Whale watching Vancouver Island: these are the best spots

Whale watching off Vancouver Island should definitely be on your Canada bucket list! Vancouver Island is one of the best places in the world to watch whales in their natural habitat. Alongside orcas you can also see humpback whales and grey whales here – but not in every season and not in every place.

In this article we’ll therefore show you…

• the best places for whale watching and
• tell you which season you should be there!

With our free app you can discover the best whale watching hotspots and tours on Vancouver Island directly on your smartphone and plan them. Find suitable activities and save your favourite tours for an unforgettable road trip!

Which whales can you see off Vancouver Island?

Different species of whales live off the coast of British Columbia. These include humpback whales, grey whales and orcas. Orcas are often also called killer whales or sword whales. You’ll find some useful information on these fascinating whales here.

Orca

Humpback whale

Grey whale

Orcas off Vancouver Island

From Vancouver Island you can see two types of orca which differ mainly in their feeding behaviour:

• Resident orcas: The resident orcas feed mainly on fish, including salmon and herring. As they follow their prey, they appear each year in certain regions quite reliably.
• Transient orcas: The transient orcas on the other hand specialise in hunting mammals such as seals and whales. Compared to residents, their whereabouts are less predictable. They can appear around Vancouver Island at any time – or not at all.

If you spot an orca off Vancouver Island it will probably be a Northern or Southern resident. But where can you watch them best?

• Northern residents: In the north in the Johnstone Strait and Strait of Georgia.
• Southern residents: Between Victoria and Seattle (Salish Sea).

Humpback whales off Vancouver Island

Alongside the orcas there are also humpback whales off Vancouver Island. They are known for their long, complex songs.

Humpback whales follow well-researched migration routes every year. These are among the longest of all whale species.

• Alaska: Their feeding grounds are in the colder waters further north. There they find plenty of plankton, krill and small schooling fish, and they consume around 1,300 kg of these every day.
• Mexico: They prefer the southern, warmer waters for mating and raising their young.

On their way they pass the coasts of Vancouver Island. Some whales, however, also stay in the waters at these latitudes during the summer months and make Vancouver Island one of the best places for whale watching.

Grey whales off Vancouver Island

The grey whale is also a true long-distance swimmer. Every year it migrates back and forth between the warm waters off Mexico and the feeding grounds in the North Pacific.

On its migration along the west coast of North America the grey whale covers a distance of around 15,000 kilometres. Like the humpback whale, the grey whale therefore has one of the longest migration routes of all mammals.

Some grey whales like the food-rich waters off Vancouver Island so much that they stay there for the entire season.

Where can you watch whales on Vancouver Island?

Whale watching off Vancouver Island definitely belongs on your list. All around the island you can join a tour with a local operator. Depending on the place and the time of year you’ll see different whales. We’ll give you an overview.

Whale watching Tofino and Ucluelet

The first spot is on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The towns of Tofino and Ucluelet lie in Pacific Rim National Park and are an ideal place for a whale watching tour.

• These whales you can see: Tofino and Ucluelet are ideal places to see grey whales. You also see humpback whales from time to time and with a bit of luck transient orcas. The whale watching operators spot transient orcas roughly once a week.
• The best time: The whale season in this area runs from March to October and is therefore very long! With 20,000 grey whales the whale season kicks off in March when the marine mammals migrate from Mexico to Alaska. Some of the animals stay in this coastal region and can be seen throughout the season.
• Which operators are there? Under the slogan – Meet the Locals – there are several whale watching operators in Tofino. In Tofino and Ucluelet, for example, Jamie’s Whaling Station is based. We’ve had very good experiences with Jamie’s.
• Tip: In the app you can filter specifically by whale species – whether orca, humpback whale or grey whale – and you’ll be shown the best places and months for your trip. That way you’ll find not only the right spot but also sustainable operators who focus on respectful wildlife watching. Ideal for anyone who wants to travel responsibly and prefers discovering to endless searching.

The best spots in Tofino and Ucluelet

Hike through rainforest to a special whale watching spot

Experience grey whales on a boat tour

Hike along the rugged coastline and look out for grey whales

Tout : Tofino

Whale watching Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill

Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill lie in the north-east of the island and are not as busy with tourists. There’s really no reason for that though, as in our opinion Telegraph Cove and its neighbouring town of Port McNeill are the best bases for whale watching on Vancouver Island.

