How to Plan the Perfect Whale Watching Trip from Vancouver
Is it Worth Going Whale Watching from Vancouver?
During my trip to Vancouver, I was considering going whale watching, and asked myself the question, “Is it worth going whale watching from Vancouver?” Before my trip, I had spent a decent amount of time researching various options for going whale watching from Vancouver. One of the companies, Vancouver Whale Watch, said on their website that they have a 95% success rate. In addition to a high success rate, Vancouver Whale Watch has a guarantee that if you do not see any whales, you can go on another whale-watching cruise for free until you do see a whale.
This guarantee is good for life, so even if you fail to see a whale during your trip, you are welcome to return years later and take advantage of the whale sighting guarantee.
Knowing all of the information mentioned above, I decided that it was definitely worth going whale watching from Vancouver and booked my trip with the company Vancouver Whale Watch.
How to Go Whale Watching from Vancouver - Table of Contents
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How to Book a Whale Watching Tour from Vancouver
There are multiple options for booking tickets to go whale watching from Vancouver. Visitors can purchase tickets directly from various ticket kiosks in Vancouver, including the one in front of Canada Place. Tickets can also be purchased online, which in my opinion, is the easiest way to buy your Vancouver Whale Watching tickets. As stated earlier, I chose to book my whale-watching tour with Vancouver Whale Watch due to their high success rate and whale sighting guarantee.
The cost of a tour with Vancouver Whale Watch is expensive, with an adult ticket costing C$165. In addition to the cost of the ticket, you will likely need to purchase a roundtrip shuttle ticket to the departure point in Steveston. The cost of the shuttle is C$15.75 per person and includes roundtrip transportation from downtown Vancouver to Steveston.
Below is a link where you can purchase your ticket through Viator. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator and will receive a small commission if you purchase your ticket using my link. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
For my whale-watching experience, I booked both the whale-watching cruise and the shuttle. The shuttle picked me up at Canada Place and drove me to Vancouver Whale Watch’s office in Steveston, BC. Once I arrived at the office, I was able to check in and was given a paper ticket to board the boat. From the office, it was about a five-minute walk to Fisherman’s Wharf, where the whale-watching cruise departed.
What Will You See on a Vancouver Whale Watching Tour?
Whale-watching tours from Vancouver depart from Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston, British Columbia. During my whale-watching tour, Vancouver Whale Watch had tour boats departing from the harbor. I was assigned to the boat, the Explorer Express, which was covered by removable windows to help protect against cold temperatures.
As we set to depart from the harbor in Steveston, BC, our guide Joan began telling us about the wildlife that we would soon have an opportunity to see. Joan claimed that we would likely see humpback whales, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and snow geese. Obviously, whales were what we were targeting, but throughout the whale-watching tour, there would be opportunities to see other animals as well.
Viewing California and Steller Sea Lions During a Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver
We were barely out of the harbor before we saw our first animals. Although this was a whale-watching cruise from Vancouver, we had been told we would likely see other animals, including sea lions. As the boat slowed down, a bunch of Steller and California Sea Lions came into view.
I had a difficult time telling the difference between the California and Steller Sea Lions. Our guide, Joan, said that the Steller Sea Lions are much bigger in size and lighter in color. My captions on the photos in this section may confuse the two types of sea lions.
Our whale-watching tour from Vancouver was off to a great start. We had barely even left the harbor and had already seen two types of amazing wildlife.
After about 10 minutes of interaction with the sea lions, we left the harbor rocks behind and went in search of whales; after all, this was a Vancouver whale-watching tour.
Viewing Humpback Whales During a Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver
After viewing the California and Steller Sea Lions, we left the harbor and started heading out into the open waters of the Strait of Georgia. Within a few minutes, our guide notified the captain that there was a report of multiple Humpback Whales just to the north. We set out in that direction, and after about 45-minutes of driving, we saw a humpback whale break the surface about 200 yards from the boat.
Joan explained that typically, the Humpback Whales break the surface four or five times before diving down into the deeper waters to eat. She said that when we saw the whale’s tail hit the water, we knew it was diving. After the whale dove into the deeps, it would take around eight to ten minutes to return to the surface for air.
These photos were all taken using a 200 mm zoom lens. Only once did one of the whales surface within 50 yards of the boat. Joan explained that she could identify the whales based on their markings and that the first whale we interacted with was nicknamed “Cassiopia.”
After about 20-minutes of interacting with Cassiopia, Joan saw a pair of Humpback Whales about 500 yards to the south. We said goodbye to Cassiopia and slowly approached the pair of Humpback Whales.
The photo below shows two Humpback whales nicknamed “Chinook” and “Zig Zag.” These two whales swam together, and Joan thought it was likely that Zig Zag was pregnant.
In all, we spent about 90-minutes interacting with the three whales. Although none of them jumped out of the water, we did get to hear them shoot air out of their blowhole multiple times. It was the first time I’d ever seen a whale in the wild and thought it was an amazing experience that I highly recommend.
Viewing Harbor Seals During a Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver
After viewing the Humpback Whales, it was safe to say that our whale-watching cruise from Vancouver was a complete success. On our way back to the harbor, we stopped at a rock island to observe some Harbor Seals. The Harbor Seals were relaxing on the rocks and spent some time barking at our boat.
Viewing Bald Eagles During a Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver
As we came back into the harbor, we were treated to two additional animal sightings. First, a pair of Bald Eagles were nesting high on a light platform. While it is common to see Bald Eagles in my home state of Minnesota, many of the people aboard the whale-watching cruise had never seen a Bald Eagle before.
Viewing Snow Geese During a Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver
The final animals that we observed during our whale-watching tour from Vancouver was a flock of Snow Geese. Joan explained that these geese breed in Siberia, Northern Canada, and Greenland and then migrate south during the winter.
Non-Animals - Ships, Downtown Vancouver, the Lions Gate Bridge, and Homes - Seen During a Vancouver Whale-Watching Tour
Throughout the whale-watching cruise, we also saw quite a few non-animals. Below is a cargo ship that was being pulled by a tugboat.
Right before we viewed the whales, there was a nice view of the Lions Gate Bridge.
Although it was slightly cloudy and hazy, downtown Vancouver was visible as well.
At one point, a BC Ferry came very close to us.
Our captain did a nice job avoiding sailboats that were out enjoying the warm afternoon.
On the way back to the harbor, we drove past some large houses that were right on the water. Joan pointed out that one of the houses had a glass elevator.
Near the Point Atkinson Lighthouse, rock climbers were looking to get a great view from high atop a rock.
Below is a Maersk Line ship very similar to one that I saw a few summers ago going through the Panama Canal. I wonder if this ship went through the Panama Canal as well.
Right as we were returning to the harbor, a large Seaspan ferry came within about 50 yards of us.
Other Whale Watching Tours and Packages from Vancouver/Victoria
I chose to go with Vancouver Whale Watch, which is the company posted to the right. I thought their service was wonderful and highly recommend them for your Vancouver whale-watching tour.
If you prefer a different company, I have posted a few additional packages below. All of these companies depart from the Vancouver/Victoria area.
Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase one of these packages using my link, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.