Canada · VANCOUVER ISLAND TOURS

Top 11 Vancouver Island Tours

11 tours  ·  from $64 a head

The 11 best vancouver island tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise - The first search: Victoria’s coastal waters
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching, Wildlife

Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

1.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,729 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146Our pick

Search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, otters, and bald eagles on a guided 3.5-hour Victoria cruise with free return if no whales appear.

“Well run / organized. Enjoyed the everyday / casual delivery of all for enjoyment of all. Derick was our primary guy at the front- Tom, Katie, Mel and Captain Jeff did everything to make for an enjoyable day in the harbor!”

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Cowichan Bay: Half-Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure - Meeting the crew at 1721 Cowichan Bay Road
Tour Reviews, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching, Wildlife

Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

2.Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

Spend four hours from Cowichan Bay seeking orcas, humpbacks, seals, and eagles with a small-group captain-naturalist.

“It was really awesome. The captain and co-captain really knew how to spot the wildlife and were clearly passionate and well informed about them, sharing facts along the way. 10/10 would visit again!”

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Great Bears of Bute: Grizzly Bear Viewing & Indigenous Cultural Tour - Orford Bay puts you in real grizzly country
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vancouver Island Tours

Great Bears of Bute: Grizzly Bear Viewing & Indigenous Cultural Tour

3.Great Bears of Bute: Grizzly Bear Viewing & Indigenous Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 336 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $457

See grizzlies, whales, and salmon on a Homalco cultural tour from Campbell River, with Indigenous guides, lunch, and small-group bear viewing.

“what a fabulous day. The boat rode over was great as we stopped to see whales & seals with captain John. Deborah our guide was very knowledgeable about whales & bears & Tony our guide on the island was great. we had 10 sightings of 6 different bears including a mumma & cub. we're still bursting with joy❤️ thank you homalco”

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Vancouver Island Half-Day Whale Watching Tour - Telegraph Cove - Searching for orcas and humpback whales
Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Tours, Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island Half-Day Whale Watching Tour – Telegraph Cove

4.Vancouver Island Half-Day Whale Watching Tour – Telegraph Cove

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 333 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $153

Review of Telegraph Cove’s 3-hour whale watching tour, with orcas, humpbacks, sea otters, guides, costs, tips, and booking advice.

“Expectations were high and expectations were exceeded. we highly recommend this experience. We all appreciate the pictures that were taken by the professional staff, and passed on to us, which is included in the tour.”

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Victoria Sunset Whale-Watching Cruise - The open Scarab boat and the semi-covered option
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching

Victoria Sunset Whale-Watching Cruise

5.Victoria Sunset Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $138

Watch for orcas and humpbacks at sunset, stay warm in provided gear, and return through Victoria Harbour with city lights glowing.

“This boat is super smooth and fast. The naturalist on board was super knowledgeable. The team was friendly and polite. We saw a few humpbacks as well as some other wildlife”

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Vancouver Island Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure - Telegraph Cove - Three hours in Johnstone Strait
Tour Reviews, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Tours, Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure – Telegraph Cove

6.Vancouver Island Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure – Telegraph Cove

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $169

Ride a 12-passenger Zodiac from Telegraph Cove to seek orcas, humpbacks, seals, and sea lions in Johnstone Strait.

“An amazing trip, Scotty our guide was super helpful and informative. The suits were great as the weather was cool as the boat sped over the water. Saw humpbacks and orcas. A fabulous experience”

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Vancouver Island Multi-Cave Experience - Hiking through Pacific coastal rainforest
Tour Reviews, Vancouver Island Tours

Vancouver Island Multi-Cave Experience

8.Vancouver Island Multi-Cave Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 235 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $63Best value

Explore two caves at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park with a guide, forest hike, ladders, scrambles, and Canada's only Cave Slide.

“Had a great experience. Curtis was pleasant and knowledgeable. Thanks for being so friendly and knowledgeable.”

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Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour - Checking in 45 minutes before departure
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Tours, Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver Island

Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour

9.Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $187

Review of Nanaimo’s four-hour open-boat whale tour, with orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, warm suits, expert guides, and practical booking tips.

“Jordan and Rob were absolutely awesome! Brilliant experience - we saw 7 humpback whales and Jordan’s explanation of everything was superb!”

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Victoria BC: 3-Hour Whale Watching Expedition - What the three-hour route is really like
3-Hour Experiences, Tour Reviews, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Tours, Whale Watching Tours in Vancouver Island

Victoria BC: 3-Hour Whale Watching Expedition

10.Victoria BC: 3-Hour Whale Watching Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 177 reviews · 3 hours · from $130

Review of Victoria’s 3-hour whale watching cruise, with orcas, humpbacks, expert guides, catamaran comfort, price, access, and practical tips.

“We loved it. We were only a few days into the season and didn't see whales but it was already a gamble at that time. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and we had a great time even though we didn't see whales. They took great care to search and make sure we had a good time. We saw sea lions, harbor seals, and bald eagles.”

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Campbell River: Whales and Wildlife Boat Tour with Snacks - What the 30-foot boat means for your comfort
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vancouver Island Tours, Whale Watching, Wildlife

Campbell River: Whales and Wildlife Boat Tour with Snacks

11.Campbell River: Whales and Wildlife Boat Tour with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $160

Review of Campbell River’s four-hour whale and wildlife tour, with heated boat, snacks, expert captain, bears, eagles, whales, and more.

“The owner of the boat was very knowledgeable about the humpback whales we saw twice. As well as the sea lions. Unfortunately we didn't see any bears or Orca whales. But that part of Northern Vancouver Island is beautiful. Thanks for a great day.”

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