Standing on the deck of a boat just outside Victoria, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but within the first stretch out on the water, that changed fast. A humpback surfaced in the distance, followed not long after by a pod of orcas cutting through the water. Add in sea lions hauled out along the rocks, and it quickly turned into one of those experiences I won’t soon forget.
I booked my tour with Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours, and what stood out right away was how easy everything felt from the harbour departure to the way the guides explained what we were seeing without overcomplicating it. There was plenty of time on the water to actually enjoy the wildlife rather than just chasing sightings.
If you’re visiting Victoria and wondering whether whale watching is worth it, or which of the Whale Watching tours in Victoria to choose, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect based on my experience and help you find the best option to book for your trip.
My Whale Watching Experience in Victoria BC
Ready to book your Whale Watching Tour in Victoria? This whale-watching tour is very popular. The tour includes a guided boat ride, with sea lion and whale watching viewing.
Best for: First-time visitors, families, and people who love wildlife viewing
Top tour: Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife
Wildlife seen: Orcas, humpbacks, sea lions
Duration: Half-day
Why I Chose Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours
- They depart from historic Fisherman’s Wharf, an easy walk from my hotel in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. There is paid parking if you choose to drive. Lots of restaurants for pre- or post-tour meal
- They have different types of boats, but I took the open boat option, which carries 26 passengers plus the driver and guide. Also, there was a washroom on board.
- A very well-informed guide
- Not only did it include the main event of seeing the whales, but the sea lions as well
- They guarantee that you will see whales or get a free trip. Because on my tour, we saw lots of whales, I did not test that out
- They provide use of hats, gloves, blankets, and sunscreen on board. While I didn’t use any of these, many of the other guests did
- After the trip, they sent a few photos of what we saw (no charge)
- High number of five-star reviews
- They have received a large number of awards
- Communication in advance about what to expect, how to dress, etc.
The Tour Experience Step-by-Step
At their office on Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria Harbour, you get outfitted with the heavy jackets and pants, followed by a briefing.
I was taking the afternoon tour, which was delayed due to the late return of the morning cruise. Not an issue, as they still provided a 4-hour cruise once we departed.
After leaving Victoria Harbour, we headed out on the Salish Sea and off to the left and a fair distance away, we could see a whale breaching. Our guide said we could do better, and we continued our voyage and ignored that whale.
He was right, a short distance along, we saw about 3 pods of humpback whales, which we stopped to view. The boat has a viewing platform at the back, and many of the passengers headed that way. The numerous humpbacks were all around our boat, some breaching, some jumping, and others just blowing air. We were stopped for a while to view and take photos.
We continued our voyage to see some Orca, a mother with some young ones. We had passed these orcas on the way out, but as there were a lot of other whale watching boats, we went to the humpbacks first. Smart move as there were not as many boats where we viewed the whales.
The Orca came up quite close, and many took photos from the viewing platform. As the Orca were moving, we slowly followed the family.
On to the Trial Islands Lighthouse area, where a series of islands host hundreds of California Sea Lions. Many were just resting, some were in the water, and others seemed to be arguing about something.
We parked the boat between 2 of the islands, the largest of which had the lighthouse. I found it very smelly, and the sea lions were very loud. It still was an enjoyable stop.
What I Saw: Orcas, Humpbacks, and Sea Lions
On this voyage, I saw lots of Humpbacks, a family of Orcas, up real close. Also, we saw California Sea Lions, but Steller Sea Lions can also be seen sometimes. The Orca was particularly interesting as the mother got right alongside our boat.
Eagle Wing Tours also operates birding cruises.
I like viewing wildlife, and I also took the Grizzly Bear tour from Campbell River, just up the coast.
Is Whale Watching in Victoria Worth It
I loved this whale watching tour in Victoria and would do it again. Sitting in the next row on the boat was a young family, and the kids were asking their parents if they could go again before we even finished this cruise.
Not only did we see lots of whales, but the sea lions and the interesting scenery along the Bay. The guide mentioned they don’t always do the same route; it depends on where they feel they will find the whales.
