Whale Watching in Vancouver: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
I’ll admit it: before my first time whale watching in Vancouver, I secretly expected a humpback whale to leap dramatically out of the water ten minutes after leaving the harbour. Instead, I spent the first couple of hours scanning the horizon, questioning my eyesight, and wondering if every distant splash was a whale spout. Then it happened. Two massive humpbacks swam up to our boat, one of them surfacing within a few feet of us. I was able to make direct eye contact with the one the came closest to our boat. I swear, it was an out of body experience. Suddenly every minute of waiting felt worth it.
Whale watching in Vancouver is one of those experiences that teaches you patience, rewards you with incredible wildlife encounters, and reminds you just how wild and untamed the Salish Sea really is. Whether you’re hoping to spot humpbacks, orcas, or simply spend a day out on the water, here’s everything you need to know before booking a tour.
What types of whales can you see in Vancouver?
There are 5 types of whales that you can encounter around Vancouver: humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, minke whales and the harbour porpoise.
Humpback Whales
Thanks to a remarkable population recovery and an abundance of food in the Salish Sea, humpbacks now spend much of the summer feeding in local waters, making them a common sight for whale watchers.
Humpback whales are also easier to locate, as they typically feed near the surface of the water. They may be lunge feeding, fin slapping or tail fluking right before they dive down deep. The most common way to spot them is by the mist of water from their blow hole as they come up for air. Humpbacks will also feed in the same area for days or weeks at a time, so their locations are a bit more predictable.
Orcas
Orcas, on the other hand, are much more elusive. Resident orcas are in decline due to significant stress from over fishing on their primary food source: salmon. Transient orcas on the other hand are constantly on the move up and down the coast. So it is very likely they will be far away from whale watching routes, and a sighting would be very lucky.
Gray Whales and Minke Whales
While it’s possible to see these whales in the Salish Sea, they are even more rare than humpbacks or orcas.
Grey whales migrate from Mexico to Alaska every spring, but most bypass the Salish Sea. While minke whales live in the Salish Sea year-round, their numbers are in significant decline and a sighting would be extremely rare. They are small, solitary whales and research suggests only about 30–40 individuals regularly use the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound region.
Harbour Porpoise
Many people might not know that the Salish Sea is home to the harbour porpoise. These small, shy marine mammals live in local waters year-round and are often spotted surfacing briefly before disappearing beneath the waves. Our guide likened them to a shooting star – you will see them quickly jump out of the water, never to be seen surfacing again.
Other Creatures
You are almost guaranteed to see pinnipeds, aka seals and sea lions, on your whale watching trip. The crew knows where they like to hang out and will bring the boat around to their favourite rock in the middle of the ocean so you can get a good look.
You may also get the chance to spot eagles and a variety of sea birds, including cormorants and alcids (the pacific cousin to the puffin).
When is the best time to go whale watching in Vancouver?
The best time to go whale watching in Vancouver is between the months of May and October, when seasonal migrations bring them to the British Columbia coast.
| Species | Best Time to See Them | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Humpback Whales | June – November | The most commonly spotted large whale on Vancouver whale watching tours. Peak sightings are usually July through September. |
| Orcas | May – September | Resident and transient orcas can be seen throughout the season, though sightings are less predictable than humpbacks. |
| Gray Whales | March – May | Most often seen during their northbound migration. |
| Minke Whales | June – September | Less common and often harder to spot because of their small size and brief surfacing behaviour. |
| Harbour Porpoises | Year-round | Present throughout the year in local waters and sometimes seen during whale watching tours. |
| Sea Lions and Seals | Year-round | Guaranteed sightings of sea lions on every whale watching tour. |
What are the best tours to do whale watching in Vancouver?
The two main whale watching tour operators in Vancouver are Prince of Whales and Wild Whales Vancouver. Both have excellent ratings on Google and offer a variety of vessels to choose from. Each vessel provides a completely unique experience, so I recommend looking at each carefully to consider the best option for you and your group.
Vessel Types
Zodiac Boats
Zodiacs are small, open-air inflatable boats that sit low to the water and travel at higher speeds. They offer a more adventurous experience and can cover greater distances quickly, but expect a bumpier ride and exposure to the elements. You may also be able to get closer to the whales compared to some of the bigger boats. Waterproof suits are typically provided.
Covered Boats
Covered vessels are larger and offer both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. They provide a more comfortable ride, onboard washrooms, and protection from wind and rain, making them a good choice if you have kids with you or prefer more comfort.
Semi-Covered Catamarans
Some operators use catamarans that combine the stability of a larger vessel with mostly outdoor viewing decks. These boats tend to offer a good balance between comfort and unobstructed wildlife viewing.
Private Charters
Private charters provide a more personalized experience with smaller group sizes and flexible itineraries. While they are significantly more expensive, they can be a great option for photographers, families, or anyone looking for a more exclusive tour.
My whale watching experience
I’ve gone whale watching twice in Vancouver, both times with Prince of Whales on their catamaran boat which offers both indoor and outdoor viewing. They have two departure points, Coal Harbour and Granville Island. I’ve departed from both of them and don’t have any preference, so I would say book the location most convenient for you.
There will be a lot of people on the boat, so make sure you are near the front of the line to board so that you can get to pick your seat. Get there early so you can beat the crowd. The top floor deck is the most popular and the first seats to get taken as people board. A seat at the front is a great viewing point, but it can be blasted by wind so keep that in mind. Once everyone is aboard and the crew goes through the safety rules, you are free to roam around the ship, even if it is moving.
The boat itself is very spacious, with a small cafe on board selling snacks (chocolate bars and chips) and giving out free coffee, tea and hot chocolate. There are also 2 bathrooms onboard.
Don’t expect to see whales the moment you leave the harbour. On both of my tours, it took roughly two hours before we encountered our first whale. Operators share sightings over a dedicated radio network, but finding whales still requires a bit of patience and a lot of searching. They ask you to pitch in as well, offering a free candy bar to the first person who spots a whale.
They usually bring you to a rocky outcrop by the sunshine coast to spot some sea lions lazing around in a large colony. Did you know there’s a term for when a seal or sea lion “walks” on land? It’s called galumphing!
In my first whale watching experience, we were incredibly lucky to have sighted a couple of friendly and curious humpback whales. They slowly came over to our boat and one of them stuck their head out of the water to get a good look at us. It was one of the most incredible wildlife experiences I had ever had in my life. Making eye contact with a humpback whale is not something I will ever forget. Unfortunately we were a little late to capture the entire moment on camera, but you can see how close they were from the video below.
On my second whale watching trip, after a couple of hours of searching we had spotted a humpback feeding, however, it was very far away and all we saw was a blowhole or two. The team wanted to find us some more action, so we headed towards another humpback that was apparently more interesting. After 30 minutes of driving to the new location, we spotted the humpback named Zig Zag who was lunge feeding in the most beautifully green water. It created a nice contrast so we were able to get a better look at the whale, especially as he lunged his body out of the water as he was snatching up his lunch.
There was a dedicated wildlife photographer on board with a giant zoom lens, making sure that you will leave the whale watching tour with quality photos. I really appreciate how it’s all included in the price of your ticket! They also provide you with a map showing exactly where you traveled, where you saw the whales and which whales you saw.
Overall, both experiences were incredible and have made memories for a lifetime. Even if you don’t see any whales up close, the experience of boating around the Salish Sea is a fun one.
