On the Water
5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 97% of travellers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
C$247
per adult
Prince of Whales Whale Watching
Prince of Whales Whale Watching
5
Boat ToursEco ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife ToursDay Trips
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
With our 13 vessels, departures from Vancouver, Victoria, Telegraph Cove & more, close to 100 staff in peak season, Prince of Whales Whale Watching is one of the largest whale watching and eco-adventure companies in British Columbia. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are a leader in responsible whale watching practices and are committed to initiatives such as offsetting 110% of all of our carbon emissions and donating a portion of our revenue to local environmental organizations.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Prince of Whales Whale Watching
On the Water
5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 97% of travellers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
C$225
per adult
Travellers talk about
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
4,528 reviews
Excellent
4,219
Very good
196
Average
60
Poor
20
Terrible
33
mhutton7
Vancouver, Canada4 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
This was a wonderful tour. The water was dead calm in most places, so absolutely ideal conditions for whale watching. The vessel was amazing, with lots of vantage points to see the sights. The captain was committed to making sure we had the best possible chance to see whales, and went out of his way to explore the area in search of them. The whole crew made every effort to make sure that we were comfortable and were enjoying ourselves. Wilma was extremely knowledgeable and took extra steps to ensure that everyone could hear what she was saying. This tour provided outstanding value for the money, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone considering a whale watching tour.
Written May 3, 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.
Thanks for the great review. Wilma will be happy she made such an impact :)
Hope we will see you again soon! We cant get enough of our adventures
Written May 3, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Devin C
Edmonton, Canada22 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We decided to book a whale watching tour with another company. Unfortunately they cancelled due to wind conditions and just before we were feeling defeated, James at prince of whales was able to make our day by getting us on the their tour that was leaving harbour in 15 min. The staff at prince of whales were so informative about any question you could throw at them. I would highly recommend prince of whales for anyone who is interested in seeing these beautiful creatures. Also the risk of them cancelling tours is lower as they have larger vessels.
Thank you James, and all the staff at prince of whales.
Thank you James, and all the staff at prince of whales.
Written August 11, 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 Devin C,
Thank you for taking the time to review your experience! We are so glad that James was able to get you onboard right before departure and that you have a wonderful time :) Thank you for coming out with us, we hope to see you again in the future.
Written August 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Meenu S
Mississauga, Canada10 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
My family and I absolutely loved the tour. Staff was very informative and welcoming. Our guide Wilma was fun to be around and at the same time jumping from one corner of the boat to other entertaining all kinds of whale related questions. We were lucky to have spotted so many Orcas. Also the crew took some wonderful pictures that were shared later, all in all, I would highly recommend this half a day tour.
Written April 11, 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.
174meenus,
Thanks so much for this thoughtful review. It is amazing to hear that you and your family had such a fun day at sea with us. Our crew is wonderful for answering any questions you may have- you're sure to learn something new. So glad you got to see so many orcas! Hope to sail away with you again some day.
Written April 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simon G
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
Had an amazing time on the zodiac tour in Victoria. Even though we only saw one humpback whale, the company allowed us to go on another tour from Vàcouver for free where we finally saw some killer whales. Really recommend.
Written August 7, 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 N3723RFsimong,
Thank you for your review, and recommendation! We are very happy that you got to take advantage of our whale sightings guarantee at our Vancouver location and got to encounter a humpback and orcas!! Thank you for coming out with us and we hope to see you again in the future.
Written August 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Matthew R
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
We went from Vancouver and the trip did disappoint! The crew were brilliant and answered all questions. We were at the half way point ready to turn round when the crew spotted the orcas from absolute miles away. The first spot of the day
We had previously done a tour from San Juan and did not see any Whales so it’s not always guaranteed! The crew here were brilliant and we stayed with the orcas for around an hour while they travelled around and then did a hunt
The ship was very comfortable with plenty of seats inside and out
Highly recommend
We had previously done a tour from San Juan and did not see any Whales so it’s not always guaranteed! The crew here were brilliant and we stayed with the orcas for around an hour while they travelled around and then did a hunt
The ship was very comfortable with plenty of seats inside and out
Highly recommend
Written April 10, 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.
