Victoria Tours
Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria
5

Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

By Prince of Whales - Whale Watching Adventures
Recommended by 98% of travelers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 95 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Free photo package of your trip & wildlife, with personal photos of you and your loved ones
  • Two washrooms
  • Lifetime Whale Sightings Guarantee - new free tour from Vancouver or Victoria until you see whales!
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • 5 per person Salish Sea Conservation Fee (1% For The Planet Initiative) is included in price
  • Downloadable tour guides in: English, Spanish, French, German and Dutch
  • Kids coloring books and educational guides
  • Captain and expert crew of 3-4 guides/naturalists
  • Complimentary tea, coffee & hot chocolate
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Excludes taxes and fees for Lifetime Whale Sighting Guarantee


Start:
  • 812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada
    Please check-in 30 minutes prior to departure time at Prince of Whales Whale Watching located below the Visitor Information Centre in the Inner Harbour (812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3).
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Infants must sit on laps
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5882P7

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travelers can participate
    • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, an alternative or full refund will be offered
    • Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately
    • Service animals allowed with proper documentation and life jacket, subject to captain's discretion
    • Check-in 30 minutes prior to the departure time
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 95 travelers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5882P7

    From
    $155.40
    per adult
    Select date and travelers

    Similar experiences

    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • T1405ITnickyg
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing experience
      We saw so many humpback whales, seals, sea lions and an otter! The zodiac was amazing to be so close to the water and the whales, we had a great time!
      Written October 24, 2024
    • Getaway377499
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Breathtaking
      Great tour guide with a lot of knowledge about the area, whales and other wildlife’s. Amazing view! Easy booking 10/10 recommend!
      Written October 15, 2024
    • eatrunsail
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Definitely would recommend this tour
      Fabulous adventure! Saw humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, seals, eagles,,. Lots of room on the catamaran to move around and great viewing areas as well as indoor areas too. Crew were knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and even entertaining.
      Written October 14, 2024
    • Q9875QHmiked
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Whales, Sunsets, Nice evening on the water
      The whale watching tour was as good as you could’ve asked for. We saw many whales and got some amazing pictures provided by the crew. Was nice to be able to see both Orca’s and Humpback’s. We also got to see, and unfortunately smell, both seals and sea lions. All part of the experience, I guess. The opportunities to take pictures of the sunset, on the water, are worth the price of admission. The captain and crew were very knowledgeable. Sandy, Jamie, Algebra, Francois, and Michael were the best crew I could’ve asked for. Do yourself a favour, and go have a blast on this tour.
      Written October 11, 2024
    • timmC3793TE
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A great day
      Our tour with Mark was fantastic. We saw humpback, orcas, seals sealing and varies birds. Hecreally pushed the boat out
      Written October 10, 2024
    • Trail53283189444
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful experience!!
      The trip was amazing! One of the best value things I’ve ever done. Saw lots of whales - both humpback and orca as well as sea lions and seals! Mark and Rochelle were incredible hosts and ensured the trip was informative, fun and rewarding. Would definitely recommend!
      Written October 10, 2024
    • lisafW95TW
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Unbelievable experience
      Absolutely incredible, breath taking, felt like a dream! Mark was awesome and thanks to the team very much. Amazing morning.
      Written October 4, 2024
    • Odyssey64442606240
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wow!!!!!
      So glad we done this trip as it was truly amazing !!!! The views and the knowledge off are guide Marc was outstanding we got to see orcas, humpbacks and killer whales and sea lions it was just WOW couldn’t recommend this tour enough don’t hesitate in booking it !!!🥰
      Written October 4, 2024
    • Ray B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A genuine once in a lifetime experience
      Mark guided us in a zodiac out to look for whales. And did he deliver!!! An entree of seals followed by the elegance of seeing a hump back whale as it fed, showing us the classic tail fin as it dived again and again. He then took us to see Orca families making their way down the channel, culminating in a scene we did not expect. Eight plus Orca attacking a sea lion. This was extraordinary and a privilege to witness. Thank you Mark and thank you Prince of Whales.
      Written October 3, 2024
    • susanrV4094OH
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing tour!
      What an amazing tour! Saw 3 different species including Humpbacks, Orcas and Harbor seals. Our guide Fox was soo fun and informative. Loved that he got excited when spotting for us.
      Written October 3, 2024
    • Paul D
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best tour of our trip
      Granted we had superb weather ,but from reception to completion the tour was amazing . We were provided with waterproof suits ,gloves and hats ,and our guide Mark was really friendly and informative.we were lucky to see many whales and other wildlife so all in all a great trip. The zodiac is a very fast vessel so be prepared for speed and the occasional bumpy ride , but we couldn’t have been more impressed with the whole experience. ….wish we had time to do it again
      Written September 30, 2024
    • Debbie F
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Sunset whale watch
      Fabulous trip whale watching from Victoria. We saw orcas and humpbacks along with sea lions and seals. Crew are very knowledgeable and managed to answer all questions that people asked about the wildlife. They also take photos which are then emailed to you, which was amazing because most of my photos were of waves and splashes
      Written September 30, 2024
    • Departure25242703888
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      It was lovely and we saw a lot of animals :)
      I went on the zodiac tour and I really loved it. George, the boat driver, was very nice and explained us a lot about the animals we saw and about the region. He stopped the boat when we came close to animals so that we could take pictures but also maintained a distance to them so that we wouldn't disturb them. We saw 6 orcas and 2 whales, as well as seals, a sea otter and many birds!
      Written September 30, 2024
    • santosandjava
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Unmissable
      What an outstanding trip this was. It surpassed all our expectations. George our "pilot" was just brilliant in every part of the journey. A truly unforgettable experience.
      Written September 28, 2024
    • kieranm2000
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Whales.. Tre cool!
      Incredible experience out on the Salish Sea! We lucked out with Captain Tre. Thankfully, Prince of Whales added an extra tour for us! Tre made the experience with his fun facts and great boat positioning, we got to experience some amazing orca and humpback views - once in a lifetime!
      Written September 27, 2024
    See all 5,350 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles1,788 reviews
    Excellent
    1,697
    Very good
    71
    Average
    10
    Poor
    8
    Terrible
    2

