Top Vancouver Island Water Tours

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.

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!

The sheltered waters of Ucluelet Harbour offer an ideal location for an introduction to sea kayaking on Vancouver Island’s west coast. Watch for wildlife, from intertidal life to black bears meandering along the shoreline and eagles soaring above. This kayak tour offers the opportunity to paddle up to a hidden waterfall, learn about the local fish hatchery, or explore the outer harbor limits. Paddling instruction is provided.

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. 

Trade your cruise ship for a whale-watching vessel on a 3-hour shore excursion from the port of Victoria. Travel into the open waters of the northern Pacific Ocean to spot native marine life including orcas, humpback whales, harbor seals and minke whales. Learn about British Columbia’s amazing aquatic ecosystems from onboard naturalist guides, who will help point out passing species along the way. It’s an exciting and educational voyage for the whole family!

Wine, whales and a west coast sunset—it’s the ultimate Vancouver Island experience! Sip some of the region’s best wines and enjoy a sunset tour with whales and other marine wildlife on this full-day combo tour. On a 4-hour wine tour, discover Saanich Peninsula, one of Canada’s must-visit locations for all wine and cider lovers. Enjoy tastings at three wineries. Later, on a 3-hour whale watching tour, hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! As the sun melts into the horizon, certified and knowledgeable naturalists will be your guides to the stunning wildlife of the Salish Sea! Hotel transport included.

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.

Go whale watching in Victoria on a 12-passenger boat that’s designed for seeking out whales and marine wildlife on Vancouver Island’s spectacular coast. With a heated cabin, onboard bathrooms, and outdoor viewing decks, this whale watching tour is a comfortable alternative to an open speedboat that still provides the maneuverability and personal experience of a small craft while searching for orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, seals, and more.

The tour starts off with an exciting half hour ride by cruiser boat in the early morning with our kayaks, guide and gourmet picnic lunch. On route to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve guests will have the opportunity to take in the spectacular scenery of rocky bluffs with wind whipped trees, sights of the open Pacific Ocean, a noisy sea lion colony, and a historic native whaling beach. We watch for gray and humpback whales as we travel across Barkley Sound. Whale spotting is all about anticipation, and sightings are truly memorable, so if you watch closely you may get a chance to see whales and other marine life throughout the season.

Join Orca Spirit for an unhurried adventure along the glacier-carved shoreline of the Juan de Fuca Strait, BC. In addition to whale and wildlife watching, we’ll cruise by the Lighthouse at Carmanah, Sea Lion Rock, and the West Coast & Juan de Fuca Trails. Keep your eyes peeled for telltale blows off in the distance and black bears, deer, bald eagles and other wildlife playing hide and seek in the majestic old growth forests nearby.

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.

Sea kayaking around the Broken Group Islands is as good as it gets. It’s rugged beauty, untouched wilderness and a cultural history that extends over 5100 years. We will explore this temperate rainforest with it’s white sandy beaches, and paddle through turquoise waters hosting an amazing diversity of marine life.

Get up close and personal with the ocean and its incredible marine wildlife during this whale watching excursion from Victoria. Climb onboard a Zodiac boat equipped with padded bench seats and cruise the sea at up to 35-knots while your marine naturalist explains the area and animals around you. Head for the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait and lookout for humpback whales, otters, seals sealions, and birds.

Immerse yourself in British Columbia’s unspoiled, wild beauty on this 3-day, small-group kayaking tour of the Barkley Sound. On the first day, set off from the Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina in Ucluelet, and venture to the sandy beaches of the Broken Group Islands for a training session and introduction. Over the next three days, you’ll spend numerous hours kayaking, hiking, exploring forests and beaches, and more. Meals, camping and kayaking equipment, transit, and guided tours are included for your convenience.

Join us on a Whale and Wildlife tour as we explore the waters of the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. With an abundance of wildlife in our area, we are likely to encounter Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Bears, Steller Sea Lions, and so much more. While we can’t guarantee all of these animals on every tour, we take pride in each of our tours and take every opportunity to show our guests everything that is possible during their tour.

