Archipelago Wildlife Cruises
Archipelago Wildlife Cruises
5
Boat ToursEco ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife ToursDay Trips
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
For an unforgettable West Coast experience, step aboard our spacious 53 foot luxury motor yacht for a tour unlike any other to look for whales, bears, sea lions, sea otters and other wildlife in comfort. More than just wildlife viewing, our interpretive tours include a scenic cruise through the sheltered waters of the Broken Group islands section of Pacific Rim National Park and a gourmet meal while at anchor. Romantic evening wildlife cruises and private charters are also available.
Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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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
1,188 reviews
Excellent
1,149
Very good
29
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Jan S
North Vancouver, Canada113 contributions
Aug 2021
This is a wildlife tour around the Broken Group Islands - not a whale watching tour. Toddy and Al do stress this on the booking information and we took this tour for the scenery rather than the wildlife.
Toddy and Al have things well organized to cope with COVID precautions and they went out of their way to actively search out wildlife for their guests. The light lunch was really good for a boat trip and coffee was available throughout the duration of the tour.
This is a very relaxing trip and the scenery is stunning, even earlier in the day when it was a little foggy. All passengers on our tour were adults and I would not recommend this tour for children.
Toddy and Al have things well organized to cope with COVID precautions and they went out of their way to actively search out wildlife for their guests. The light lunch was really good for a boat trip and coffee was available throughout the duration of the tour.
This is a very relaxing trip and the scenery is stunning, even earlier in the day when it was a little foggy. All passengers on our tour were adults and I would not recommend this tour for children.
Written August 20, 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.
Kirk P
1 contribution
Aug 2021
Toddy and Al are fantastic hosts and our family of 4 (Mom, Dad, Girl 12, and boy 10) had a great time on their Broken Group Islands Wildlife Tour!
Their boat is very nice, comfortable, and well equipped with all the comforts of home.
The day we went out with Toddy and Al was a bit foggy, which is both unfortunate and a treat at the same time. Unfortunate because the weather could have been nicer with better visibility, but also a bit of a treat because we are from the prairies and this was a chance to experience real west coast weather! Despite the fog, we did see some nice wildlife along the way (eagles, otters, sea lines, etc.).
We would strongly recommend Archipelago Wildlife Cruises to anyone who would like to spend some quality time with some great people in a fantastic environment while viewing the local wonders of B.C.’s far west coast.
- Kirk, Laura, Grace & Colin.
Their boat is very nice, comfortable, and well equipped with all the comforts of home.
The day we went out with Toddy and Al was a bit foggy, which is both unfortunate and a treat at the same time. Unfortunate because the weather could have been nicer with better visibility, but also a bit of a treat because we are from the prairies and this was a chance to experience real west coast weather! Despite the fog, we did see some nice wildlife along the way (eagles, otters, sea lines, etc.).
We would strongly recommend Archipelago Wildlife Cruises to anyone who would like to spend some quality time with some great people in a fantastic environment while viewing the local wonders of B.C.’s far west coast.
- Kirk, Laura, Grace & Colin.
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.
D and T Stewart
Okotoks, Canada12 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Most people can only dream of experiences like what we encountered on this tour.
The list of items meeting our complete satisfaction is long…First and foremost is the comfortable boat (Toddy and Alan’s home), the cleanliness of the boat, to the orderly fashion of boarding their boat, how to move around the boat to avoid overcrowding, plus a well thought out and orderly lunch service. It’s safe to say this is a tightly run vessel which makes everyone’s participation enjoyable.
During the cruise you will be amazed at the scenery through The Broken Islands let alone the abundant air, sea and land animals and creatures you may encounter. Toddy and Al provide knowledgeable information on animals in and around the area and some story telling including but not limited to Japanese first settlers and First Nation natives that occupied the waters and landscape.
Add in gourmet lunch selections if you so desire and maybe a sociable of wine or beer plus some added humour courtesy of Al during the cruise and the trip is unforgettable.
The awards and accolades this business has received is well warranted. Thank you Toddy and Al for a dream cruise!!