MatthewR3507,
Thanks so much for the glowing review. It sounds like you had a great day at sea finding orcas and witnessing them on a hunt! We are so glad you enjoyed interacting with our lovely crew and catamaran. With our company, sightings are always guaranteed in that if you get unlucky and don't see them, we invite you back for a tour until you do. Privileged to say we've got the best crew in town for spotting those whales. Fun is always guaranteed!
Written April 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
zalaben
Montreal, Canada20 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
I had a wonderful day yesterday as we were able to see Orkas
The boat is very clean and the crew is very knowledgeable about Whales
I had a great time and James and Wilma were especially wonderful and informative.
The Captain was amazing steering the boat in the haze of the fires coming up from Washington state . At one point we went into deep water with the haze all around us... it was dark and mysterious . Fantastic!
It was a great day out and I highly recommend it
The boat is very clean and the crew is very knowledgeable about Whales
I had a great time and James and Wilma were especially wonderful and informative.
The Captain was amazing steering the boat in the haze of the fires coming up from Washington state . At one point we went into deep water with the haze all around us... it was dark and mysterious . Fantastic!
It was a great day out and I highly recommend it
Written September 13, 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.
Whale Hello zalaben,
Thank you for taking the time to review your experience and wonderful recommendation! We are so happy that you enjoyed your tour and got to encounter orcas on your trip!! Thank you for coming out and we hope to have you onboard again in the future :)
Written September 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Doug6464
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Couples
My wife and I and another couple (all first-timers) signed up last minute for a 2:30 pm half day cruise after a competitor cancelled our reservation due to “high wind”. Boarding experience was fast and easy no standing around. (No red suits) The double decker uncrowded boat ride was smooth and comfortable, but a little chilly in late September air. Outstanding crew featured multiple naturalist experts including fascinating storytellers Maurice Stephan and Toby. Captain and first mate Anthony and Sandy certainly knew where to find whales, taking us North to calm waters around Thormanby island.
I was hoping we’d at least get a glimpse of something. But, we saw, heard and smelled (yes smelled!) at least 16 different humpback whales in 3 different places, plus awesome sea lions and seals.
“You know it’s a good trip when I get “my” phone out.” -Maurice
On the spectacular sunset return trip that completed the 82 nm route, the crew continued interacting with passengers and identified at least 6 individual whales we had seen by there flukes (“Valiant”, “Monarch”, “Notch” etc.)
4 hours went fast. Learned a lot;saw a lot; great experience!
I was hoping we’d at least get a glimpse of something. But, we saw, heard and smelled (yes smelled!) at least 16 different humpback whales in 3 different places, plus awesome sea lions and seals.
“You know it’s a good trip when I get “my” phone out.” -Maurice
On the spectacular sunset return trip that completed the 82 nm route, the crew continued interacting with passengers and identified at least 6 individual whales we had seen by there flukes (“Valiant”, “Monarch”, “Notch” etc.)
4 hours went fast. Learned a lot;saw a lot; great experience!
Written October 1, 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.
We're so glad to hear that your last-minute decision to join our tour turned out to be a fantastic experience! Witnessing 16 different humpback whales is an extraordinary event, and it must have been truly special. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're delighted that those four hours were filled with so much discovery and enjoyment. Looking forward to welcoming you back for more memorable adventures on the water!
Written December 28, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrea W
Cologne, Germany2 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
We had a absolut wonderful day with a fantastic crew. Thanks a lot to Wilma, Sandy, Anthony, Luke and Tobin.
They were all fantastic, Wilma telling us so many interesting stories about whales, Anthony taking us to several places to see the whales and the rest of the crew continuously looking for whales and serving us hot drinks.
Prince of Whales Whalewatching is really something you should not miss to do in Vancouver. It is one of the best things we have ever done,
There is a lot of room on the catamaran, so everybody can sit outside or also inside if it is getting to cold outside.
They were all fantastic, Wilma telling us so many interesting stories about whales, Anthony taking us to several places to see the whales and the rest of the crew continuously looking for whales and serving us hot drinks.
Prince of Whales Whalewatching is really something you should not miss to do in Vancouver. It is one of the best things we have ever done,
There is a lot of room on the catamaran, so everybody can sit outside or also inside if it is getting to cold outside.
Written October 1, 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.
