Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Victoria, Canada
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Spot native marine wildlife in British Columbia’s waters—and enjoy a more personalized travel experience—on a small-group whale-watching tour from Victoria. Grab an all-weather flotation suit, hop aboard your open-top Zodiac boat in Victoria Harbour, and set off. Your vessel is built for stability, and remains buoyant even in rough seas. As you go, watch for humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas, and soak up the dramatic scenery.
- This small-group tour is more intimate than most whale-watching trips
- Choose from several departure times to suit your schedule
- Whale-sighting guarantee lets you rebook if you don't see whales
- An all-weather flotation suit is provided for your safety and comfort
What's Included
- Whale and marine life watching tour on a 12-passenger open-aired zodiac boat
- Expert Guide/Skipper
- All-weather exposure flotation suits
- Whale Sightings Guarantee—complimentary tours from all locations until you see whales (fees apply).
- $5 per person Salish Sea Conservation Fee (1% For The Planet Initiative) is included in price
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Excludes taxes and fees for Lifetime Whale Sighting Guarantee
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada
Lower causeway
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Prince Of Whales - Whale Watching Adventures
1 minute • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not suitable for participants with back or neck problems, pregnant women, participants with recent surgeries
- There is a minimum passenger height restriction of 4ft (120cm) and 50 lbs (23kg)
- Each passenger is required to sign a Release of Liability at check in. Participants must be 19 years of age, or require a parent or guardian to sign on their behalf
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date/time/vessel or full refund
- 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 12 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
Lisa_D
A 3 hour zodiac ride to find whales was amazing. It took a while to see whales but we did see whales. Gary our guide was great. It was so fun. Would definitely do it again.
Reviews
4.8
based on 997 reviews
Peggy_E, Jul 2026
It was a chilly day, but our guide found some whales. It was very cool to see them so close. She had great stories and was very relatable. I was impressed by the safety consciousness of the entire business. I'd do it again.
Stacey_A, Jul 2026
Absolutely the highlight of our trip! Michael our guide was super knowledgeable, just full of great info.
Saw so many whales we lost count.
Highly recommend this tour on the zodiac boat
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your 5-star review, Stacey! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Michael and learned more about the amazing wildlife around Victoria while seeing some whales! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Melissa_D, Jul 2026
Seeing both orcas and humpback whales in the wild was an incredible experience and something I'll never forget. The captain was clearly skilled at locating whales and for that I'm very grateful.
The morning of the tour, my son woke up severely ill and was not able to participate. My husband stayed behind to take care of our son. I contacted the tour to see if there was any flexibility with refunds/cancellations and was disappointed by the company's lack of flexibility regarding our cancellation request. While I respect that policies are in place for a reason, it was still a disappointing start to the experience, especially once we arrived and saw that only two other passengers were participating, so clearly this was not a sold out excursion where our reservation prevented others from booking.
I also think it's important for prospective guests to understand just how physically demanding this tour can be. I expected a fast Zodiac ride, but I did not anticipate how rough it would be. We encountered cold rain, heavy spray, and repeated hard impacts as the boat came down on the waves. Even wearing multiple layers and appropriate gear, we were soaked and extremely cold. Anyone with back, neck, joint, or mobility issues- or anyone prone to motion sickness or injury- should think carefully before booking this particular tour and probably choose something else.
My biggest concern, however, was the return to port. We arrived approximately 30 minutes later than scheduled. As cruise passengers, that turned what should have been a comfortable return to the ship into a very stressful rush requiring an unexpected taxi. Throughout the delay, communication felt casual. When I asked whether we were on track to return on time, I was initially told yes, and only later told we were running behind, without much apparent concern about the impact on guests trying to make it back to their ship.
I also would have appreciated more engagement with guests throughout the tour. Aside from a brief "You okay?" near the end after hours in rough conditions, there wasn't much interaction. It often felt as though the captain was more focused on photographing the whales than on the guest experience. Since he was taking many professional-quality photos, it also would have been a wonderful gesture to share a few with guests afterward, but there was no offer to do so. I messaged the company after the tour and my message went unanswered.
Overall, this tour delivered excellent whale sightings and for that, I'm genuinely thankful. However, the customer service before and during the tour, the unexpectedly punishing ride, and the late return prevented it from being the outstanding experience it could have been.