I was on a Vancouver Island tour, and some of my friends had decided to take the whale watching cruises in Tofino and Campbell River. It turned out I made the right choice as I saw more whales.
Best Whale Watching Tours in Victoria BC
Top Pick Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tour
Whale watching is good for those who not only want to view the whales but also other wildlife, such as sea lions as well.
So first timers will enjoy this, but I had also gone on the Tadoussac Whale Watching Cruise in Quebec. I enjoyed the scenery better on this one, and seeing the sea lions was a bonus.
The guide was a well-informed naturalist and, during the voyage, loved talking about the whales. While I took my own photos, I appreciated that after the trip, they forwarded photos of our cruise at no charge.
I liked that this was an open boat, large enough to move around and to support a viewing platform at the back and had a washroom, yet there were only 26 passengers.
Co-owners Brett Soberg and Don Stewart have built a legacy of education, conservation, and sustainable tourism since acquiring the company in 2005.
Check the current Victoria Whale Watching Tour availability with Eagle Wing Tours.
Best Zodiac Whale Watching Tour
Some people prefer whale watching in a zodiac. The advantages are that it is more adventurous and you are closer to the water. The disadvantage is that you cannot move around, and there is no washroom.
Prince of Whales and Orca Spirit Adventures offer Zodiac Whale Watching Cruises.
Best Covered Boat Tour
Orca Spirit Adventures covered vessel option with viewing from outside and inside the boat. This offers comfort and is great for families. They also have on-board drinks and snacks available for purchase.
Best Luxury Catamaran Option
Sail aboard a luxurious, spacious catamaran with Prince of Whales Cruises, with viewing from the open sun decks or stay protected from the spray in the heated indoor cabin. There are two washrooms on board.
Best Time for Whale Watching in Victoria
I went in early September and saw lots of whales and took the afternoon cruise, but no specific time is better than others as whales are active throughout the day
Peak Season – from mid-July until mid-September, you can expect to see the resident Orcas and humpbacks. While from May to November, expect to see Humpback and transient Orcas. In September and October, you may spot both humpbacks and killer whales.
Shoulder Season – is March and April. Ideal for spotting gray whales as they migrate north along the coast.
Off-Season – runs from November to February, and chances are good that you will see whales. There are fewer tours, and it will be much colder during the cruise. Some operators have birding cruises at this time.
Tips Before You Book a Whale Watching Tour
- Dress warmly – as the water temperature can be 15 degrees cooler. On my cruise, we were also given bulky jackets and pants to wear over our sweaters or light outer jackets. You should be wearing long pants, not shorts.
- Also bring – a torque, gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen, although Eagle Wing lets you borrow some if you didn’t bring your own.
- Footwear – wear closed-toe shoes, no flip-flops or sandals.
- Type of boat – decide if you want an open boat, a covered boat, or a Zodiac
- Book early – these cruises sell out, particularly in the summer months.
- Seeing Victoria – besides seeing the city, you may want to consider some of the other Victoria activities.
- Vancouver Island whale-watching – there are tours in many towns, including Sooke, Nanaimo, Campbell River, and Tofino, if you are visiting Pacific Rim National Park. There are other outdoor adventures all around the island.
FAQs About Victoria Whale Watching
Are whale sightings guaranteed?
Many of the operators offer guaranteed sightings, or you get another free cruise.
How close do you get to the whales?
How close to the whales will vary day to day, but we had an Orca come right alongside our boat. Some of the humpbacks were not far either.
How safe are these whale cruises?
You do receive a safety briefing prior to departure, and the staff are always watching to ensure everyone is okay. I felt very safe.
Final Thoughts: Should You Book a Whale Watching Tour in Victoria
For me, this was a bucket list trip, and seeing the whales and sea lions up close was a joy. I will do it again the next time I am in Victoria. For me, this was part of a Vancouver Island Road trip to include other wildlife.
Book your whale watching tour or other Vancouver Island Day tours from Victoria in advance, as they do sell out fast.