    RosslandRider
    BC7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2020
    We had a wonderful afternoon of whale watching!! The crew were amazing and so knowledgeable of the marine life. They we so kind and considerate and truly took the time to search for whales. We were fortunate to see humpback whales and lots of seals at Race Rocks. The catamaran was incredibly comfortable with the option of indoor or outdoor seating. The protocols in place for covid19 were excellent and we felt very safe on board. Passengers wore masks when we couldn't be 2m apart, the crew were regularly cleaning high touch surfaces and they have reduced the number of passengers on each trip to enhance distancing. It truly was a great day out on the water!!! I highly recommend whale watching with Prince of Whales!!
    Written August 4, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello RosslandRider, Thank you so much for your review! We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your trip on the catamaran for the Half Day Whale Watching. We are glad that our Covid-19 protocols made you feel safe and allowed you to thoroughly enjoy your trip! We hope to see you out on the water with us again in the future!
    Written August 15, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    OurAdventures2
    Bath, UK917 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked with this company as Whale Watching was our main focus in Victoria.

    Check In takes place in front the Orca Mosaic 30 minutes before the trip departs. We arrived 45 minutes before but it doesn't matter about arriving early as you board on top the boat for the safety briefing and then are free to roam after, so even being last on the boat there is still plenty of seating.

    The first trip we done the sea fog created issues and we were unsuccessful in finding any wildlife or whales so we booked onto the following days Sunset cruise. This was free under the Whale Guarantee just had to pay $15pp surcharge for fuel. We arrived knowing there were sightings from the morning trip so were more optimistic.

    After about an hour we arrived at a spot and had a distant Humpback Whale which done a few tail flucks. The Humpback slowly got closer to the boat so we stayed and watched it. After about 15 minutes the Humpback came up right next to the boat (we actually got wet from the spray!)

    We spent over an hour with Stitch the Humpback Whale who apparently had been visiting boats and doing the same thing. She kept going under the boat and coming up, gave us some flipper waves before slowly drifting off where we then headed off to see some Seals and Sea Lions.

    This experience was once in a lifetime and I still can't believe what we seen! I had a telephoto lens but had to put this away and use my phone as Stitch was far too close!!

    Staff were very knowledgable and friendly. A special shout-out to Rajan who sat with us as we were also into Wildlife Photography and were comparing UK species to Canadian birds.

    The hot drinks on board are free and well needed as it does get cold on board even if warm on land. They also sell crisp, chocolate etc.

