Top Vancouver Island Nature and Wildlife Tours

Take a sweet-smelling stroll through Victoria’s famous Butchart Gardens, spanning 55 acres (22.2 hectares) of beautifully designed flower beds, lily ponds, footbridges, and thematic landscapes. With a convenient pickup location and a flexible return shuttle schedule, it’s an easy way to experience one of Victoria’s most popular attractions. Visit during summer or holiday season evenings to witness special luminous displays that add an extra touch of enchantment to the gardens.

Marvel at the majesty of Canada’s marine wildlife on this 3-hour whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Hop aboard your boat, a semi-covered vessel built specifically for whale-watching trips, and cruise through the Haro Strait with your guide. Watch the waves from the open sun decks or stay protected from the spray in the heated indoor cabin. Stop off at points of interest through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Listen to fascinating commentary from marine naturalists on board, and admire the beautiful orca, humpback whales, and minke whales you find.

Soar over downtown Victoria and surrounds on a thrilling, 20-minute seaplane flight! Take to the skies right from the water and enjoy an unforgettable aerial perspective of the harbor, coastline, Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains towering in the distance. With a maximum of five passengers, it’s an intimate, small-group ride navigated by an expert pilot.

Come and meet the locals—the flippered, furred and feathered kind—on this guided 3.5-hour or more whale watching cruise with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Find out how you’re supporting a leader in ocean conservation, education, research and sustainability. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and an amazing assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! Hotel transport included.

Admire native marine wildlife in the waters of British Columbia on this 3-hour whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Hop aboard your open-top boat in Victoria Harbour and cruise out into the rolling waves with your guide. Your vessel, a zodiac speedboat, is built with stability in mind and remains buoyant even in rough seas. Cruise through the Haro Straight to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Watch the water for sightings of humpback whales, minke whales and orcas breaching the waves, and learn of their life cycle and migration habits.

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on a 3-hour whale watching cruise off Victoria’s coast. Travel out into the open ocean aboard a comfortable, motorized boat to look for native species like humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, elephant seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. Learn about local marine ecology from a naturalist guide, and take in fantastic views of Vancouver Island in between animal sightings.

Hit the waves with expert naturalists in search of Canadian sea-life on this whale-watching cruise from Victoria. Hop aboard your whale-watching boat and head out into the rolling seas with your guide. Gaze out over Victoria’s attractive coastline and watch the waves for sightings of graceful orcas. Listen as the two expert naturalists onboard explain the life cycles of the majestic creatures, and learn of their pivotal role near the top of the marine food chain. Enjoy fine views from the seating areas both inside and on-deck. 

This adventure is a 3 to 4 hour fully-guided whale watching, wildlife and sunset viewing tour departing from Downtown Victoria on the Salish Sea Eclipse - a state of the art covered catamaran with three viewing decks! Your adventure will be ending when the sun goes down and will be an experience to remember!

Set out on the Pacific Ocean off of Victoria, British Columbia, in search of whales on this half-day tour. Travel through the Haro Strait and the San Juan de Fuca Strait in search of Minke whales, humpback whales, and orcas. Ride in an-open top Zodiac boat, suitable for 12 passengers or fewer, to ensure up-close wildlife encounters and an intimate atmosphere.

Soar through the air like an eagle in flight on this zipline adventure! Just a half hour from central Victoria, this Vancouver Island zipline park features eight different ziplines that span more than 1,000 feet (305 meters). Your small group will also go on a 10-minute ATV ride and you'll traverse two suspension bridges high above the forest floor. Two tour guides accompany you on this two-hour tour; they'll share insight about the environment and answer any questions to ensure a safe, fun and exhilarating experience in the British Columbia temperate rainforest.

Hot drinks, certified marine biologists, and indoor and outdoor viewing areas set this Victoria whale watching tour apart from its competitors. Travel in luxury and style as you look out for whales in their natural environment in the one of the world's best whale-watching habitats in the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait. Other sightings may include marine birds, seals, and sea lions, making this the ideal way to see more of the region's animal residents!

Share the waters with whales, orcas, and more on a wildlife watching tour. In addition to animal sightings, the aquatic adventure also offers great views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, plus the Howe Sound. Stay warm inside the cabin, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Your ticket comes with a whale sighting guarantee, with a free tour should you not spot any whales.