Rebekah_C, Jun 2026
We had some rough seas that made our ride a little wild but our guide did a great job navigating. He was regularly checking in with passengers and did a great job telling us about what we saw. No or a sightings unfortunately but it was the ride of a lifetime.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your review, Rebekah!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your zodiac adventure, even with some rougher sea conditions. Our guides always prioritize guest safety and comfort, so it's wonderful to know that their care, communication, and interpretation helped make the experience enjoyable throughout the trip.
While we're sorry to hear that the orcas didn't make an appearance that day, we're glad the adventure itself was memorable and that you still had such a great time on the water.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another wildlife adventure in the future!
Darren_H, Jun 2026
Mark was an amazing tour guide and zodiac driver. We saw lots of whale and Mark was very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your review, Darren!
We're so glad to hear you had a great time on your zodiac adventure and that you were able to see lots of whales. It's wonderful to know that your guide's knowledge and enthusiasm helped make the experience even more enjoyable.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another wildlife adventure in the future!
Bonnie_L, Jun 2026
It was a great experience! We had seen some orca's, humpback whales, and sea lions! Thank you to Michael for being an excellent guide and for teaching us about the mammals and for the stories that he shared with us. He just made the trip more memorable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review, Bonnie! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and were able to see orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions. That is an incredible day on the water! We really appreciate your kind words about Michael, and we’re so glad his knowledge and storytelling helped make your trip even more memorable. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another amazing adventure!
Jamie_M, Jun 2026
By far the best whale watching tour. Our captain was very knowledgeable and patient. He would get us as close as safely to see the whales.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience and that our captain’s knowledge and patience helped make your tour so memorable. It’s great to know you were able to enjoy close encounters with the whales while staying safe. We really appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure!
Purvi_V, May 2026
We had amazing weather at the end of May, so the boat was extremely enjoyable.
Staff and our captain at the Prince of Whales were kind and helpful. We saw a few bald eagles, sea lions, seals, and even got very close enough to a pod of orcas to hear them breathe out their spout when they can l came to the surface!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for leaving such a lovely review! We’re really glad to hear you had such amazing weather and that it made your zodiac adventure even more enjoyable.
It’s wonderful that you were able to see so much wildlife—from bald eagles, sea lions, and seals to that unforgettable moment, being so close to a pod of orcas and hearing them breathe at the surface!
We really appreciate you joining us, and we’d love to welcome you back again for another adventure soon!
Linda_E, May 2026
We saw whales. The guys on the boat were great. A little trouble getting into the suits but they really help you
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks for sharing your experience! We're glad you got to see whales and that the crew made the trip enjoyable. We appreciate the note about the suits too, our team is always happy to help guests get comfortable and ready to go. Hope to see you out on the water again soon!
Shana_G, Apr 2026
Excellent tour. Saw Orcas, Bald Eagles, Sea Lions and island with goats and deer. Saw sea planes landing as we headed back. Zodiac boat ride was great!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We’re so glad you had an excellent experience and were able to see such a wide variety of wildlife along the way. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the Zodiac ride as well. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Rochelle_P, Apr 2026
Amazing experience. We got to see the T99 orcas in action. Gary was a wealth of knowledge on our tour. Hands down made my vacation ❤️ must go! Dress warm.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for the amazing review! We’re so glad you had such a memorable experience, seeing the T99 orcas in action is truly something special.
Gary will be thrilled to hear your kind words. His knowledge and passion really do make a difference, and it’s great to know he helped make your trip such a highlight of your vacation.
And yes, dressing warm is always a great tip out on the water! Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon
Gwendolyn_M, Mar 2026
This tour felt like an adventure, we saw amazing, beautiful whales and our guide also showed us seals and other animals. We really enjoyed it! Our only recommendation would be to dress warm to fully enjoy it. They do supply you with a wet suit, gloves and toque but wear some under layers.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the marvelous review! We are so delighted to hear of your fantastic experience exploring the Salish Sea with us! It is truly an adventure to experience seeing the beautiful whales and adorable seals. It is definitely recommended to bundle up, especially in the Spring as it can be quite cool on the water. The survival suit, gloves and toque are a big help but layers are a must! We hope we will get to welcome you back again for another exciting excursion!
Sam_W, Oct 2025
It was excellent and everyone was super helpful! Easy to navigate, useful guide to information and payment. It was a spontaneous trip which was wonderful x
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing your lovely feedback, Sam! We're so happy to hear everything was easy to navigate and that our team was helpful along the way. It’s wonderful to know your spontaneous adventure turned into such a great experience. We can't wait to welcome you back for another adventure!