    A** experience and we would definitely use this company again.
    Written September 14, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Jennifer P
    Saskatoon, Canada1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2020
    This tour is a must see in my opinion! I can not describe the beauty that we encountered, the memories we created and the knowledge we received.
    We took the Catamaran tour, and this boat allows for space, comfort and speed. We went out on August 26, 2020 and due to COVID-19 the capacity of the boat was lowered and that allowed us ample space to feel safe. The crew was diligent in cleaning the public areas as well as making sure each passenger followed their COVID guidelines.
    We were lucky enough to encounter 2 pods of Orca's on this day. The first pod was capturing some prey and it was amazing to catch them in action. The second pod was travelling and doing some quirky moves that was quite enjoyable to watch.
    The knowledge of the crew on board is astonishing. You can really see their love for what they do. Seanie was the guide in our area of the boat and that girl is full know information. We asked questions and had conversations about everything from whales to weather and she was more than happy to answer our questions. 2 thumbs up for her!!
    Don't miss out on the opportunity that this company provides.
    Written August 31, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello jenniferpE4779BN, Thank you for taking the time to review your experience! We are so glad that you had a wonderful time and got to see the orcas in action!! Thank you for all your wonderful words about Seanie and our COVID safety protocols, I will be sure to pass it along :) Thank you for coming and we can't wait to have you onboard again!
    Written September 4, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Holly I
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2020
    As a local to Victoria, I can't believe I've never taken a Prince of Whales tour before now and I am so glad I did. I've tried with other operators before, and in terms of guide knowledge, comfort of the boat/facilities, and overall experience, this was the absolute best one! I did the half-day whale watching tour from Victoria and we were fortunate enough to see many humpbacks, some sea lions and seals, as well as some rarely spotted transient orcas near the end. Our guide, Jen, was so knowledgeable, funny, professional and really just made the whole experience for me. I've never actually been entertained by a safety presentation before so I give her full props for that. She was able to answer all our questions, and kept the entire boat entertained with stories and information that made me take away a whole new appreciation for these animals. All I can say is "wow!" -- I would absolutely recommend booking with them if you want a comfortable and memorable day!
    Written October 12, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello hollyi161, Thank you so much for your review! We are so glad to hear your first tour with Prince of Whales was fantastic wtih the Salish Sea Eclipse, Jen and the rest of the crew. It is so awesome that you were able to see so many different kinds of wildlife too. We hope to welcome you back out on the water with us in the future!
    Written October 16, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Charmaine B
    Saskatoon, Canada2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2021
    We just went on this Whale watching adventure this afternoon. We had such a nice time. The boat is gorgeous and the scenery and views are incredible - even before we saw the whales. The staff are super friendly and helpful. Shannon was willing to talk to us and answer our many, many questions with a smile!
    There are options to sit inside, outside but covered or outside and not covered. It was +7 outside today in mid-October, so with our layers I was still a bit chilly when outside. We watched from inside most of the time and had spectacular views as the inside is surrounded by full floor to ceiling windows! We also got complimentary tea/coffee/hot chocolate which was nice to warm up as well.
    We saw 5 different humpback whales as well as lots of seals. The humpback whales came super close at times which was really neat to see.
    One of my favourite bonuses for this tour was they have their own photographer taking photos of the wildlife and they email them out within 24 hours at no cost. This was wonderful as I didn't feel the need to try to capture any photos, but could be in the moment and watch everything around me.
    If you're heading out on this tour, I recommend bringing layers of clothing, snacks if you like (they are unable to provide food due to COVID-19), and make sure you bring some cash for a tip. They accept cash tips and you will definitely want to leave one before you head off the boat.
    I am really glad we booked this tour and highly recommend it!
    Written October 9, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    999charmainee, Wow! Where to begin! Thank you SO much for your incredibly kind review and for taking the time to write such key, informative words. We truly value your feedback and the recommendations that you outlined for future guests (who will benefit greatly from dressing in warm layers and bringing snacks!). We hope that your tour was a resounding success and we hope that you will continue to enjoy the memories that were captured in photos for you. We cannot wait to welcome you back for more adventures on the Salish Sea :) Take care and best fishes!
    Written October 12, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Deven R
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2020 • Couples
    We were on the sunset cruise on July 17 2020. We had Lili, Maia and Jen as our crew staff/ naturalists and Bill and Joe as the Captains. We saw several humpback whales and had dall's porpoises playing in our wake for several minutes. Truly breathtaking. All the crew were personable, very informative and kind, all measures were taken for social distancing, etc...very enjoyable and would recommend to anyone looking to see some of the wildlife in the local waters around Victoria. Cherry on top was the free face masks adorned with whales :)
    Written July 18, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello devenr231, Thank you for taking the time to review your experience with us! So glad that you enjoyed your sunset cruise and got to encounter humpbacks, and Dall's porpoise playing in the boat wake - cool!! I will be sure to pass along your kind words to our crew, and we hope to see you again :)
    Written July 21, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Laura M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2021 • Family
    Wow, our expectations were blown away by the incredible professionalism, expertise and COVID safety of the crew on Prince of Whales half day trip.

