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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 travellers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 95 per group
Duration: 3h 30m
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 travellers 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 cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled 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 travellers

    • 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
    C$210.99
    per adult
    Select date and travellers

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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • O9072ITchristinec
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Orcas in 2025
      It was a rocky day on the water but Captain Mark is a great driver. After a report from another vessel of orcas seen some time ago, he went above and beyond searching the area. He was able to locate two brothers feeding on a seal. We also saw sea lions and many seals. Mark was great about checking in with the passengers to ensure everyone was doing ok in the difficult conditions. We had a great time. Thank you!
      Written January 5, 2025
    • Decourc
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An excellent adventure!
      It was a great adventure! Our guide Mark was enthusiastic and informative, and after seeing two pairs of humpbacks, Mark went the extra mile to take us out to see a pod of orcas that George had scouted for us. What a great team! They worked in tandem to ensure that we had the best experience possible. And what a great way to see out 2024. Thanks, Prince of Whales.
      Written December 31, 2024
    • 558revanthp
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Whale watching feedback
      Had the best time watching whales, I went with my friends, we were lucky, we saw 4 whales, couldn't ask for more. I saw some sea lions as well.
      Written December 21, 2024
    • jackietP2579WX
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      An exhilarating boat ride to the area, sporting whales and other wildlife in the return to port
      The limited numbers allowed on the boat made the tour feel very personalised. Mark’s contacts and local knowledge ensured we saw whales. A pod of killer whales cruising by was awesome to see! Being winter I was sceptical of what would be around so this close encounter was amazing.
      Written December 18, 2024
    • Extraordinary441652
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An exhilarating afternoon and some beautiful whales
      We had a fantastic time with Mark at Prince of Whales tours. The booking process was easy, the tour was well organised. Our group included children age 12 &16 and he took great care of us all. The boat ride is exhilarating which we absolutely loved but might be too bumpy for some. We were lucky enough to see some beautiful humpback whales. Mark was so knowledgeable and we were in great safe hands. Would highly recommend
      Written December 16, 2024
    • melissamE4118UV
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Lovely experience!
      Great guide, enjoyed the trip! Not for the sea sick though, but was really fun to see all the wildlife! The whales weren’t super active when I went, but the company offered me a free second trip to make up for it!
      Written December 8, 2024
    • Rachel N
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Must do experience!
      This is a must do tour – no matter the season! We booked last minute on a sunny but cold winter’s day in December, and unsure whether it would be worthwhile given we were told it was not whale season. When we got there, our guide Mark – who was a local with a wealth of knowledge on the surrounding waters and the local whale population – said “it’s always whale season here”. We were blessed, seeing Humpbacks, Orcas (a resident pod of 14 whales which was very special), sea lions, harbour seals and countless sea birds. Mark was an elite tour guide, whale spotter and boat captain. The boat ride is thrilling and a little bumpy, if you’re not into speed boats perhaps opt for a larger boat with cover. However, being on the zodiac meant a more intimate experience and close up encounters.
      Written December 6, 2024
    • kristinawN5821JS
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing experience
      Mark & Sam and the crew were fantastic. As a last min booking late in November not only were they able to accommodate but the also exceeded our expectations. We saw lots of sea lions, Orcas and humpback whales. So good!!! Highly recommended
      Written November 23, 2024
    • melaniecO2387LY
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great day!!
      Wow! What a fantastic day. We planned our trip a few months back not really thinking about it being the off season. Sam was great. They had to postpone the morning trip so more guests could join. Very accommodating and super to communicate with us frequently. We saw a number of orcas and some humpbacks and a bunch of sea lions. Mark was very informative. It was a great way to spend our anniversary
      Written November 23, 2024
    • Zoebes
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An awesome experience!
      What an amazing trip, such kind people and we saw a lot! The captain was telling us everything about the environment and all the animals. His knowledge and enthusiasm was great! It was worth every penny
      Written November 21, 2024
    • ryansT7595CK
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Highly Recommend!
      Amazing experience! Staff is very friendly. Our captain, Mark, was excellent, made for a great day. Seeing the Orcas was incredible. Would highly recommend.
      Written November 20, 2024
    • pongpawans
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      And awesome experience!
      I really recommend going to Prince of Whales whale watching! The staff are very knowledgeable with more than 10 years of experience so they know in particular where to go to find those orcas and humpback whales! Got jaw-dropping photos. Thanks to the staffs! Would definitely come again if I visit Victoria!
      Written November 14, 2024
    • 734lauriand
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Absolutely perfect experience
      We had an amazing time on this tour! We saw whales, killer whales, sea lions, and so many other incredible marine animals up close—truly breathtaking. The atmosphere was very friendly, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a fantastic experience. The company provided super warm wetsuits, which made all the difference in staying comfortable out on the water. They were so thoughtful and welcoming, answering all our questions with a smile. Overall, it was such a fun, memorable day, and we left feeling thrilled and grateful. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting an unforgettable adventure!
      Written November 12, 2024
    • Traveler12347895
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Prince of Whales Whale Watch
      We had perfect weather and a great guide. We encountered several pods of whales and saw sea lions. It was a great adventure.
      Written November 9, 2024
    • 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
    See all 5,364 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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles1,786 reviews
    Excellent
    1,694
    Very good
    72
    Average
    10
    Poor
    8
    Terrible
    2