The list of items meeting our complete satisfaction is long…First and foremost is the comfortable boat (Toddy and Alan’s home), the cleanliness of the boat, to the orderly fashion of boarding their boat, how to move around the boat to avoid overcrowding, plus a well thought out and orderly lunch service. It’s safe to say this is a tightly run vessel which makes everyone’s participation enjoyable.
During the cruise you will be amazed at the scenery through The Broken Islands let alone the abundant air, sea and land animals and creatures you may encounter. Toddy and Al provide knowledgeable information on animals in and around the area and some story telling including but not limited to Japanese first settlers and First Nation natives that occupied the waters and landscape.
Add in gourmet lunch selections if you so desire and maybe a sociable of wine or beer plus some added humour courtesy of Al during the cruise and the trip is unforgettable.
The awards and accolades this business has received is well warranted. Thank you Toddy and Al for a dream cruise!!
Written July 30, 2022
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.
Chris M
1 contribution
Sep 2021
Captains Al and Toddy take great joy in these cruises and their joy is contagious. The boat is comfortable in everyway, the guests are well taken care of, the scenery is just fantastic.
We will be doing this cruise again.
We will be doing this cruise again.
Written September 21, 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.
Angela W
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Not the best weather but what a fabulous trip. Very relaxed and personal very different from shorter trips - broken islands are very beautiful so no matter how much wildlife you see the scenery is stunning . Saw black bears , sea otters .sea lions, harbour seals and lots of eagles . Beautiful boat very comfortable . Toddy and Alan have so much experience and knowledge of the area their stories only make the experience even better. Would thoroughly recommend if you want an all round experience of the area rather than a specific trip looking for bears or whales. A wonderful 5 and a half hours in stunning scenery and good company .
Written June 21, 2022
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.
lisa e
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
The trip with Totti and Al was absolutely incredible! My mom and I did the 5.5 hours wildlife cruise and we‘re amazed by the nature around us from beginning to end. We saw lots of wildlife, enjoyed the company of the other guests and the two hosts.
Totti and Al make this experience unforgettable by throwing in all kinds of stories, their knowledge about the sea and nature as well as their humor. They invited us into their home and we felt right at home sitting on the sunny bow for hours!
10/10 worth the money and is definitely one of my favorite memories of all time!
Totti and Al make this experience unforgettable by throwing in all kinds of stories, their knowledge about the sea and nature as well as their humor. They invited us into their home and we felt right at home sitting on the sunny bow for hours!
10/10 worth the money and is definitely one of my favorite memories of all time!
Written May 13, 2024
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.
Sarah W
Bristol, UK8 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
The whole day was well managed and Al and Toddy were wonderful hosts. They were enthusiastic to show us as much as possible and had wealth of local information and stories to share. I would recommend this trip highly for beautiful scenery and wildlife spotting
Written May 31, 2022
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.
Cameron J
Calgary, Canada1 contribution
Jul 2021
Toddy and Al were fantastic hosts for our Wildlife Cruise excursion. They kept us well informed and did their very best in finding us a wide variety of wildlife including eagles, harbour seals, sea lions, sea otters etc. This excursion was the highlight of our vacation and we would highly recommend anyone wanting to see the fantastic scenery to use Archipelago Wildlife Cruises!
Written July 27, 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.
Lisa K
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful time visiting the Pacific coast of British Columbia this summer. My favorite experience was a cruise with Toddy and Al on their beloved yacht home, through Archipelago Wildlife Cruises out of Ucluelet. Everything about this 5-hour trip was ideal.
While we saw eagles, sea lions, bears, seals, sea otters and more, the journey itself, through gorgeous Barkley Sound took my breath away. Toddy and Al know these waters deeply; the culture, history, and where animals tuck themselves away. They provided thoughtful and fun commentary. The trip is gorgeous, the food (that you can purchase aboard their yacht) was delicious and the group we ended up touring with came from all over the world, and was delightful. Toddy and Al have attended to details in a such a thoughtful way; from items that help prevent motion sickness to their flexible approach to different people’s needs (children’s, for instance) they seem to have every detail covered. I am sad to leave the Pacific coast of BC and wish I was heading out today on another trip with Archipelago Cruises. We give it our highest rating. (P.S. I discovered Archipelago Wildlife Cruises on Trip Advisor and am so glad we did.)