Lydian_a, Oct 2025
Great viewing from the open boat. Very knowledgeable guide (Gary) gave us lots of relevant, local info about Orcas.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for this lovely review and for placing your trust in Prince Of Whales for this adventure! Gary will be thrilled to hear that your trip was such a success and we hope your memories will last a lifetime!
Kim_H, Sep 2025
We had an incredible me time on the zodiac. It was unforgettable.
The highlight was seeing the pair of orcas gliding through the water near the shore as they made their way further out. Watching them in their own habitat was humbling -they were so close, it was surreal. At one point, we all thought a nearby harbor seal was going to become lunch but he wasn’t spotted and lived another day.
There were several sea lions on some rocky outcrops I wish we had spent a few minutes with. I know it’s a whale watch but these guys were beautiful and impressive to see and hear.
We had a treat on the way back and got to see a Minke whale too.
If you want adventure, suit up, jump in, sit back and hang on (especially if you are lucky enough to get the front). This is a fun way to view the ocean up close and if you are lucky you might catch some air as the boat slaps the waves.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience! We're thrilled to hear that your Zodiac tour was unforgettable. Sounds like that harbor seal had a lucky day, too! Spotting a Minke whale on the way back was the perfect bonus to an already amazing day! Thanks for capturing the spirit of the adventure so well, from the wildlife to the thrill of the ride. We hope to welcome you aboard again for another wild and wonderful ocean experience!
Wendy_E, Sep 2025
So much fun! Exhilarating! Sorry can’t rambler guides name😬but she was very nice and kept us informed at all times. It was a bit windy and so choppy,but she handled with ease and even made it fun. The six young ladies from Ireland had a blast and it was infectious. Saw whales, otter, and seals and sea lions. Beautiful day!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you had such a fun and exhilarating time on the water. Even with the wind and choppy seas, it’s great to hear that your guide kept things smooth, safe, and entertaining throughout the trip. We’re thrilled you got to see whales, otters, seals, and sea lions on such a beautiful day. Hope to see you again soon!
Stephanie_G, Sep 2025
The crew were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and friendly…. with Megan, Reid and Michael keeping us fully informed about the whales and other wildlife.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that Megan, Reid, and Michael made your experience so informative and enjoyable. Our crew takes great pride in sharing their knowledge and creating a welcoming atmosphere for our guests. We’ll be sure to pass along your lovely feedback to them, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Martin_C, Sep 2025
Worth the ride! Fun 3 hours on the water. The zodiac wasn’t terribly uncomfortable. Our Captain provided a safe experience and found the whales, sea lions, and a seal or two!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your great review! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your time on the water and that the ride was both fun and comfortable. It’s always exciting to spot whales, sea lions, and seals, and we're happy our captain could help make that happen while keeping things safe and enjoyable. We hope to see you again for another adventure soon!
Angela_P, Sep 2025
Our guide was Raj. We had a wonderfull time on the zodiac. We saw a lot of humpbacks, sea lions, a pelican, orka's and a black bear walking down the cost. Raj was very informative! Great experience!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the amazing review! What a spectacular day on the water, especially with the extra special sighting of a black bear on the shore and even a pelican! Raj will be so thrilled you enjoyed learning all about the whales you saw on your adventure. We hope we will get to welcome you back for more enchanting excursions!
Judith_D, Sep 2025
Well organised zodiac trip with enthusiastic and knowledgeable Captain George.
We spotted humpbacks, close to the vessel, killer whales and sea lions hunting fish.
George shared his photos with the group.
A highlight of our holiday.
Easy to find starting point, close to the Express Hotel / Tourist Office and 100 yards from shuttle bus drop off point.
Thank you.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for the marvelous review! We are so delighted you had a whale of a time with George, seeing both the majestic humpback whales and the striking orcas, and even the rambunctious sea lions hunting fish amongst the waves, what a joy to see! We are thrilled we could be a highlight of your holiday and hope we can welcome you back aboard again one day for another captivating excursion!
Julie_B, Aug 2025
A thrilling adventure and very worthwhile. Appreciated the suits, hats, gloves that kept us warm. A wonderful view of orcas and humpback whales. The sea lions were very entertaining. Mark, our captain, was very engaging and informative about these magnificent creatures.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! It can definitely feel quite chilly on the water, so bundling up is always recommended. The hats and gloves can sure make a difference, and extra layers under the suit are always a plus as well! What a thrill to see both orcas and the majestic humpback whales on your adventure, and the rambunctious sea lions are such a joy to watch playing along the islets. Mark will be so delighted you enjoyed absorbing all the knowledge he had to share on your adventure, and we hope we will get to welcome you back for more exhilarating excursions!
