Trips & Rates
Every tour is different as we explore the Salish Sea in search of orca, humpback whales, porpoises, pinnipeds, seabirds and all other wildlife along the way! Whale sightings are guaranteed or your next trip is free.
Choose Your Adventure
For the curious adventurer looking to experience nature from the comfort of a protected space, while still having the option for unenclosed, outdoor viewing.
For the bold adventurer who prefers the unobstructed viewing of a zodiac but with a smoother ride similar to the sheltered vessel.
For the curious adventurer looking to experience nature from the comfort of a protected space, while still having the option for unenclosed, outdoor viewing.
For the bold adventurer who prefers the unobstructed viewing of a zodiac but with a smoother ride similar to the sheltered vessel.
For the fearless adventurer looking for the most immersive experience possible. With small tour sizes and views along the waterline, you’ll feel like you’re a part of the pod.
Departure Schedule
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| PARTLY SHELTERED | OPEN AIR | ZODIAC | |
| April 1 – June 7 | 12:30 pm | 12:00pm | 11:00am |
| June 8 – Sep 15 | 2:00 pm | 9:30 am / 3:00 pm | 9:00 am / 2:30 pm |
| Sep 16 – Oct 31 | 12:30 pm | 12:00 pm | 11:00am |
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Sheltered |
| April 1 – June 9 | 12:30 pm |
| June 10 – Sep 17 | 8:30 am / 2:30 pm |
| Sep 18 – Oct 31 | 12:30 pm |
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Open air |
| April 1 – June 9 | 12:00 pm |
| June 10 – Sep 17 | 9:30 am / 3:30 pm |
| Sep 18 – Oct 31 | 12:00 pm |
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Zodiac |
| April 1 – June 9 | 11:00 am |
| June 10 – Sep 17 | 9:00 am / 2:00 pm |
| Sep 18 – Oct 31 | 11:00 am |
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Sheltered |
| April 1 – June 9 | 12:30 pm |
| June 10 – Sep 17 | 8:30 am / 2:30 pm |
| Sep 18 – Oct 31 | 12:30 pm |
|
Open air |
| April 1 – June 9 | 12:00 pm |
| June 10 – Sep 17 | 9:30 am / 3:30 pm |
| Sep 18 – Oct 31 | 12:00 pm |
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Zodiac |
| April 1 – June 9 | 11:00 am |
| June 10 – Sep 17 | 9:00 am / 2:00 pm |
| Sep 18 – Oct 31 | 11:00 am |
- Private charters are available upon request. Contact us to inquire about rates and availability
- Trips are not recommended for pregnant individuals or those with chronic back/neck pain or previous spinal injury
- All of our tours are weather-dependent and we reserve the right to cancel tours due to high winds, rough sea conditions, and/or other safety concerns including (but not limited to) unexpected vessel maintenance or mechanical issues. If your reserved tour is cancelled, there will be no charges or obligation to reschedule.
Rates
| Adults | $179 |
| Seniors (ages 65+) /Students (with valid ID or ISIC card) | $159 |
| Children (ages 3 – 12) | $105 |
| Zodiac (ages 9+) | $189 |
| Private Whale-Watching Tour | CALL FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY |
- All rates are listed in Canadian dollars and exclude a 5% government tax.
- We take a credit card number to hold your reservation but do don’t charge your card in advance. We will request payment when you check-in.
- Please note a fuel surcharge may be added.
- All reservations are subject to a 24-hour cancellation policy, meaning we require a minimum of 24 hours notice (prior to your scheduled departure) of any reservation modifications or cancellations. Groups of 6 or more are subject to a 48-hour cancellation policy.
- Group rates are available for groups of six or more. Please call to inquire.
What to Know
As an accredited member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), we are frequently updated with the whereabouts of nearby pods of whales. This greatly increases our chances of finding whales on every tour. Our success rate is typically around 95% - however, please note that these are untrained and unpredictable whales. Their 'wildness' is what makes our tours special, but on rare occasions it means that we may be unsuccessful in locating any. If this is the case on your tour, you will be given a voucher to come back again, free of charge! Your free trip never expires and is non-transferable. For this reason, we typically recommend to visitors that you book your tour earlier in your stay in Vancouver rather than on your last day!
Please ensure you prepare for all types of weather! Depending on the whales whereabouts, tours can cover a large geographic area. The predicted Vancouver forecast is not necessarily what you can expect when you're out on the water and away from the city. Weather conditions can be extremely variable and we strongly suggest you bring layered clothing, as most often it is cooler on the water than you'd expect.
Sea conditions are variable, and the ride can be bumpy at times. We therefore suggest you wear comfortable, flat-soled shoes. Guests on our open air vessels (or the outdoor seats on the semi-covered vessel), may experience sea spray depending on the wind conditions on the day of your tour. Please prepare for the possibility of getting splashed!
You may want to consider packing:
- A reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A camera with a fully charged battery and lots of memory storage
- A light snack or packed lunch. If you do not have the means to prepare your own lunch, you can purchase food to-go at the Granville Island Public Market or a bakery down the road (open early in the morning for our earliest summer sailings).
- Gloves and a warm hat for cooler days (toques are available for purchase in our office)
- Your sense of adventure!
- Cash for an optional gratuity, if you feel so inspired! Tips can also be left by card in our office.
Getting Here
Before boarding, we ask all guests to check-in at our office. From there we will provide directions for boarding your boat. We are located on Granville Island which is approximately 10 minutes from most downtown hotels by car.
There are many options for transportation to our office and departure point:
1806 Mast Tower Rd.Vancouver, BC Canada V6H 4B6
- By Bus: From downtown, you can catch the #50 bus (False Creek South) along Granville Street starting at Waterfront Station. Disembark the bus on West 2nd Avenue at Anderson St and walk onto the island. If you would like more information on bus routes and schedules from alternative departure points, please visit the Translink website and use their trip planner.
- By Ferry : The Aquabus or the False Creek Ferries can be boarded from 4 locations downtown Vancouver in addition to stops at Olympic Village, Kitsilano point, or 2 stops in the Fairvew area. For an up-to-date schedule of ferry departures and routes, please visit the Aquabus or the False Creek Ferries online.
- By Car: You can drive directly on to Granville Island and there is usually ample parking available in the morning. Parking can be competitive later in the day, starting around 11am. You must pay for parking between the hours of 11am - 6pm. For more information about parking on Granville Island, click here
- By Taxi: Trips from downtown to Granville Island will likely be around $10 - $15 for up to four people. Call
Black Top Cabs Yellow Cabs , or Maclure’s Cabs for enquiries about larger groups. Traffic on Granville Island is one-way and can move slowly. You may want to ask to be dropped off at the entrance to Granville island.
We offer private whale-watching tours and eco-tours for groups of 35 or less on-board all of our vessels. Tours can be customized to suit your group’s needs. Please call to inquire! Private whale-watching tours are offered throughout the season but they must be booked well in advance, especially during the peak season (July – September).
Why choose a private whale-watching tour?
- Charter rates offer savings for larger groups.
- Exclusive use of the vessel for the duration of the trip.
- A customized experience, tailored to your desires! Departure times can be flexible, within reason.
- Each tour is hosted by an on-board naturalist to interpret the day’s adventure. The guide can customize your experience and provide information based on what you’d like to know.
View Our Fleet for an overview of available vessels.