Tour the through the beautiful Discovery Passage and Seymour Narrows, and witness the history and beauty the coast has to offer. Common visitors on these tours are the friendly harbour seals, shy Harbour Porpoises, and the Mighty Bald Eagle. If we're lucky we will be greeted by our larger friends, such as humpbacks, orca's and pacific white-sided dolphins!

On this full day adventure, we explore the waters of the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. This tour gives us the luxury of time and is designed for those individuals who want to see as much as they can in one single day. With a focus on finding Orca, the extended day means that we can spend quality time with all of the wildlife, like Humpback Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Bears, Sea Lions, and much more that our spectacular area has to offer.

This exclusive, small group full day experience incorporates the best of marine wildlife and First Nations culture. The immersive, hands-on adventure includes whale watching combined with a 3 hour land-based cultural tour. The marine portion takes place aboard our new 12 passenger tour boats. Homalco Tours' custom-design 12 passenger vessels are unlike any other with a landing craft design and TWO seats for every passenger! You have an option to select Comfort Seating inside the cabin or Adventure Seating on the fresh air deck, allowing for a safer COVID-friendly tour. All guests who wish to ride outside have access to warm and dry Survival Suits and Floater Jackets commonly used on Zodiac-style tours. This is the only cultural and wildlife tour from Campbell River that is 100% indigenous owned and provides you with an immersive indigenous experience from start to finish. Thank you for choosing us, "ʔiymot" (it is good).

In June 2006, Cole Island was officially recognized as a national historic site. It was designated part of a “National Historic District” by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. The district is considered to be the “most complete site of Royal Naval activity and infrastructure in the Commonwealth”. Cole Island is a peaceful place where visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the site located in the quiet waters at the end of Esquimalt Harbour. The island is open from sun-up to sun-down. Please heed warning signs and make sure you pack your garbage out!

7 Hour tours take place on our comfortable aluminum coastal cruiser vessels "Pacific Seeker" and "Pacific Ata-tude". We’ll ply the waters in search of the biggest and most exciting marine animals in Desolation Sound and the Salish Sea. On full day trips we provide a BBQ lunch and refreshments. You'll have plenty of opportunities to stop for breaks at interesting and historical sites in this beautiful area. Tour departs from Campbell River Marine Adventure Centre at the Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre.

Join us on a Whale and Wildlife tour as we explore the waters of the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. With an abundance of wildlife in our area, we are likely to encounter Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Bears, Steller Sea Lions, and so much more. While we can’t guarantee all of these animals on every tour, we take pride in each of our tours and take every opportunity to show our guests everything that is possible during their tour.

Join us on a 6 hour Whale Watching Tour as we explore the waters of the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. With an abundance of wildlife in our area, we are likely to encounter Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Bears, Steller Sea Lions, and so much more. On this tour you will enjoy: Traveling to see a variety of nature and wildlife in a well maintained, 12 passenger vessel Nature interpretation by your certified Naturalist Guide and Captain Onboard washrooms (yes, even on the Zodiac!) An onshore lunch of fresh made wraps, snacks of homemade baked goods and granola bars, and beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and water. Great opportunities to safely use cameras and binoculars (tripods not recommended)

Observe our coast awaken from winter! Join us on our Spring Discovery Tour as we travel to mainland inlets in our covered vessel to see several waterfalls in all of their glory. As we cruise the shorelines, we will keep our eyes peeled for different types of wildlife as they return and awaken from the long winter. Witness sea lions, sea birds, and Orca! View the first Humpback Whales of the season as they make their way back to our northern waters! Watch bears forage along the shore for crabs, mussels, oysters, and more! On this 6 to 7 hour tour, we will travel throughout the islands surrounding Campbell River and make our way to the various inlets of British Columbia’s mainland coast, while searching for wildlife along the way.

What better way to finish off your day than enjoying a relaxing sunset tour. Take in the breathtaking views of Seymour Narrows as the sun sets behind Vancouver Island. We’ll take you on a leisurely cruise through the Seymour Narrows, down the coast of Quadra and Vancouver Island. Stopping to watch any marine life we find on the way! Tour Length: 2 Hours Includes hot beverages, snacks & blankets!