Whale-watching in Victoria, British Columbia is one of the most fascinating pursuits to do in western Canada, and something I look forward to undertaking again. The capital of Vancouver Island is a prime location for migrating sea mammals, and there are plenty of whale-watching trips in Victoria to match your budget and schedule preferences. Indeed, Victoria is not only considered one of the finest places for whale viewing in Canada but globally.
Victoria, Canada possesses stunning natural beauty along its coastline, providing the perfect environment for transient orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and other marine life. Witnessing these magnificent creatures in their natural coastal habitat alongside temperate forests in the distance is a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth seeing.
We previously wrote an article covering whale watching tours located within Vancouver City & the surrounding Island but to aid you in choosing the best whale watching trip in Victoria, BC, I’m sharing a few different recommendations. I’ll also tell you the ideal time of year to see whales in Victoria, BC so you can make the most of your visit.
Best Victoria, British Columbia whale watching tours
Below are the top four whale-watching excursions from Victoria, British Columbia. Check out these Victoria, BC whale tours and see which one aligns with your preferences. Whether you want to observe whales for a couple hours or want a full-day tour, I’ve got you covered!
1. Prince of Whales Victoria, the most popular orca-watching tour in Vancouver
Victoria’s Prince of Whales tour offers some of the finest opportunities for watching killer whales in Victoria and also happened to be the excursion we took part in. The excursion lasts a few hours and visits some of the prime locations in Victoria for spotting humpback and killer whales, such as the Salish Sea and Juan de Fuca Strait. Along with an enclosed cabin area, there are also a couple open-air decks to provide panoramic views of the whales.
- Highlights: Killer and humpback whales, seals, bald eagles, and other seabirds
- Starting point: Victoria, BC
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Price: $102
- Description: Board a covered boat to see humpback whales, orcas, seals, and seabirds up close while gaining knowledge from an onboard naturalist. Enjoy prime photographic opportunities from the open-air boat deck.
2. Zodiac whale-watching tour from Victoria, British Columbia
This exciting Victoria zodiac whale-watching expedition is one of the most thrilling ways to observe untamed whales in Canada. The three-hour journey includes hotel pick-up and leaves from the wharf in an open zodiac boat, which can travel more swiftly and get nearer to the whales while preserving a safe distance. Along with seeing transient and resident orcas in Victoria, you may also spot humpbacks, minkes, and grey whales, as well as dolphins and seals.
- Highlights: Orcas, minkes, humpback and grey whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds
- Starting point: Victoria, BC
- Duration: 3 hours
- Price: $125
- Description: Take an exciting boat ride on the Salish Sea to see wild killer whales and several other animal species up close. The 3-hour tour includes free pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Victoria.
3. Sunset orca whale-watching tour in Victoria, Vancouver Island
This highly rated sightseeing boat trip from Victoria, Canada offers a lovely sunset cruise on the Salish Sea. Along with enjoying beautiful scenery and panoramic views, participants will have some of the best opportunities for spotting killer whales in the Victoria area. Taking this day tour, sightings of humpback whales, grey whales and other marine life are also likely to occur.
- Noteworthy sights: Orcas, humpbacks, minkes, grey whales, seals, porpoises, and other marine species
- Starting point: Victoria, BC
- Duration: 3 hours
- Price: $95
- Description: Depart the inner harbor by watercraft and sail into the Salish Sea seeking various whale species, bald eagles, and additional ocean life. Conclude the outing with scenic views of sunset as returning to land.
4. Full-day whale-watching tour from Victoria, Canada
This full-day whale-watching excursion from Victoria, BC offers excellent chances of seeing multiple cetacean types, as well as porpoises and seabirds. Your 8-hour experience will establish a specific route depending on the Victoria whale sightings and projections for the day. You’ll travel to the more exclusive regions with fewer vessels and learn about the local wildlife along the way.
- Highlights: Killer whales, humpbacks, minke and grey whales, seals, Dall’s porpoises, and seabirds.
- Starting point: Victoria, BC
- Duration: 8 hours
- Price: $218
- Description: Travel to the Gulf Islands National Marine Park, a haven for wildlife photographers, stopping at a few smaller islands along the way.
Victoria, BC whale-watching season – Best time to see orcas in Victoria
Knowing when the season for watching whales in Victoria will assist you in planning your trip with the greatest likelihood of viewing marine mammals. However, remember that these are wild animals, so one can never be completely certain of spotting killer whales or other whale types during the tour.
However, all the tour companies we have recommended in this guide will let you repeat the tour for free if you don’t see whales the initial time.
It has been stated that the ideal timeframe to observe killer whales in Victoria is late spring through early fall, specifically May until October. Throughout these months, the waters contain abundant river salmon which attract resident orcas indigenous to the area. Transient orcas, those that prey on smaller mammals, also tend to be present during this time period, so maintain close visual surveillance of the ocean.
If you want to see humpback whales, the best period to whale watch in Victoria, BC is from April to November. However, I suggest reserving a Victoria whale tour between mid-July and October, as this is when you’re most likely to see minkes and grey whales too.
With any luck, you now feel better prepared to make the absolute most of whale season in Victoria, BC! This region is such a magical place for whale-watching, so I know you’ll have an astounding experience. Keep these tips in mind and consider the tours I mentioned to create unforgettable Victoria whale-watching recollections you’ll never forget!
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment here, and I’ll do my best to provide a helpful response. Enjoy your travels!
