Summer Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel
Recommended by 90% of travelers
Victoria, Canada
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Indoor and outdoor viewing areas set this Victoria whale-watching tour apart from its competitors. Travel in luxury and style as you look out for whales in their natural environment in the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits: some of the best whale-watching regions around. Other sightings may include marine birds, seals, and sea lions, making this the ideal way to see more of the region's wealth of wildlife. Gratuities are not included.
- Have the best chance of spotting whales and other aquatic life
- Travel aboard a covered vessel with indoor and outdoor viewing areas
- On-board drinks and snacks are available for purchase
- Choice of morning or afternoon departure
What's Included
- Driver/guide
- Professional guide
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 146 Kingston St, Victoria, BC V8V 1V4, Canada
Please come down to the Marina Level of the Coast Hotel & Marina by APA.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
146 Kingston St
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Operates rain or shine, please dress appropriately
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 75 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
Jalin_G
The whole trip was amazing. Our guides Jake, Sophie & Ryan were awesome. They were very knowledgeable, entertaining and clearly loved what they do. On our trip we saw 2 Humpbacks, several pods of Orcas, Sea Lions and a Sea Otter. I highly recommend this tour and you will enjoy it even more if Jake, Sophie & Ryan are your tour guides.
Reviews
4.6
based on 546 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Susan_T, Aug 2026
There should be a warning to customers about this trip, because anyone with a back issue should not book this trip. It was the most uncomfortable boat trip I have ever been on. The boat was very small and seemed overcrowded.
Joy_M, Aug 2026
Very fun and worth it! It’s 3 hours long, but the time went fast. It can get windy on deck- bring layers!
Marjorie_K, Jul 2026
The guides and the boat driver were amazing. The guides even took pictures of all the things we saw and sent them to us. We saw Wales, sea lions, and Eagles. We saw a lot of whales. It was a really great experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your awesome review! We will be sure to pass on your kind words to the crew. It sounds like you saw lots of amazing wildlife on your tour, and we hope this experience will be something you remember for years to come!
Anthony_H, Jul 2026
Staff were very friendly, insightful, funny, helpful. Saw Orca's, humpback, sea lion, seals. Great trip, great entertainment.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind review! Our staff are really passionate about what they do, and we're glad their personalities and knowledge made this trip so great for you. Thanks for joining us out on the water!
Robert_C, Jun 2026
Great experience!! My goal was to see Orcas, we accomplished that within the first 45 minutes of the tour. We were able to follow a pod of 5 orcas for about 20 minutes. Our naturalist on board was Liam, he cracked me up. He answered all of our questions, no matter how dumb, and gave us really great information about all the different types of animals and fish we may see. We also saw a humpback whale, harbor seals with a baby, and an elephant seal. Once we saw the orcas, to me, everything else was gravy. They also provide you with professional pictures taken by their staff on your tour at no additional charge!!!! This is great customer service, it let us focus on seeing things with our eyes instead of through a stupid cell phone camera.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello, thank you for your kind review! We're so happy to hear you were able to achieve your goal of seeing orcas, along with lots of other marine life!
Thank you for your kind words about Liam, we will be sure to pass this along to him.
Thanks again for joining us, and we hope the pictures taken onboard serve as a reminder of your awesome trip!
Jim_H, Jun 2026
Our tour of three hours was to begin at 2:00 .They delayed the start to 3:00 .we had to be back at the ship by 5:00 .We couldn't go because we would not get back until 6:00. I want a full refund for my party of 6. I did not have anything to do with the delay .
Regards Robert Lovenson
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Robert, we understand your frustration and appreciate the opportunity to clarify what happened.
Unfortunately, the tour start time had to be changed, and we notified all affected guests in advance via email. We didn't receive a response from you, so we weren't aware that the revised time would conflict with your cruise schedule.
That said, we understand how disappointing this situation was, and we've reached out to Viator to issue a full refund. As you booked the tour through Viator, this refund process can take some time. Please keep an eye out for messages from Viator regarding this. We appreciate your patience and hope we can resolve this for you promptly.
