captain and crew faced rough, blustery, foggy conditions, but still put us on a pair of feeding humpbacks, then a mixed group of orcas socializing for a prolonged period. Can't beat that! Top to bottom, the crew was friendly, professional, knowledgeable and respectful to whales and clients alike. Superbly capable vessel expertly handled. All in all, great viewing under tough conditions!--Nick Jans
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the 5-star review, Nick. We’re so glad to hear you had such a rewarding experience on the water, especially in challenging conditions. It means a great deal to receive this kind of feedback from someone with such extensive experience in nature writing and photography.
Thank you for your generous words about the crew, vessel, and overall experience. We hope we can welcome you back aboard again one day for another adventure!
Elyse_B, Jun 2026
It was fantastic, instructions were very helpful in knowing what to expect. Our Captain Richard, and First Mate Taylor made sure we had a safe, smooth ride. Our Naturalists Reid, Michael, and Eden were all very knowledgeable about the wildlife we encountered. They answeredeveryone'squestions well. We went mid-June and saw both orcas and humpback as well as an elephant seal. The trip was beautiful and we had a wonderful time. Viator does a great job facilitating this trip.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Elyse! We're delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic experience and that our pre-tour information helped you know what to expect. It's great to know that Captain Richard, First Mate Taylor, and Naturalists Reid, Michael, and Eden helped make your trip both safe and memorable. Seeing both orcas and humpbacks on the same tour, along with an elephant seal, is truly a special experience! We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to the crew. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another incredible wildlife adventure!
Carol_F, Jun 2026
Captain Lindsay and crew: Francois, Rhiannon, Eden and Janae made this an excellent whale watching trip! We saw multiple whales, one whale fully breeched! The naturalists shared very helpful information. The hot drinks were def welcome. Gorgeous day, we were thrilled to have so many sightings!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Carol! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an incredible day on the water and were able to witness multiple whales including a full breach, what an unforgettable moment! We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Captain Lindsay, Francois, Rhiannon, Eden, and Janae. They’ll be so happy to know they helped make your experience so special. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the naturalists’ insights and the hot drinks as well. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another amazing adventure!
Nicola_E, Jun 2026
Booked through Viator & received an email from the company to confirm our booking plus all the information required for the trip. On the day check in was straightforward. The Captain introduced himself & went over what would be happening through the tour.
The catamaran was clean & in good condition, greeted by the crew & given the safety brief.
Once out of the bay it wasn’t long before we could see 3 humpback whales, Andre gave an amazing brief on the whales & answered any questions guests had. We then moved off to another area & saw a small pod of Orcas. It was such a privilege to see these two sets of whales in their own environment.
We would absolutely recommend this company to anyone wishing to go whale watching. The free photos we received of our morning were excellent.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Nicola! We’re thrilled to hear your experience was smooth from booking through to check-in, and that the captain and crew made you feel welcome and well-informed throughout the tour. It’s fantastic that you were able to see both humpback whales and a pod of orcas! We’re also so glad you enjoyed the insights from Andre and appreciated the onboard experience on our catamaran. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure!
Shilpa_W, Jun 2026
Rhiannon and Janae were amazing!! Looked after us very well. Complimentary hot drinks. Very friendly and professional.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so happy to hear that Rhiannon and Janae took such great care of you and made your experience enjoyable. It’s wonderful that you appreciated the friendly, professional service and the complimentary hot drinks as well. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you aboard again for another great adventure soon!
Edward_W, Jun 2026
Excellent experience. We saw Orca's, seals and a humpback whale. Our Grandchildren really enjoyed it
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your lovely review, Edward! We’re so happy to hear you had an excellent experience and were able to see orcas, seals, and a humpback whale! It’s especially wonderful to hear that your grandchildren enjoyed it as well. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you and your family aboard again in the future!
Sue_O, Jun 2026
Amazing whale watching trip today. Saw lots of humpbacks including mum and calf, including breaching out of the water. Just stunning 🥰. Also saw a sea otter and porpoises on way back to port. With grateful thanks to Captain Lindsey, Taylor, Janae and Reid for finding the whales and all their knowledge. The boat was really comfortable and spacious so everyone got great views and the hot chocolate was pretty good too😋.
🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your great review, Sue! We’re so happy to hear you had such an amazing day on the water and were able to see humpback whales, including a mum and calf, as well as breaching behaviour. It’s also great that you spotted sea otters and porpoises on the way back. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Captain Lindsey, Taylor, Janae, and Reid. They’ll be so happy to know their efforts and knowledge made your trip memorable. We’re glad you found the boat comfortable and enjoyed the hot chocolate as well. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another unforgettable adventure!!
Wendy_N, Jun 2026
What an incredible whale watching experience with Prince of Whales! Captain Lindsey, First Officer Taylor, and crew members Amber, Reid, and Janae were outstanding from start to finish. Their knowledge, professionalism, and enthusiasm made the tour both educational and exciting.
We were fortunate enough to see a family of Biggs orcas, a humpback whale, harbor seals, and sea lions—an unforgettable day on the water! The crew did a fantastic job spotting wildlife, sharing interesting information about the animals, and making sure everyone had a great view while staying comfortable and safe.
You could tell the entire team genuinely loves what they do and cares about providing an exceptional experience. If you’re considering a whale watching tour, I highly recommend Prince of Whales. This was easily one of the highlights of our trip!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Wendy! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an incredible experience with Captain Lindsey, First Officer Taylor, and crew members Amber, Reid, and Janae. It’s fantastic that you were able to see Bigg’s orcas, a humpback whale, harbor seals, and sea lions. We’re especially glad the team’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and care helped make your tour both educational and memorable while keeping you comfortable and safe throughout. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are honoured to have been a highlight of your trip. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another unforgettable adventure!
Ann_Q, Jun 2026
Fantastic time! The crew was friendly, helpful and informative. We also live they gave a bit of distance out of respect to the wildlife, but we were close enough to see a pod of Orcas, multiple Humpback Whales, as well as Sea Lions.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review, Ann! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience and that the crew was friendly, helpful, and informative throughout your tour. It’s wonderful that you were able to see a pod of orcas, multiple humpback whales, and sea lions. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure!
Patrick_C, Jun 2026
The whole experience and crew were great, very knowledgeable and very accommodating.
Lauren, Rhiannon and Andrew were excellent.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic whale watching experience and that you found the crew knowledgeable and accommodating throughout your tour.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope we can welcome you back again for another adventure soon!
audrey_o, Jun 2026
Saw Orcas and humpbacks. Perfect day! Humpbacks were very active. Putting in a show. Saw some breaching behind the boat which was very cool?
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re so happy to hear you had a perfect day on the water and were able to see both orcas and humpback whales. It sounds like the humpbacks put on quite a show, and witnessing breaching whales is always an incredible sight! Thank you for joining us, and we’re so glad you were able to experience such memorable wildlife encounters.
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