Marvel at Canada’s west coast wildlife on this 3-hour sunset whale watching cruise with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! As the sun sinks to the horizon, cruise back into Victoria’s scenic inner harbour and enjoy the twinkling lights of British Columbia’s capital city!

Head out into the Salish Sea from Nanaimo in search of the abundant wildlife who inhabit the area. Your guide is an experienced marine expert who will take the time to help you learn about the sea life around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This 3-4 hour tour takes you to the habitats of killer whales (orcas) humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and eagles.

Discover why British Columbia is one of the best places in the world to see whales and other marine wildlife on this 3-hour tour with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and a mind-boggling assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? There’s always a chance to see humpback, killer, minke or grey whales!

See whales and all manner of marine life in this whale watching expedition. From Nanaimo, head out in a 23-seater jet boat into the Salish Sea. Humpbacks and orcas can be found off the coast of Vancouver Island, as well as sea lions, porpoises, eagles and lots more. Your guide is seasoned mariner and wildlife expert who will answer any questions you have about what you see.

Nestled in Vancouver Island’s northern bounds, Telegraph Cove is an intimate haven for whale watchers and conservationists. A former fishing village, today Telegraph Cove plays host to our quintessential whale watching adventure. Departing from Telegraph Cove Resort aboard a 12-passenger open-air Zodiac-style boat, this adventure will take you on a 3 hour fully-guided whale watching & marine wildlife viewing tour.

Become more in tune with nature on this private 3-hour whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Board a zodiac vessel with your private group, and cruise along the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in search of whales and other marine life. While on the water, listen to interesting facts about these mammals of the sea.

Our 6-Hour trips give us the opportunity to venture out further and explore some of the more pristine and remote areas of the coast. Increase your chances of seeing some of the larger marine life, like whales and dolphins! In the spring and fall we have a very good chance of spotting black bears and Grizzly's scavenging on the beach! We frequently encounter resident Orca's, humpback whales, pacific white sided dolphins, porpoises, bald eagles and more! Tour Length: 6 Hours Includes beverages, snacks, and lunch

Experience the majesty of Canada’s Sunshine Coast from the air with a 40-minute round-trip seaplane flight from Nanaimo. Take to the skies with a pilot and fly high over the Strait of Georgia. Enjoy panoramic views over the tiny islands dotting the waterway, and stop for up to four hours’ free time in the British Columbia town of Sechelt. Enjoy two take-offs and landings during your tour, and see the Sunshine Coast in a way many visitors miss.

We ultimately want our guests to have the best time possible. Where most companies make you book unique tours separately, we like to incorporate them all into one. This gives you a better bang for your buck with an option to customize the trip to your groups interests.

This exclusive, small group marine experience offers a journey of discovery focused on large marine mammals combined with a fascinating view into the world of local First Nations. Taking place aboard our brand-new, custom-designed 12-passenger tour boats, Homalco Tours vessels are unlike any other. Our landing craft design provides the ability to access beaches on our 4-hour tours, while also providing a truly unique experience for guests with TWO seats for every passenger! You have the option to select your Comfort Seat inside the cozy cabin or your open-aired Adventure Seat at the front of the vessel, allowing for a safer COVID-friendly tour. All guests who wish to ride outside have access to warm survival suits and floater jackets commonly used on zodiac-style tours. Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours is Indigenous owned and operated and is complimented with a unique Indigenous perspective on your marine wildlife experience. Thank you for choosing us, "ʔiymot" (it is good).

See Victoria by horse-drawn carriage on a private tour that explores the Inner Harbour, Downtown, Chinatown, and more. The traditional, open-air carriages offer unobstructed views perfect for photography and sightseeing. Since the carriage is booked for just your group, you’ll enjoy personal service from beginning to end.

Mystical Rainforest Tours: Embark on a mindfulness based stroll through the wild enchantment of a Temperate Rainforest. Experience Forest Bathing: Being immersed in the healing energies of a Forest. Seeing, touching, tasting, smelling & listening to the vibrant presence & ecosystem that brings the forest to Life. Practice the art of Nature Mysticism: Come to the realization that you are part of something much greater than yourself. Tune into the life force of a mystical rainforest while listening to the uplifting sounds of a Tibetan Singing Bowl. Participate in a guided visualization exercise - Imagine that you are a tree, feeling grounded to the earth beneath you, while listening to a selection of music blending in with the peaceful sounds of the surrounding forest. Cap off your tour with an encounter with a 650 year old Douglas fir, acknowledging Mother Nature as your host.