Suzanne_D, May 2026
Saw two different orca pods and a humpback whale. Racing back to port was a bit bumpy but worth it. Had a great experience with Tash and Jake as our guides. Definitely recommend!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share this!
It is great to hear that your time on the water felt so rewarding and that you were able to observe both orcas and a humpback whale during your trip. Encounters like that in the wild are always memorable.
We are also glad Tash and Jake helped guide the experience and that their knowledge and presence added to your time out on the water.
Thank you for joining us and for your recommendation! 🐋
Ronald_H, May 2026
Knowledgeable and friendly crew, safe and spacious boat and free drinks available! Sadly despite searching a huge area no whales found, perhaps too early in the migration season. However, other wildlife was seen. Thoroughly enjoyable excursion nonetheless, just missing the magic ingredient!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re glad to hear the crew left a positive impression and that you felt comfortable and well cared for on board.
We’re sorry that you were not able to observe any whales on your tour. Our team spends the trip actively searching across the Salish Sea, and while sightings are never guaranteed, we always hope to share those special moments with our guests.
It’s good to hear you were still able to enjoy other wildlife along the way. We really appreciate you joining us!
Keith_c, May 2026
Wow what an absolute shambles experience seeing the Orcas in their natural environment. OK the poor sea lion didn't enjoy it as he was their dinner but what a spectacle. The team, from the receptionist girls to the boat driver , and Catherine and Jake the guides were superb.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! It sounds like you had a powerful and memorable time out on the water, witnessing such a dynamic moment in the natural environment.
We’re glad to hear the whole team, from our reception staff through to our naturalists, and vessel crew, helped support your day and added to your experience with their knowledge and care.
We appreciate you joining us and taking the time to leave a review
Drew_J, Apr 2026
There are many options for Whale Watching. I was very happy to choose this tour. (value for money). All the staff from the front desk check in to the boat were very friendly and knowledgable. Took the morning run. Had great weather. Easy walking distance from downtown. Less than 15 minutes from the Empress. Sign at end of driveway on Kingston Street.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Drew,
Thank you for sharing this review! It’s great to hear your morning on the water was such a positive experience for you.
We’re also pleased that the experience felt well supported from check in through to the time on the boat, and that the team’s friendliness and knowledge stood out throughout your visit.
We appreciate you joining us and taking the time to share your thoughts! 🐋
andrea_k, Apr 2026
Jake and Gordon were friendly and knowledgeable about what we were seeing. The process was effortless and easy.
We originally went to the wrong
Location because they have two in Victoria, so double check the address
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear Jake and Gordon helped make the outing smooth and enjoyable, and that their knowledge added to what you were seeing on the water.
We’re happy you joined us and took the time to leave a review 🐋
Diego_E, Apr 2026
It’s good for fun and to get time with family too, the crew are funny and very helpful with the information of the whales
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear the trip felt like a fun way to spend time together as a family and that the crew helped make the experience both enjoyable and informative.
We appreciate you joining us and taking the time to leave a review!
richard_l, Apr 2026
Great trip, very fulfilling to see these enormous creatures in their natural habitat. Also managed to spot and photo a bald eagle on one of the islands on our return to. Victoria.
Great, knowledgeable captain and well connected whale spotting community here seemed to spread the word where a pod of orcas were hence I feel it’s quite likely people would be as lucky as us and get to see a pod of 10 orcas enjoying themselves up close.
Thoroughly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing this! It’s wonderful to hear your time on the water felt so rewarding, especially spending time observing orcas in their natural environment.
We really appreciate your recommendation and thank you for joining us!
Rui_M, Oct 2025
Went with my partner for our anniversary trip! Jake and Ryan were very knowledgeable and passionate guides for the tour. They were also very humorous and a joy to have with us. We were able to see a bald eagle, a pair of sea otters named Waldo and Ollie, a bunch of sea lions, and also three humpback whales on the trip!
DONNA_O, Oct 2025
Completely satisfied! Took the covered boat with an upper deck vs. the Kodiaks. Was worried because after I purchased it, some said the whale sightings don’t happen as often for the larger boats…BOY…were they wrong. Also, you get personal service from the knowledgeable crew on whale behavior; health and overall marine care. These guys (Ryan & Jake) made it that much more exciting!
