BC Whale Tours
BC Whale Tours
5
Boat ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Full view
About
Leave the crowds behind on our custom made vessels specifically designed for comfort, speed and safety that carry only 12 guests at a time. The rugged beauty of the West Coast is something that should be experienced with Victoria’s boutique whale watching company. The wildlife and limitless adventure that the Salish Sea has to offer is easily enjoyed when experienced in the comfort of our state-of-the-art vessels! Our knowledgeable crew ensure that each and every trip is an inspiring and educational experience.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' 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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,033 reviews
Excellent
939
Very good
56
Average
20
Poor
11
Terrible
8
SEL_GER
Düsseldorf, Germany23 contributions
Jul 2022
Had a fantastic tour with Jim and its zodiac "Orca" spotting a group of orcas and a giant humpback, which was coming very close to our boat while Jim switched off the engines.
They guarantee you spotting whales (as most companies do) + the ride with the zodiac at ~34nm is an extraordinary experience too. Were not sure if that would be the right thing to do with our 5yrs old daughter, but it was worth every cent and I would always come back.
At Victoria harbor you run into the large whale watching companies with their very large boats, but I would recommend to walk ~600m north to have this more individual/intimate experience.
All the best to the team and thx again
They guarantee you spotting whales (as most companies do) + the ride with the zodiac at ~34nm is an extraordinary experience too. Were not sure if that would be the right thing to do with our 5yrs old daughter, but it was worth every cent and I would always come back.
At Victoria harbor you run into the large whale watching companies with their very large boats, but I would recommend to walk ~600m north to have this more individual/intimate experience.
All the best to the team and thx again
Written July 26, 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.
We are thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic tour with Captain Jim on our vessel BC Orca. It's wonderful that you got to see both Orcas and Humpback whales as well. Thank you for your kind words in this review and for joining us on our tour!
Written September 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
brie c
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Family
Out of all the whale tours I have been on, this has by far been the best experience. The people were nothing but amazing, kept it very entertaining and gained personal connections with everyone on the boat to make the experience even more amazing. A lady named Natasha was very polite and even helped me put my life jacket on. Well done BC WHALE TOURS. Will be back for more. Highly recommend this company.
Written July 1, 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.
Meander52706004565
2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Amazing!!! Captain Grant was fantastic and so knowledgeable about everything you can imagine. We saw many killer whales and humpbacks and he knew exactly where to find them. The booking process was extremely easy and I would recommend this tour group to anyone. 10/10!!!! Absolutely LOVED it!!!
Written September 21, 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.
Wow, that is so great to hear that you saw a lot of whales and that it was an amazing trip for you! Thanks for joining us and sharing your experience with us. We hope to see you again one day!
Written September 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christina M
St. John's, Canada13 contributions
Sept 2022
We took BC Tika out with Captain Jim and had an absolutely unforgettable afternoon. Jim's commitment to our safety and a positive experience was evident from the moment we stepped on the dock. We sincerely appreciated his incredible marine knowledge, sharing great information and stories with us all afternoon. From sea birds to sea lions, Jim took the time to share his extensive experience with us helping everyone on our boat not just appreciate what we were seeing but also gave us a better understanding of this amazing ecosystem. The highlights by far were the two pods of orcas that we had the privilege to see. We got incredible pictures and videos but most importantly an unforgettable memory from our trip to the west coast.
Written September 19, 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.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your tour with us. We are pleased to hear that you had an unforgettable experience on the tour with Captain Jim. It's wonderful to hear that you got to see two pods of Orcas as well as other wildlife on your tour.
Written September 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lori F
1 contribution
May 2023 • Family
Our family did the zodiac orca watching tour out of Victoria. We spent a lot of time watching two orca pods, and saw some lion seals swimming and hanging out too. We got the bonus of seeing an eagle at the end. Our guide was a marine biologist who spends a month leading tours in the arctic each summer. He was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. We took our three kids, 21, 19, and 16, and everyone loved the experience. We highly recommend it!
Written May 26, 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.
Thank you so much for joining us on our tour early this season. We are so happy to hear that you had such a great time and that you had such great sightings. Thanks for your kind words and recommendation!
Written September 6, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Diverjean1
Weaverville, NC36 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
It was a splendid day in the water with Brad. The boat was very comfortable; temperature was perfect (even with the very large, thick suits we wore). Brad was so informative and professional, while being congenial with everyone, and we felt quite safe out with the whales, sea lions and seals.
Written September 20, 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.
We are happy to hear that you felt very safe on the tour with Captain Brad and that you got a chance to see whales and other wildlife on the tour. Thanks for taking the time to write a review.
Written September 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve Q
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Solo
Captain Jimmy is a marine biologist, excellent skipper, has a sharp eye and communicates well with other skippers in the area. In 3 hours, we saw >1,000 seals and sea lions, 3 humpback whales (one extremely close) and >35 DIFFERENT Orcas. Great trip. We’ll worth the money.
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.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! We are happy to see that you enjoyed your tour with us and it's wonderful that you got some great sightings on your tour with Captain Jimmy!
Written September 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jamesgordge123
Selby, UK7 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This was an amazing experience we saw so many humpback whales. Brad was excellent. He knew the answers to every question we asked and was able to get us so close to the whales. The boat we went on was also really good and gave everyone a really clear view of the whales. Overall I'd recommend this to anyone especially since the high speed boat was fun by itself!
Written September 17, 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.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are so happy that you enjoyed your tour with Captain Brad and that you got to see a lot of Humpback Whales!
