Mackay Whale Watching
Mackay Whale Watching
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About
During this global Covid 19 pandemic, we are doing our utmost to ensure the safety of our guests and crew, employing thorough cleaning protocols, poly barriers and physical distancing. At the present time, we are taking reservations from residents of British Columbia only, and will take reservations from other Provinces and countries when health authorities deem it is safe to do so. In order to further limit exposure, our trips this year will be three hours in duration and will not include lunch. All guests and crew will be required to wear masks during the tour. If you cannot provide your own mask, let us know. The cost per person is $130.00 (plus 5% GST). Preferred payment method is email money transfer to, once again, limit exposure for both guests and staff. We will not be able to run our tours on a daily basis and will be running twice a week (to start with), on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Trips depart at 1:00 pm and will return to the dock at 4:00 p.m.
Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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(54 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
251 reviews
Excellent
233
Very good
15
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Fiona D
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Brilliant day with people who know the area like the backs of their hands. Fun,not preachy. Very knowledgeable but chilled and happy. We saw loads of whales and loads of adorable sea otters. Great boat with not too many people.
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.
Vicki C
Vancouver Island, Canada34 contributions
Aug. 2023
We have been on many whale watching trips over the years but this was our first with Mackays. What an amazing experience- boat was comfortable and spacious and there was plenty of room for everyone to see the whales when they came past. They only do one trip a day so they are not hurrying up to get back to base. Very knowledgeable captain. We were so lucky to see a whole raft of sea otters chilling in the kelp. We saw lots of orca too! Humpbacks, sea lions, dolphins and Dalls porpoise …oh and not forgetting the bald eagle and nest. I would definitely recommend them.
Written August 27, 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.
sidocean
Germany22 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Couples
The absolute best whale watching tours you can get are with Bill and his amazing Crew out of Port McNeill! The stories and knowledge they share with us while we're surrounded by stunning wildlife activities are fascinating. Bill is a legend and makes sure to approach the animals with caution and gives them enough space, which is important to me. One of the best places in the world for seeing Orcas and Humpback whales. Also sea lions, bald eagles and sea otters! You have to accept you're spoiled after being on these tours :P :)
Written October 11, 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.
sleepybexhill
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK1,541 contributions
Sep. 2022 • Couples
We did a 4 hour whale watching trip. The only downside was not seeing orca, which had left the area, but the company couldn’t do anything about that. What we did see was thirteen humpbacks and loads of sea otters. An excellent, informative trip in a good, stable boat.
Written September 25, 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.
Peter N
62 contributions
Sep. 2022 • Couples
The whale watching tour was amazing. They managed to show us a massive pod of Pacific white sided dolphins, sea otter (a raft of 35), Dall's porpoise, humpback whales (must have been over 10 individuals), Stella sea lions, harbour seals, and loads of sea birds including phalarope, Shearwaters, and bald eagle. Weather was also perfect which always helps! Guide was very informative/ knowledgeable and helpful.
Written September 10, 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.
Linda A
Port McNeill, Canada2 contributions
Sep. 2022 • Solo
Went on the 4 hour whale watching tour yesterday and was not disappointed! We were surrounded by northern residents, humpbacks, porpoises, otter & finally stellar sea lions. It was and is an amazing experience being on the water surrounded by the beauty of wildlife. Marijke (sp?), John & of course Bill are so knowledgeable and make everyone of their guests feel welcome & safe. Bill has been doing this for 42 years and has immense knowledge. I highly recommend this tour company.
Written September 3, 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.
Nadja Sophie
5 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Friends
It was great! We saw three types of whales, sea lions and sea otters. All in all it was an amazing experience.
Written August 31, 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.
Gudrun Schmidt-Größle
1 contribution
Aug. 2022
It was the best tour I ever had.
About three hours orcas and humpbacks around us, in silent, with a beautiful scenery. They explained a lot and it was very interesting to listen. Great!!!!
Gudrun from Germany
About three hours orcas and humpbacks around us, in silent, with a beautiful scenery. They explained a lot and it was very interesting to listen. Great!!!!
Gudrun from Germany
Written August 25, 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.
Nancy
1 contribution
Jul. 2022
Our whale watching excursion aboard the Naiad was “ first class”! We saw humpbacks, orcas, porpoises, sea otters and beautiful scenery.. Captain Bill and Marika were such enthusiastic and knowledgeable hosts. We learned so much about marine wildlife. Thank you! We will definitely be recommending MacKay Whale Watching to friends and family ( as a matter of fact, we already have!) .
Written August 23, 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.
Dendroctonus
Victoria Capital Regional District, Canada164 contributions
Jul. 2022
A lovely afternoon on the water with otters, whales, porpoise and entertaining hosts. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon with McKay, the driver and interpreter were full of great information and enthusiasm.
These guys have provided whale watching on the north island for many decades and that experience shows. Great vessel and deeply knowledgeable.
Highly recommended.
These guys have provided whale watching on the north island for many decades and that experience shows. Great vessel and deeply knowledgeable.
Highly recommended.
Written August 2, 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.
wendysLantzville
lantzville4 contributions
What length is your season of operation
wanderwoman50
Belleville, Canada121 contributions
Be sure to use this operation. It was the highlight of our trip
broomee
Gold Coast31 contributions
Is there much area on the outer decks for photographing the whales?
IrishOrcaGirl
Victoria, Canada37 contributions
Yes. The boat is perfect for Whale Watching. It has a large upper deck with seats and standing room and a spacious back deck too. It also has a washroom and a heated inside cabin. They also provide lunch!
Wayne D
Parksville, Canada5 contributions
What is the time of departure for the Whale watching trip
IrishOrcaGirl
Victoria, Canada37 contributions
10am
Heather W
4 contributions
how much is this tour
Tours are $130 per person. Tax and lunch included; and the tour is 4-5 hours generally. :)