We had a “whale mugging”…means the engines are turned off because of the curiosity of a whale around our boat made us linger longer for as long as the creature wanted us to stay. The crew were even excited because they said it’s rare. They also said the fall time is when the whales are full and playful. They’ve spent the spring and summer feeding and will head back to warmer waters soon.
We didn’t see orca, but had the pleasure of meeting a humpback up close.
Highly recommend this trip!
Joan_F, Sep 2025
We saw a lot of hump back whales !!! Gordon and Briar did an outstanding job of finding them. Briar did a great job informing us about marine life, whales and the eco systems! It was very interesting and informative!
Edward_D, Sep 2025
Olivia, Ryan and Capt Ed were great. They were extremely knowledgeable and worked very hard to make everyone relaxed, pointed out the hump back whales and to have a wonderful experience.
Phil_G, Sep 2025
Layer up as it was chilly -but worth it. Liam and Ryan were helpful, knowledgeable and informative. We were fortunate that a humpback swam very close to the boat and surfaced. In addition to humpbacks we saw sea lions, a shoal of krill and sea birds. A really good trip.
Melissa_K, Sep 2025
We had a nice day whale watching in Victoria! The boat was the perfect amount of time and our guides were informative. We saw humpbacks, orcas, porpoises, and sea lions
Kristen_L, Sep 2025
The naturalists were informative. Great whale sightings. Well worth the expense and would recommend.
Anabel_D, Aug 2025
Amazing experience with great explanation by marine biologists. We had the chance to add see the full tail of the humpback whale, multiple killer whales, sea lions! It's great that the guide also take the pictures and will send them for free. So we can full appreciate without taking pictures.
We left around 2 pm and came back at 5:10 pm. A must do. Small upper deck with only 10 persons allowed so be the first to board if you want the upper deck. Careful it's quite cold on the upper deck, coat, hat, gloves, scarf are needed.
Gwen_S, Aug 2025
Skilled, knowledgeable, and engaging crew. Well organized experience. Awesome tour company for whale watching
Laurie_B, Aug 2025
This was by far the most amazing whale watching trip I have ever experienced! 2 whales swam under and around our boat for over an hour Liam snapped the most spectacular photos and posted them as soon as we left the boat!!!!! The photos were free. He knew fascinating facts and taught us so much.
Tasha_H, Aug 2025
The service was top notch and the crew was great. The issue we had was everybody on top pretty much got soaked they did tell you that there's a possibility of getting wet. Thank God my friend and I went down below. We went yesterday on August 13th and we didn't really see much whale I think we saw two. The crew was great and had lots of knowledge to share.
Jacquie_S, Aug 2025
Don't be fooled by the name. We spent ages looking for this place and then decided to go into Orca Spirit Adventures who told us we were in the right place. We also weren't aware of just how far away it was from the cruise ship, so would advise getting a cab.
However, despite missing our original trip we were quickly offered a replacement trip for the afternoon which we accepted.
The trip itself was great. Captain George, Bria and Rhyan were very knowledgeable . Captain George took us to all the places, whales and orcas were sited. We had a brilliant encounter with a pod of orcas, it was amazing.
All in all despite the trip not starting off very well it turned out to be a very good day and one we would definitely recommend.
Darren_H, Aug 2025
Great crew, with lots of knowledge about whales and other sea creatures. They were so enthusiastic when we saw sea creatures which made the trip more fun
Cindy_A, Aug 2025
Please bring gloves hat an a coat. It was so cold. They should definitely tell u when u book the trip. But so worth.
Sara_D, Jul 2025
Super amazing crew and great whale watching experience! Saw Orcas and a humpback! Outstanding time had by all, even me and I was sea sick
Jessica_r, Jul 2025
Great experience. We got to see orcas and a hump back whale. Definitely a must do, great group of folks.
Emily_F, Jul 2025
It was a great trip and we saw whales which was really exciting. The crew members were really friendly and me and my mom were really happy with the whole trip.
What I would recommend is to bring a water resistant jacket because you can get really wet on top of the boat.
From $133.90
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Summer Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel
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