• These whales you can see: In Johnstone Strait off Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill several orca groups and many humpback whales live.
• The best time: humpback whales can best be seen between June and October. Orcas can be seen from the beginning of July to October.
• Which tour operators are there? In Port McNeill we can recommend Prince of Whales or Mackay Whale Watching for great whale watching. The German-speaking Rolf Hicker also offers tours with Vancouver Island Photo Tours. He is the right person to go to especially if you want a private tour and enjoy photography.
• Tip: We think whale watching tours are a real highlight and often worth every cent. But did you know that you can also watch some whales from land here? In the app we show you the best spots for this, including information on the right month to travel and the likelihood for each species.

The best spots in Port McNeill and Telegraph Cove

Meet majestic grizzly bears on a boat tour

Meet orcas at eye level

Watch orcas and humpback whales from a boat

Watch orcas and humpback whales passing by

Tout : Port McNeill

Whale watching Campbell River

Campbell River is only around 1.5 hours from Nanaimo – the place where the ferries from Vancouver arrive. This town is ideal for a whale watching tour.

• These whales you can see: From Campbell River you can see humpback whales and orcas particularly well.
• The best time: The humpback whales arrive from mid May and stay until mid October. The chances of seeing orcas are also very good from mid May to the end of September. The best months to see orcas are certainly July, August and September.
• Which tour operators are there? Here you have the operator Campbell River Whale Watching. We have had very good experiences with this operator.
• Tip: In the app you will find not only the best whale watching hotspots but also the right tour operators in Campbell River. Plan your whale watching tour directly in the app and save the operators for later – everything available offline!

The best spots in Campbell River

Explore the mysterious world of orcas and humpback whales on a boat tour

Tout : Campbell River

Whale watching Nanaimo

In under three hours you can cross straight from Vancouver to Nanaimo. And here your chances of spotting whales are good!

• These whales you can see: From Nanaimo you will mainly see transient orcas. Humpback whales are also relatively often part of the sightings.
• The best time: From April to October the tours from Nanaimo set off to look out for orcas and humpback whales.
• Which tour operators are there? Vancouver Island Whale Watch offers tours directly in Nanaimo.

Whale watching in Victoria

Victoria lies right in the south of Vancouver Island and is a popular starting point for whale watching tours. The Salish Sea is one of the most species-rich areas in the region and your chances of sightings are correspondingly good. However there is also more boat traffic here than in more remote places.

• These whales you can see: Around Victoria you can regularly observe transient orcas and humpback whales also appear frequently – especially near the southern Gulf Islands. The endangered Southern Residents have become rarer and are deliberately avoided by many operators.
• The best time: The season for whale watching in Victoria runs from April to October. You have particularly good chances of seeing transient orcas in summer, while humpback whales often pass by in spring and autumn.
• Which tour operators are there? One experienced local operator is Prince of Whales, which runs tours from the Inner Harbour in Victoria – also with a focus on responsible viewing. Also recommended is Eagle Wing Tours, which is heavily involved in environmental education and marine conservation.

Whale watching Vancouver and Granville Island

Vancouver and Granville Island are not on Vancouver Island but are still a good starting point for whale watching tours.

• These whales you can see: From Granville Island or Vancouver you head into the Salish Sea where orcas in particular live. Humpback whales are also relatively common. Grey whales are not seen very often in this region.
• The best time: The whale watching season in the waters between Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island is very long. From April to October you can see orcas and humpback whales, with humpback whales especially in spring and autumn.
• Which tour operators are there? Here we can recommend the operator Prince of Whales Whale Watching because they do not specifically search for the highly endangered Southern Residents but instead preferentially look for transient orcas and humpback whales.
• Tip: Depending on the month, your chances of seeing certain whale species change. In the app you can choose your month of travel and you will be shown exactly the spots where you can see orcas or humpback whales at the right time. This saves you lengthy research.

Whale watching Vancouver Island best time to travel

To make sure your whale watching tour is a success you should also take the time of year into account. Here you can find out when the best months for whale watching on Vancouver Island are.

Whale watching in March

The whale watching season starts in March with the arrival of the grey whales. In Tofino and Ucluelet their arrival is celebrated with the Whale Festival. If you want to go on a tour in March it is best to head to Tofino or Ucluelet.

In these places you can go on tour in March:

• Tofino and Ucluelet

Whale watching in April

In April the first humpback whales arrive on their migration from the south to the northern waters. The first orcas also appear. In Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo the first tours start in April.