I9207PXandreaw,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this informative & kind 5 star review! We're happy to hear that you had an incredible experience and that you enjoyed your sightings and hot drinks :) We appreciate you!
Written October 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christina G
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
Whale watching is a total bucket list item, so my friend and I did a half day whale watching adventure. Had a little trouble finding the place, but once we did it was perfect! The boat was clean and well-kept. We were lucky enough to find a mother humpback and her calf! The captain did a great job of tracking the whales so that we would have plenty of opportunities for pictures and to admire the splendor of the ocean. The crew was knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. Complimentary hot chocolate and coffee were a plus, and the photo package was beyond any expectation. Would definitely recommend!
Written June 7, 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.
christinagO6,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We love helping people complete their bucket lists and we are thrilled to hear we could help with yours! Our photo package is definitely a favourite as it allows guests to soak in the moment without having to worry about capturing it. We're so happy you had a wonderful tour and hope to have you out with us again in the future!
Written June 8, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kevin Y
Toronto, Canada23 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This was the highlight of our trip to Vancouver. It wasn't cheap but I think entirely worth it as 1) We saw two humpback whales and two pods (at least) of killer whales! 2) The boat was excellent. It combined speed with comfort. It had hot drinks and snacks available. It had an indoor and an outdoor viewing gallery. 3) They did not try to cram too many people on board. There were more than enough seats. 4) The staff were friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Written October 19, 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.
We're thrilled to hear that your whale watching experience was the highlight of your Vancouver trip! Witnessing humpback and killer whales is indeed a special experience, and we're glad you found value in it. Your feedback and appreciation for the comfort and amenities of our boat mean a lot to us. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience!
Written December 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, I am visitng Vancouver and Seattle in May, can you tell me how likely we would be to see the whales please?
Written February 21, 2023
We saw 11 whales when we went in October. Not sure what you would see in May.
Written February 22, 2023
When is best time of day and year to visit this excursion?
Written June 26, 2021
Hello, I will be visiting Vancouver on the 20th and 21st of december, can we do the whale spotting trip on those days? thanks!
Written December 12, 2019
The Vancouver location is currently closed for the season and will start to run trips in April!
Written December 28, 2019
I'm going to vancouver on may
Can I wear a t-shirt for whale watching? Or jacket?
Written May 22, 2019
Hi there! Thanks for getting in touch with us. We would highly recommend that you wear a jacket and warm clothing as it can get very cold and windy out on the water. We do provide gloves, hats and blankets but do request that our guests dress warmly.
Written May 22, 2019
Hello! Are there any parking lots near your Granville location? Looking forward to experiencing your half day tour.
Written May 6, 2019
Hello there! Thank you for getting in touch with us! Yes there are parking lots on Granville Island. We would recommend exploring the website 'Parkopedia' which will give you precise details of locations and costings etc. Great to hear that you will be taking a half day tour with us :)
Written May 8, 2019
Will be staying at the Westin so location is great. Just wondering how cold it gets on the boat ? Also, is there any food served on this tour ? Thank you in advance.
Written September 12, 2018
I had a wind jacket which was a good choice that day. They do have blankets, hats and gloves that you can use if needed. Only snacks and drinks offered on the boat. Sit up high near the cabin to help block the wind.
Written September 12, 2018
Will be staying at the Westin so location is great. Just wondering how cold it gets on the boat ? Also, is there any food served on this tour ? Thank you in advance.
Written September 12, 2018
Hi
It was a really warm day when we went and it still got chilly so i would definitely recommend taking something warm and probably layers
I think they sold hot drinks and some snacks but not sure exactly what, certainly nothing substantial but there are restaurants nearby for before or after.
Written September 12, 2018
Hello I am planning on the whale watching tour. How far was the boat from the whales. I mean were there a point in the horizon or could see them OK?
Written July 12, 2018
You can see them and the crew try really hard to find them.
Written July 14, 2018
would this be possible for someone walking on crutches? my wife had broken her ankle and walks on crutches or is moved around by wheelchair.
Thanks!
Written August 5, 2017
I would not recommend this. Please see my review. The ride on the boat can be very uncomfortable, not enough seats, and over crowded boat. It is very shaky and not safe even for people not on crutches.
Written August 17, 2018
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