British Columbia is renowned as one of the world’s premier whale watching destinations, with Vancouver serving as an ideal starting point for summer excursions. Visitors can embark on whale watching tours from downtown or nearby suburbs, including those close to Vancouver International Airport. Connecting with a local tour operator is essential to ensure a memorable whale watching experience in Vancouver, BC.

Whale Watching Seasons

Vancouver, British Columbia, offers an exceptional opportunity to see whales from March to October when thousands of these majestic mammals migrate through the coastal waters. This period provides the chance to spot resident and transient orcas, as well as humpback, gray, and minke whales. Although migration patterns can vary, resident pods consistently appear, while transient whales pass through the area regularly.

Types of Whales

Among the highlights of whale watching in this region are the striking black and white orcas, also known as killer whales. Vancouver Island hosts a resident pod of nearly 100 orcas along with smaller transient pods traveling from Baja to Alaska. The peak season to see the southern resident orcas, who are commonly observed feeding on salmon, spans from May to October in the Gulf Islands and Strait of Georgia near Vancouver. As summer progresses, the northern resident orcas can be spotted in the Johnstone Strait.

The Pacific waters surrounding Vancouver are also home to an array of marine life, including seals, dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds like tufted puffins and nesting bald eagles.

Types of Whale Watching Trips

Whale watching tours vary in style, from high-speed zodiac excursions equipped with survival suits to larger covered vessels that can accommodate more passengers and travel at a leisurely pace. Alternative options like kayak trips and seaplane adventures, or even the BC Ferry ride to Victoria, offer unique perspectives for observing whales and other wildlife.

When selecting a tour, consider your fitness level and comfort with the type of boat. During wildlife viewings, high-speed zodiacs enable quick maneuvering but provide a bumpier ride, as regulations mandate that all boats remain at least 100 meters away from whales and 200 meters away from orcas.

What To Expect

Before departure, participants receive a safety briefing and are outfitted with life jackets or survival suits. Captains provide insights about the vessel. Most outings are scheduled for three to five hours, often progressing towards Victoria on Vancouver Island. Many tour providers offer complimentary re-boarding if no whales are spotted. Additionally, even fast jet boats typically include restroom facilities. Inquire about accessibility options with your chosen tour provider.

Where To Leave From

Convenient departure points include Granville Island and Coal Harbour, which are easily accessible for downtown visitors. Alternatively, departing from Horseshoe Bay or Steveston can yield longer whale-spotting opportunities, although this may result in fewer scenic views of the city en route to the Strait of Georgia.

Tour Providers

Wild Whales offers tours departing from Granville Island. Founded in 2003 by fisherman Roger Obayashi, these tours utilize jet-propelled boats for close encounters with whales and other marine wildlife. Prince of Whales is a well-known provider in the region, with operations based in the Westin Bayshore hotel in Coal Harbour and a secondary location in Victoria. This company features larger boats, perfect for those seeking covered options with ample viewing space. Whale watching tours can also be combined with day excursions to Victoria or Seattle.

Steveston Seabreeze Adventures, located near Richmond and Vancouver International Airport, operates from the quaint village of Steveston. Positioned near the confluence of the Fraser River and the Pacific Ocean, this tour provider boasts a 95 percent success rate in spotting whales, with boats offering both indoor and outdoor viewing areas.