In these places you can go on tour in April:

• Tofino and Ucluelet
• Victoria
• Vancouver or Granville Island
• Nanaimo

Whale watching in May

In Campbell River the whale season kicks off in May, when the first humpback whales are seen.

In these places you can go on tour in May:

• Campbell River
• Tofino and Ucluelet
• Victoria
• Vancouver or Granville Island
• Nanaimo

Whale watching in June

June is a good time to watch whales. From Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill you can already see humpback whales.

These are the places where you can go on a tour in June:

• Campbell River
• Tofino and Ucluelet
• Victoria
• Vancouver or Granville Island
• Nanaimo
• Telegraph Cover and Port McNeill

Whale watching in July

July is when the high season starts, as you can then watch whales everywhere off Vancouver Island. You can especially see orcas from Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill and Campbell River. Around Victoria and Vancouver you can see the most whales in July.

These are the places where you can go on a tour in July:

• Campbell River
• Tofino and Ucluelet
• Victoria
• Vancouver or Granville Island
• Nanaimo
• Telegraph Cover and Port McNeill

Whale watching in August

August is also the perfect time to watch whales. This applies to all places on Vancouver Island.

These are the places where you can go on a tour in August:

• Campbell River
• Tofino and Ucluelet
• Victoria
• Vancouver or Granville Island
• Nanaimo
• Telegraph Cover and Port McNeill

Whale watching in September

Your chances of seeing whales off Vancouver Island are still very good in September.

These are the places where you can go on a tour in September:

• Campbell River
• Tofino and Ucluelet
• Victoria
• Vancouver or Granville Island
• Nanaimo
• Telegraph Cover and Port McNeill

Whale watching in October

In October humpback whales and grey whales slowly start heading south again and leave these waters. The orcas can also no longer be reliably seen. The season is coming to an end.

These are the places where you can go on a tour in October:

• Campbell River
• Tofino and Ucluelet
• Victoria
• Vancouver or Granville Island
• Nanaimo
• Telegraph Cover and Port McNeill

Which boat is best for whale watching?

Almost all whale watching operators on Vancouver Island offer different types of boat. We’ll introduce the different boats so that you know what suits you best.

Whale watching off Vancouver Island by zodiac

The zodiac boats are fast, agile and simply bounce over the waves. If the sea is a bit rough you’ll definitely get some spray. To protect you from wind and water you’ll be lent a full body suit, which in itself is already quite a funny experience.

If you want to take a camera on board, we strongly recommend taking a protective bag with you (for example a dry bag).

About 12 people can fit on a zodiac, which means you’ll be travelling in a relatively small group.

Whale watching by boat

The somewhat calmer option is definitely a boat. Many operators even have boats in different sizes. The boats are often partly covered, so there is also an outside area. From there you’ll have a great view of the whales.

On a boat, taking photos is definitely easier and your camera is much better protected from spray. So if you enjoy photography, we would recommend choosing a boat.

Boats are also certainly the better choice for families with small children.

Whale watching off Vancouver Island by kayak

There is another way to watch whales. How about a kayak tour where you can watch these large marine animals?

The experience is particularly intense and there is probably no other way of seeing the marine animals in a gentler way. Even if you don’t see any whales, a kayak tour is well worth it for the beautiful scenery alone.

In the small village of Telegraph Cove you can join guided tours with North Island Kayak into Johnstone Strait, where orcas and humpback whales live. The length of the tours varies depending on what you prefer. There are 2 hour trips, half-day and full-day tours by kayak.

Costs of watching whales off Vancouver Island

The cost of whale watching varies depending on the length of the tour and the operator. To give you an idea of the cost, it’s best to budget for the following cost per person:

• 3 hours: approx. 90 EUR
• 6 hours: approx. 140 EUR
• Full-day tour (6-8 hours): from approx. 200 EUR

By the way, children under 12 usually pay a bit less.

Depending on the length of the tour, the price sometimes also includes a hot drink or snacks. You’ll find the exact details on the operators’ websites. Once you’ve found a suitable operator, you can find out more there.

If you aren’t lucky on a tour and don’t see any whales, many operators will offer you a voucher for another tour.

Eco-friendly whale watching

Whales are fascinating animals that urgently need protection. The Southern Residents, the orcas living in the southern waters of Vancouver Island, have never recovered from whaling. They are also exposed to heavy ship traffic. Today there are only 75 animals left, which is a shockingly low number.