Jennifer_H, Aug 2025
What a great experience. If you headed to Victoria, take the time to see the whales. Our captain was well connected and got tips from ferry boat captains and other sources regarding where to see some whales. We saw 2 pods of Orcas and a humpback whale. He took us to see seals. They were not only lounging on the rocks but in the water near us. Wear sunscreen.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
We’re so glad you had such a memorable trip and got to see both orca pods, a humpback, and seals up close. Our captains always do their best to stay connected and find the best wildlife viewing opportunities, so it’s wonderful to hear that made a difference for your tour. Great tip about the sunscreen too, it’s easy to forget out on the water!
Christy_Y, Aug 2025
Loved it. Very fast Zodiac! Extremely knowledgeable Captain. Saw lots of beautiful Orcas, Humpbacks, seals, and otters. Thankful for the warm suits they gave us to wear.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for leaving us a 5 star review! We are glad you could enjoy the Zodiac tour and see so many different animals! Thank you for choosing Prince of Whales.
Mark_G, Jul 2025
Great morning out on the Pacific Ocean. Captain George is the topman, knowledgeable and informative; we saw killer whales, a humpback whale, sea lions and even a sea otter. Had a really fun time.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks so much for your review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a fun morning out on the water with Captain George, sounds like an incredible lineup of wildlife sightings! Killer whales, a humpback, sea lions, and a sea otter all in one trip is pretty special. We hope you'll join us again for another adventure soon!
Michelle_C, Jul 2025
We had such a fun time!! Gary was our guide and he was very nice and helped us spot orcas and other whales! Highly recommend this tour over the catamaran if you want a true ‘on the water’ more intimate experience - we were jumping waves and feeling the ocean spray! It was a blast!!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome experience! We’re thrilled to hear Gary made your trip extra special and helped you spot those amazing orcas and whales. Sounds like the zodiac’s splash and wave-jumping gave you the true “on the water” adventure vibe! We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another thrilling outing soon!
Leigh_N, Jul 2025
I went with this tour group because the boat is at boat level. It was hard to find whales in the afternoon. If i were to do it again, I would choose the whale company on the Wharf on the larger boat that everyone stills low on water.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for joining us for your whale watching tour. We are sorry to hear that you felt underwhelmed by the adventure. We hold our tours to a high level of quality and it's disappointing to know that we missed the mark for you on this one. We would love to welcome you back to join one of our larger boat tours one day as it sounds like this activity would be better suited to your needs. Thank you for your feedback and we hope that your time is filled with more adventures and great experiences.
Bruce_T, Jun 2025
Had a great time! The boat was exciting but safe. Capt. Gary tracked down a pod of orcas and some humpbacks as well.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for the kind words! We're so glad you had a great time out on the water. Captain Gary always does his best to find wildlife, and it sounds like it paid off with both orcas and humpbacks, what a day! Hope to see you out again soon for another adventure.
Joanne_F, May 2025
Words can’t express how amazing this experience was. Gary was informative about all the animals and the wildlife. We saw humpbacks, orcas, seals, cormorants and a bald eagle. Can’t thank him enough for fulfilling a life’s dream I have waited 40 years to fulfil. Loved it!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful review, it truly means the world to us. We're honoured to have been part of such a meaningful moment for you. Gary will be incredibly touched to hear he helped make a 40-year dream come true. Seeing that much incredible wildlife in one trip is unforgettable, and we’re so glad you loved every minute. We hope to welcome you back again someday for more amazing memories!
Noelle_P, May 2025
Our guide Mark was amazing and so informative! We got a whale to come right up to our boat. So lucky!! We saw a lot.
Response from Host, May 2025
We're so glad to hear you had such an amazing experience with Mark as your guide. What a special moment to have a whale come right up to the boat, lucky indeed! We’re thrilled you had the chance to see so much, and we hope to welcome you back for even more incredible wildlife encounters soon!
Lisa_D, Apr 2025
A 3 hour zodiac ride to find whales was amazing. It took a while to see whales but we did see whales. Gary our guide was great. It was so fun. Would definitely do it again.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for this lovely review Lisa! We are so pleased to hear that Gary was able to find some whales for you to observe and we hope that you enjoyed the thrill of the Zodiac boat too! We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
From $147.49
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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