    The naturalists Austen, Brittney and Shannon could answer all our questions and really made sure our whole family was able to view both orcas, humpback whales and sea lions. They went above and beyond to share their knowledge on how the whales are identified and explained about the incredible whales. Both my husband and I would book again when relatives visits because it was so well done and a truly memorable experience. Brittney and Austen put in extra effort to make sure our young son was having a fantastic time with colouring books, hot chocolate and cool stories/facts. We so appreciate this.

    The physical boat also makes a very enjoyable ride where you can warm up inside or catch the fresh sea air on the deck. The Captain Bill drove the boat with care and really showed respect for the whales by providing them their space. The Covid measures are the boat also create a sense of respect for health and safety, the crew members enforce them consistently in a friendly way.

    We are locals and are so glad we decided to explore our big blue backyard with Prince of Whales.

    Book now, you won’t regret it!
    Written August 31, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    P4010ADlauram, WOW!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a glorious review...informative, kind, and excitable. Thank you for taking the time to make our day! We appreciate your review and we're super glad to hear that you would do it again! We hope that you'll be back very, very soon :)
    Written September 7, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Pete P
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2020 • Couples
    What an amazing experience! We were booked with another company who cancelled the trip the morning of, so we booked with Prince of Whales last minute online, and did not regret it! The staff were amazing, and the boat was clean and comfortable. Lili and Valerie were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the whales we saw, which included a pod of 4 orcas hunting a sea lion! We also saw 6 different humpback whales, 2 of which got very close to the boat! Overall we would highly recommend booking with Prince of Whales, it was not a rushed experience at all. Captain Bill and first mate Joe were constantly on the lookout for more whales and spent a good amount of time at each location without rushing to the next. Absolutely a wonderful experience!
    Written October 10, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello 767petep, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour on the Salish Sea Eclipse with our wonderful crew. They are all so passionate about the wildlife and doing their job, we are so glad to see that you enjoyed that aspect! We hope to welcome you back out with us again in the future!
    Written October 16, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Dana B
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sep 2020
    Myself and my service dog just came back from a lovely three hour sunset whale watching tour, and not only did we get to see five of the transient orcas within about 20 minutes of departure, we also saw a humpback whale which was really incredible. We also saw lots of other wildlife such as harbour seals and sea lions, and the information given by the staff during the tour was always super interesting and informative. The company is taking COVID protocols very seriously, from mask protocol when boarding and moving about the decks, to limiting the number of passengers to a quarter of what they normally can carry. I felt very safe in their hands, and would highly recommend the tour. I am a local to Victoria and had never done a whale watching tour, I should have done this years ago. And the sunset coming back home was just magical. Thanks to the team on my tour, you were all great. :)
    Written September 2, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello deebC9329TY, Thank you for your glowing review! We are so happy that you enjoyed your time on the water with us and got to see so much wildlife!! I will be sure to pass along your kind words to the crew and we hope to have you onboard again in the future :)
    Written September 9, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    getmeoutoftherain
    Vancouver, Canada229 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2020
    Second Time With This Group...EVEN BETTER.

    Living in Vancouver or Victoria my entire life and spending my first 15 years on a sailboat..I’m critical about safety around boats. That should be number 1 concern on any ocean excursion. This organization keeps safety of all aspects as number 1. Covid procedures were explained and executed. The Sea Eclipse was loaded at 50% capacity. Gov. Of Canada marine rules explained clearly.

    Ok...last time I was on a Zodiac. Ton of fun, had whale sightings..humpbacks and orcas( 2017)
    This time on the new cameraman. Super comfortable, stable and fast.

    What a show today. 28 orcas. 2 “T-parties” aswe were taught. Unbelievable.

    The crew can’t control the sightings but they can control the way they approach the pods. And the information and enthusiasm they share.

    Thank you so much for an amazing day. I know I’ll be back. Thanks Valerie. It was so lovely to see your passion you have for your profession.

    Blessed to live in beautiful BC
    Written August 19, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello getmeoutoftherain, Thank you so much for your review! We are so glad you enjoyed your time on the Eclipse with Val and the team. We hope to see you out again for a third time wiht us in the future!
    Written August 23, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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