When a whale is seen on a whale watching tour, its location is passed on to other tour operators. This does increase the chance of a sighting, but it also means that the whales are quickly surrounded by boats.

Why is whale watching still important?

We believe that watching whales should not just be an adventure, but should also serve a purpose, namely to raise awareness that whales are threatened by the decline in fish stocks and by various environmental impacts.

Watching whales can also help ensure that more people are willing to protect them. Some whale watching operators on Vancouver Island have therefore made it their mission to show people how much these animals need protecting.

How to choose a good operator

If this is important to you too, then when choosing an operator make sure that the guidelines for protecting whales are followed. According to the Canadian government and the organisation Be whale wise these are the key points:

• Orcas: The distance between a boat and the Southern Resident orcas must be at least 400 m – for other orcas it must be at least 200 m.
• Humpback and grey whales: The distance between a boat and humpback whales or grey whales must be at least 100 m.

To help you find this kind of operator, we have put together some suitable options for you here.

Recommended whale watching operators

So that you can keep an easy overview and at the same time make a good choice, we have put together two recommended operators for you:

• Vancouver Island Whale Watch (Nanaimo): This operator has chosen not to run tours to the endangered Southern Resident orcas. Instead, Vancouver Island Whale Watch specialises in watching transient orcas, which are very common in the area. You can also often see humpback whales on their tours.
• Mackay Whale Watching (Port McNeill): In the north of Vancouver Island, Mackay Whale Watching has designed its boat so that the underwater noise generated by the propellers and the engine is minimised. This reduces the impact on all marine life.

A free alternative: whale watching from land

Because whales search for food close to the coast, you have a good chance of watching whales from land. The best way is to scan the water surface for a spout. Gulls circling low over the water can sometimes also be a sign of whales.

We have picked out a few specific spots for you where whales are regularly seen from land. You can find them in our Canada Travel Guide or in the app.

Hike to an elevated viewpoint overlooking the Johnstone Strait

Watch orcas during an extraordinary ritual

Watch out for majestic grey whale spouts

Vancouver Island Orca Camp: kayaking with orcas

On Vancouver Island you can make a real lifelong dream come true: kayaking with orcas. Various operators offer multi-day kayak tours in the Johnstone Strait, where you can experience the whales’ habitat particularly intensely.

For your stay in the wilderness there are small camps right in the middle of the coastal rainforest. From there you head out onto the water every day to go kayaking and watch humpback whales or orcas. You don’t need any previous kayaking experience. The guides take good care of you and show you everything. We have written about our stay in one of these camps here: Kayaking with orcas on Vancouver Island.

Whale watching Vancouver Island tips and experiences

If you have decided to go whale watching on Vancouver Island, we would like to share a few tips and our experiences from our trips with you.

What time of day should you do the tour?

Many animals are best observed in their natural habitat early in the morning or in the evening, when they are most active. With whales it is a little easier, because there is no particular time of day that is especially good. You can therefore plan your whale watching tour on Vancouver Island quite flexibly.

Should you reserve a whale watching tour in advance?

If you are planning to go whale watching on Vancouver Island, then it is best to reserve the tour in advance. Tours are very popular in summer and therefore quickly booked out. We recommend booking a few days before your planned tour. You can often reserve tours online.

What should you take on the whale watching tour?

When it is finally time to head out, you should definitely take warm clothing with you. Most tours last around 3–6 hours. During this time the weather can change and even on warm days it can get quite chilly out on the water. It is best to wear long trousers and take a warm all-weather jacket with you.

We also recommend taking a pair of binoculars. This way you can watch the wildlife around you much better and who knows, maybe you will be the first to spot a whale. Binoculars are especially worthwhile if you want to watch whales from land.

Our conclusion on whale watching on Vancouver Island

The chances of seeing whales on Vancouver Island are really very good. We have already been on several tours on Vancouver Island and have always been lucky enough to encounter whales. It is always incredibly impressive to watch these animals in their natural habitat.

As well as whales you can also watch bears very well on the island. We reveal the best places for watching bears on Vancouver Island in this article. And if it is your dream to watch wildlife in the Rocky Mountains, then do read on here.

If you would like to see other wildlife on your trip, then have a look at the article Wildlife in Canada: the best places to see animals on your journey.

Otherwise we wish you lots of fun and unforgettable encounters with whales on Vancouver Island!

Have you ever been whale watching? Tell us about your experiences in the comments.