Written September 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephani S
Media, PA1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
This is my fourth whale watching trip (The others were in Alaska, Hawaii & South Africa) overall this was the best experience. The boat holds a maximum of 12 people and is very comfortable. There's plenty of room to stand up and move around and no matter where you're sitting you have a view in every direction. There was no need to push your way through crowds of people to try to get a view of the whales. And we saw many whales, humpback and orca. Captain Jim was very kind and knowledgeable. He did really well predicting where the whales would surface and we got amazing close up views.
Written July 17, 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.
Heather H
Sydney, Australia36 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
An outstanding trip- we had close views if an active pod of orcas, hump back whales and many sea lions. We were in the capable hands of skipper Jimmy who was enthusiastic and well informed. We have had many whale watching experiences and would highly recommend this one. The vessel sits only 2 people in each row and so the view is great from any position, plus you can stand up and move when stoped. BC tours provides the suit, but I would recommend bringing your own hat, beanie, gloves and buff/ scarf as it gets cold on the water when moving. You can bring all your belongings on board and store them below your seat. I took my camera, but found it hard to film when moving - so iPhone was fine for photos. As with any wild life experience, you success in seeing whales is dependent on luck, weather and the season. We did not expect to see so many whales in September, but had an exceptional experience.
Written October 3, 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.
Thank you for sharing your review. We are happy to hear you felt it was an outstanding trip with Captain Jimmy and that you had some great whale sightings! Thank you for joining us and for sharing some tips for others who decide to come along!
Written October 3, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dear bc Team, we have send you a request three times in january via Mail about a booking Status but did never received any Answer. Is there any problem with our Email account? Thanks for info
Written March 9, 2024
Looking at March 9 - 13 2020. I know it is not peak season, but what are the odds on seeing Orca's and does the Whale Guarantee on the website apply at this time? Thanks.
Written May 22, 2019
Hi gno2017, while it is not peak season in March we do still have various animals in our waters at that time of year. Our whale guarantee applies to grey whales, killer whales, humpback whales, and minke whales! We do still see orcas in March but not as frequently. Our whale guarantee allows you to come back out with us complimentary until you do see whales. This is good for life!
Written May 23, 2019
We are travelling to Victoria in mid-April, and are looking at booking a tour. I know that the peak season is June-September, but will there still be a good chance of seeing whales at that time? And what would be the best boat for that season, and for someone who can get a little seasick? Thanks!
Written March 9, 2019
Hi Shannon,
Thanks for the question. April won't be peak season in our waters but we will still be seeing whales at that time - simply not as often. BC Luna is a covered zodiac that is great for the cooler season, she has a heated cabin and outdoor observation deck. She is also great in preventing sea sickness due to her stability.
We hope to see you in April! Let us know if you have another other questions.
-BC Whale Tours Crew
Written March 10, 2019
If my spouse is prone to motion sickness, how much should she log up on Gravol before we go? We own a pleasure not and she is fine as long as she is facing forward and the swells aren’t too high.
Written August 7, 2018
Hi my wife and I recently went Whale watching we chose the BC Tika craft due to it being designed to be smooth on the water.
The experience was superb very little role or sideways motion at any point, the boat has huge power so covers ground very quickly with little chance of any sideways role!
I guess it also depends on the weather and conditions on the day however what a fantastic experience not to be missed !!
Taking motion sickness medication worth doing as a back up.
Written August 8, 2018
If my spouse is prone to motion sickness, how much should she log up on Gravol before we go? We own a pleasure not and she is fine as long as she is facing forward and the swells aren’t too high.
Written August 7, 2018
Hello dickbob! The amount of motion does depend on the weather conditions. The windier it is, the 'bumpier' it will be on the water. I always recommend an open zodiac so the wind is on your face and to sit further back in the vessel were the boat is more stable. Our vessel BC Tika handles the best in rough conditions. ~ BC Whale Tours team
Written August 8, 2018
We are planning to be in Vancouver in September. Are you close enough for us to drive over for a trip?
Written May 20, 2018
Hi Leah,
We are located in Victoria on Vancouver Island. To get to us you would have to take a ferry, which takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. Victoria is a very beautiful city, if you decided to come over to us for a tour, there are many other attractions near us as well, and so you could make a great sight-seeing day out of it.
~BC Whale Tours Crew
Written May 20, 2018
Samuel K
Bandung, Indonesia
Is there any difference taking the morning and the afternoon tour? Regarding the wave and convenience. Thanks!
Written May 13, 2018
There is no difference in the chances to see whales throughout the day. We recommend that you book based on your parties schedule and convenience. Wave conditions depend on the winds which can pick up or slow down throughout the day. A lot of moving variables, and everyday is different :)
Written May 13, 2018
LostLunas
Sahuarita, Arizona
We won't be there until end of October -- any chance we might see some whales?
Written September 6, 2017
Peak Season here in Victoria is June-September however October is still considered a good month for seeing whales :)
Written September 7, 2017
We are on a tour tomorrow and looking at the photos of the boat will we be able to bring our camera or should we assume very wet conditions for passengers. Thanks
Written September 2, 2017
No problem - you can bring your camera. Have a great trip 😉
Written September 3, 2017
We are on a tour tomorrow and looking at the photos of the boat will we be able to bring our camera or should we assume very wet conditions for passengers. Thanks
Written September 2, 2017
Yes you can bring your camera! There is dry storage underneath the seat :)
Written September 2, 2017
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