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 934 reviews
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!
Zach_M, Apr 2025
Was great saw whales, seals, and sea lions. Instructor was great knew what he was talking about. Would go again.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are so glad you had a wonderful time cruising the waves while taking in the stunning scenery of the Salish Sea and were able to see whales, seals and sea lions along the way! Our expert guides are always happy to share their wealth of knowledge, and we are thrilled you enjoyed learning all about the amazing wildlife you saw on your tour. We hope we will see you aboard again for another exciting adventure!
Aaron_C, Apr 2025
Amazing experience and was so happy to see Orca whales. The captain was able to locate a pod of killer whales soon after arriving to the San Juan Islands.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for this kind review Aaron! We are so pleased to hear that you had such a great day out with Prince Of Whales spotting orcas around the San Juan islands! I hope that the incredible visions of BC's breath-taking landscapes and the thrill of the Zodiac ride stay with you for many years to come. Until next time, keep on adventuring!
Kenneth_B, Mar 2025
Unfortunately, we didn’t see any whales, but the experience was fantastic. Our tour guide and driver, Mark, tried his best and he did a great job pointing out other wildlife available that day. I definitely plan to use my free whale watching trip to try again!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
We are sorry to hear that you were unlucky on your tour and didn't manage to see any whales this time but thank you for leaving such a positive review regardless! We are delighted to hear that our captain Mark did such a fantastic job in finding other wildlife for you to see and we look forward to welcoming you back another day to redeem your whale sighting guarantee!
Kasandra_S, Mar 2025
Great for lovers of the ocean and adventure who can handle the cold weather and choppy waters on a windier day. Enjoyed seeing some marine mammals and eagles. Definitely not for those with motion sickness issues or the faint hearted.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
We are so glad you enjoyed seeing the marine mammals and eagles. This tour is definitely for those that love the ocean, especially in the spring with the cool air and windier days! We hope you can join us again for another exhilarating adventure!
Lina_B, Mar 2025
I loved the tour. The staff was super friendly, and our captain had years of experience and was fantastic. We were lucky enough to see a humpback whale and orcas. I would definitely take a tour with Prince of Whales again.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you Lina! We are so grateful that you have taken the time to leave us with such positive feedback! What an absolute treat to be able to spot both a humpback whale as well as orcas so early in the season! We would love to welcome you back for another exciting adventure with Prince Of Whales!
Genevieve_H, Mar 2025
This was a good experience overall! We got lucky and saw a young humpback. We also saw quite a few seals and sea lions. It was a nice day out on the boat. Definitely not for people who are easily seasick.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are so glad to hear that you had such an amazing time on your tour and managed to see a variety of wildlife, including a juvenile humpback! We would love to invite you back again one day for another whaley exciting tour!
Jose_B, Mar 2025
Bundle up in the winter and early spring time. Water is about 10 degrees cooler than on land. So much fun.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
We are thrilled you had lots of fun with us on your tour! Great reminder to bundle up, it can get really chilly out there early in the season, extra layers make all the difference! We hope we will see you aboard for more captivating adventures!
Michael_N, Mar 2025
Experience was descent. We saw no Orcas on our trip, which is not the fault of the company. It’s always luck of the draw. We did see 1 humpback whale, and seals. And a bald eagle.
The reason I gave this 3/5 stars was for a very unnecessary comment made by the captain regarding my friend being “ the biggest person they’ve had on the boat.” Incredibly unprofessional, and unnecessary. Also, the seat configuration on the zodiac made it quite difficult to see anything facing forward if seated in the back row. I had to sit on top of the seat back while at an idle to see over those in front.
Aside from the captain, everyone was very friendly and personable. I think with a different captain, this would have easily been a 10/5 ! Hope to come back and try again.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Michael, we are very sorry to hear of the experience that yourself and your friend had with our captain, and we would like to be able to look into this further. If you would be able to email us at info@princeofwhales.com with your booking information, we would appreciate it. We are so glad you were able to enjoy seeing the majestic humpback whale on your tour, though as mentioned, the whales are wild animals and though we always hope to see orcas, we cannot guarantee what whales we will see. During the tour, our guides will try to position the boat for viewing, but they do also have to maintain all safety precautions for the whales as well, we are sorry to hear that the viewing was difficult during your trip. We do hope that you will visit us again.
From $154.05
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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