While we saw eagles, sea lions, bears, seals, sea otters and more, the journey itself, through gorgeous Barkley Sound took my breath away. Toddy and Al know these waters deeply; the culture, history, and where animals tuck themselves away. They provided thoughtful and fun commentary. The trip is gorgeous, the food (that you can purchase aboard their yacht) was delicious and the group we ended up touring with came from all over the world, and was delightful. Toddy and Al have attended to details in a such a thoughtful way; from items that help prevent motion sickness to their flexible approach to different people’s needs (children’s, for instance) they seem to have every detail covered. I am sad to leave the Pacific coast of BC and wish I was heading out today on another trip with Archipelago Cruises. We give it our highest rating. (P.S. I discovered Archipelago Wildlife Cruises on Trip Advisor and am so glad we did.)
Written August 20, 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.
Susan B
Oregon3 contributions
Jun 2022
This was a wonderful experience, made even better by the knowledge, skill and good humor of Toddy and Al. They piloted the boat all over the Broken Group to show us beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife. The boat is in top condition and very comfortable. If you are in the Ucluelet area one of the best ways to see and enjoy it is from the water. You will see many aspects of that beautiful environment that you could never see staying on the shore. Highly recommended!
Written June 29, 2022
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.
Do you need to book in advance? Traveling from Ireland on 30th April and staying in Ucluelet for 4 nights. Noreen
Written April 9, 2019
Hello Noreen,
I am sorry I did not answer your question but I did not see it until now. It is always best to contact us via email as that way I am always able to get back within 24 hours. My apologies once again.
Written May 5, 2019
How many people are on the boat? Is there enough cover on the boat for all passengers in case of bad weather?
Written August 6, 2018
I agree with the other answers. The boat is very comfortable. We had about 18-20 people. Everyone was spread around the boat. The main cabin area is totally enclosed with a sliding glass door. It has a couple of couches and chairs. Part of the upper deck is covered, but most of it is open on top and you can sit in deck chairs. Some people sit in the front of the boat. This is a wonderful trip! Toddy and Al are great hosts and guides.
Written August 7, 2018
Moet je reserveren?
En welke tour is het meeste kans op walvissen te zien?
Written June 19, 2017
I just saw your question now, so I apologise for the delay in answering. It is always best to email us as I answer emails at least twice per day.
Are you the Wilma who came out with us on June 20th? If yes, then thanks for coming! If no, then please email me and I will gladly asnwer any questions.
To any other readers:
At this time of year we strongly advise you book ahead.
There are few whales in our area at present. This may or may not change at any time. If you email me I'd be happy to explain in more detail, including info about how best to see whales at the moment.
Written June 30, 2017
hi i am planning to visit 1st week of November ....is it right time
Written October 26, 2016
Hello,
We are now closed until early May. However there are other companies which stay open all year. They will run in November, weather permitting. You could try either Subtidal Adventures or Beachcomber Ocean Tours.
Written October 26, 2016
We will travelling with a baby age 8 months at the time we would like to do the tour. Is it possible to take the baby on the Tour and do we have to pay the full amount of the 125$ for her too?
Written March 14, 2016
Hello
I cannot answer for Archipelago Wildlife Cruises. My suggestion is to ask the company. They were very good with email communication. Email should be on their website. However, I do doubt whether they would charge the full amount if they allow babies.
Written March 15, 2016
Just trying to better understand: does the cruise cost $159 per person?? So for a family to go on the cruise would be more than 800$ (inc tax)?
Written April 11, 2015
I apologize for not answering sooner but I just saw this question now.
The total cost for your family would depend on how many people are in your group, the ages of your children and whether you choose to order meals or bring your own. And, if you do opt to order the meals, whether your children order the adult or the children's meal.
The best way to find out the exact cost for your group is to go to our website (Archipelago Cruises):
Click on RATES, then click on the box that says "CALCULATE TOTAL COST" . This brings you to a form that will calculate the exact total cost, including tax, once you have filled in the details mentioned above. It only takes about a minute or less.
I hope this helps. If you have any further questions please contact us via email to get a quick response.
Toddy Landry
Written May 20, 2015
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