    Jessie M
    Tamarindo, Costa Rica14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2021 • Couples
    I've had the pleasure of sailing with the crew of the Salish Sea Eclipse twice now. Our first trip, while it was an incredibly informative & enjoyable time on the water, was dubbed a "no whale tour" which meant we got to book another tour for no charge. We finally booked that your & were pleasantly surprised to two of the same guides from our first tour. Austen & Shannon were both fantastically knowledgeable & happily answered every question thrown at them. The entire tour was so well managed, it's very clear from the moment you arrive that they are professionals & they're very good at what they do. Safety of both the wildlife & the passengers remained the top priority throughout the entire trip.

    Overall, the entire experience was amazing - I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a whale watching tour!
    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.
    J-Mc3781, Thank you for joining us again and for taking the time out of your day to leave us such a wonderful and informative review -- we appreciate it! :) We're always happy to welcome back previous guests and we're thrilled that the experience lived up to your expectations. Hopefully a third tour is in the cards soon... ;)
    Written September 7, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Georgia
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2021 • Couples
    Prince Of Whales are my favourite company to go with on a whale trip, I wouldn’t choose anyone else. Their naturalists are always so knowledgeable. Today we had Seanie and not only does she know absolutely tons of interesting facts, you can feel her excitement and energy and how she enjoys her job. The Captain, First Mate and other naturalists were great too. We saw two different families of orca and they had HUGE dorsal fins, 3 humpbacks playing and one breaching. We saw Ollie the otter, California sea lions with pups and gorgeous views of sea and mountains. The whale sights are completely out of anyone’s control but I’d literally be happy to pay just for the beautiful views, the comfortable boat (with hot chocolate and coffee) and to hear the stories about whales and other wildlife even if we didn’t see whales. The best part is when they switch the engines off and you can hear the whales breathing, it’s magical. They have a guarantee so you can go back if you don’t see whales and they also sent through some amazing professional photos that I’ll be keeping forever

    Thanks guys, Georgia x
    Written June 12, 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.
    GTG1995, Thank you for your wonderful review!! We are so pleased that you enjoyed your tour with and had the best day ever with Ollie, sea lions, orca, humpbacks, and the crew!! We hope to see you again in the future :)
    Written July 3, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    lross13
    Kingston, Canada12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My family and I (wife and 2 teenage girls) departed from Victoria on the half day whale watching adventure on board the Salish Sea Eclipse. We could tell from the moment we arrived at the pier that the company was determined to make this a memorable experience while adhering to new protocols as per current times.

    The entire crew went out of their way to make everyone feel safe and informed, from the safety brief time the naturalist brief to talking about the whales we saw, seals and sea lions. Lili and Jennifer were quite informative and enthusiastic with the info being provided, while Seanie worked hard keeping everything sanitized. Bill and Casey navigated the waters with precision.

    All in all, job well done!!! Eight thumbs up from this group. Can’t wait to come back on board again.
    Written September 5, 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 lross13, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are thrilled that you had great trip and felt safe while onboard. I will be sure to pass along your kind words to the crew! Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to have you back :)
    Written September 15, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    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.

    Showing results 1-10 of 1,744
    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria provided by Prince of Whales - Whale Watching Adventures

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