Canada · WHALE WATCHING TOURS

Whale Watching in Canada: The 15 Best Trips

26 tours  ·  from $95 a head

Two entirely different oceans, two entirely different animals. These 15 compare the Pacific orca and humpback runs out of Vancouver and Victoria with the beluga and fin-whale boats on the St Lawrence, on price, boat type and season.

Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - What you might see beyond whales
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Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

1.Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,000 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $193Our pick

See whales, orcas, seals, sea lions, and eagles on a comfortable Vancouver catamaran cruise with naturalist guides and free wildlife photos.

“Most whale watching tours were canceled due to rough seas. Our boat was very stable and comfortable even with the swells. Staff was excellent and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.”

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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour - Choosing between Tadoussac and Baie-Sainte-Catherine
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - What the catamaran feels like on the water
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Vancouver: Covered Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - The catamaran makes rougher water easier
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Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

4.Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,259 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $154

Review of Victoria’s 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise, with heated cabin, expert naturalists, free wildlife photos, and a whale sightings guarantee.

“Amazing experience with Captain Francois, First Mate Taylor and our wildlife guides Reid, Michael and Jessy. Great boat, great explanations from the wild life guides, a wonderful experience and they take the pictures for you.”

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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour - Three hours between river and fjord
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

5.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,179 reviews · 3 hours · from $122

Cruise the Saguenay and St. Lawrence for three hours of whale watching, bilingual guiding, fjord views, indoor comfort, and a whale guarantee.

“We drove from Quebec to Baie Sainte Catherine so we could have the early visit. The weather was fine, people at the kiosk, the parking and the boat were friendly. The naturiste entertained us during the whole trip while looking for wales. This was a top 3 bucket list wish for me and my wife and we got way more than we expected… Thanks!”

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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure - Finding orcas, humpbacks, and minke whales
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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip - The three-hour ride through Charlevoix
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From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

7.Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 863 reviews · 11 hours · from $186

Review of Quebec City’s 11-hour whale watching trip, with boat or Zodiac options, Charlevoix scenery, practical tips, costs, and food advice.

“we saw 3 different species of whales, a beautiful and stunning landscape along the way and had a very nice and funny guide (Patricia) thanks for the great experience”

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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise - Bay Bulls and Bull Head: the first coastal views
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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

8.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 837 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94Best value

Cruise from Bay Bulls into Witless Bay Reserve for puffins, whales, icebergs, local music, and clear North Atlantic viewing tips.

“We saw a mother and calf humpback whales. Lovely gift shop there . Totally awesome experience! You should definitely plan to do this!”

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Vancouver's Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience - The real search across the Salish Sea
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Vancouver’s Intimate West Coast Whale Watching Experience

Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel - What happens during the three-hour trip
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Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

10.Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 482 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $136

Review of Victoria’s covered-vessel whale watching tour, with practical advice on wildlife, comfort, guides, weather, price, and booking.

“It was a great trip and we saw whales which was really exciting. The crew members were really friendly and me and my mom were really happy with the whole trip. What I would recommend is to bring a water resistant jacket because you can get really wet on top of the boat.”

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Victoria Whale Watch Tour - The wildlife search, from first fin to final sighting
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Victoria Whale Watch Tour

11.Victoria Whale Watch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 458 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $126

Search for orcas and humpbacks from Victoria on a comfortable 60-foot cruiser with naturalists, hot drinks, and helpful wildlife tips.

“Thought this would just be a shot in the dark, but ended up seeing two separate Orca pods. I would suggest using whale watching in Victoria over Juneau if you are on a cruise. As you will see plenty of Humpbacks from your ship. In Victoria it seems the ability to see orca is greater.”

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Vancouver Sunset Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - The ride out: scenery, geology, and anticipation
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Vancouver Sunset Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Tour - The two-hour search through the marine park
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Tour

13.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 437 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $101

Compare Tadoussac whale watching by boat or Zodiac, with bilingual guides, fjord views, a whale guarantee, and practical tips for choosing well.

“The most memorable experience was to see whales close to the boat while we were cruising. Thanks so much”

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From Victoria: Whale Watching Trip on Covered Boat - The first search across the Salish Sea
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From Victoria: Whale Watching Trip on Covered Boat

14.Whale Watching Trip on Covered Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 427 reviews · 3 hours · from $132

Cruise Victoria’s Salish Sea with marine naturalists, hot drinks, indoor viewing, free photos, and a whale sighting guarantee.

“The experience is really good my kids love it the team are very awesome. Liam, Jake and i forgot the captain are so amazing.. they really take time bring us to the area where we can see the orca, sealions and many other creatures.. we love so much is the boat we have the option to stay on deck or inside the boat with free coffee and hot chocolate.. thanks again guyz our family really enjoyed it.”

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Québec City: Whale Watching Tour with Bus Transportation - What you might see on the St. Lawrence
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Québec City: Whale Watching Tour with Bus Transportation

15.Whale Watching Tour with Bus Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 426 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $191

Spend a full day from Québec City watching whales in the St. Lawrence, with scenic bus transport, naturalist commentary, and a choice of boat or Zodiac.

“Not worthy. No whales at all. Just a route filled of water and mountains. No good service and no snacks.”

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