Whale Watching Tours in Victoria
Experience west coast wildlife onboard one of our custom built vessels with our local naturalists.
Welcome to the Premium Marine Adventure Company on the west coast of British Columbia, BC Whale Tours! Leave the crowds behind on our custom made vessels specifically designed for comfort, speed and safety that carry only 12 privileged guests at a time.
The rugged beauty of the West Coast is something that should be experienced with Victoria’s boutique whale watching company. The wildlife and limitless adventure that the Salish Sea has to offer is easily enjoyed when experienced in the comfort of our state-of-the-art vessels! Our knowledgeable crew ensure that each and every trip is an inspiring and educational experience. BC Whale Tours is a company like no other!
Why Should You Choose BC Whale Tours?
Custom Designed Long Range Boats
Our boats are custom designed for the best possible experience by our owner, Captain Harold.
We have 4 boats with options for indoor and outdoor seating. Our variety of custom designed vessels means we can accommodate almost anyone.
Every boat carries a maximum of 12 passengers - allowing for a more personal experience.
Every boat has a private bathroom.
Tours Backed Up With Our Whale Guarantee*
Although it is rare, sometimes we do not find whales - it is apart of the adventure of looking for animals in their natural habitat.
In the event we do not find whales on your tour with us, BC Whale Tours is the only company to offer guests a complimentary return-tour with us on a stand-by basis that is good for life as well as a 20% refund of your total tour cost. *Excludes our sunset tours
Expert Captains, Marine Biologists, Certified Naturalists
All of our Captains are knowledgeable (they know almost every whale by name) and love what they do.
Some are Marine Biologists or Certified Naturalists.
PLUS - Free pickup service from anywhere around Downtown Victoria.
Longest Range Boats = Best Chance to See Whales
Whale Promise You'll Have a Great Time
But don't listen to us. We have over 500 reviews from our happy guests!
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Are there washroom on board?
Yes, all of our vessels have onboard private washrooms.
+ Can you pick me up?
Our vessel BC Luna is the best option for young children and infants due to the indoor seating factor and how sensitive youngins respond to marine environments. If BC Luna is fully booked then we would recommend BC Orca or BC Nova as a backup plan because they offer indoor seating as well.
+ How far in advance should I book?
We recommend that you complete your reservation with us as soon as you and your party are certain of your travel times. Whale Watching is one of the top tourist attractions in Victoria due to the concentration of killer whales in our local waters and therefore we tend to fully book up in advance. Don’t leave it to the last minute or you may miss your chance!
+ Should I be worried about sea sickness?
Another advantage of our vessels is that our guests rarely get sea sick. Sea sickness is much more common on slower, larger vessels with guests sitting indoors or on the top deck of a vessel with a wide swinging motion - all features you will not find on a BC Whale Tours custom built vessel. However, if you are feeling nervous about sea sickness, we highly recommend that you avoid skipping meals prior to your tour and avoid high acidity food and beverages (coffee on an empty stomach being the worst combination). Check in with us about the sea conditions the morning or evening prior to your tour departure. It is up to your discretion if you feel that motion sickness medication works best for you and you must purchase the medication ahead of time as we do not provide it. If you start to feel queasy out on the water, utilize our outdoor seating options, focus on deep breathing and watching the horizon line. Always let your captain know if you are going to be sick.
+ What should I wear?
We recommend that you dress for the weather of that day, bring an extra wind-breaker layer and closed toed shoes. We have a lot of storage on board our vessels to stow away your extra layers if they are not needed.
+ Which boat is best for a young child?
Our vessel BC Luna is the best option for young children and infants due to the indoor seating factor and how sensitive youngins respond to marine environments. If BC Luna is fully booked then we would recommend BC Orca or BC Nova as a backup plan because they offer indoor seating as well.
Guest Testimonials
We booked our tour in the sincere hope of seeing even one whale during our time on the water. And we ended up seeing two Humpback whales and several members of J Pod, a resident Orca pod. It was magical. Our captain answered any questions we had and really brought home how whales deserve our appreciation and protection. We would go again in a heartbeat.
Review by Amber Raymond on May 14th, 2017
We had an incredible tour with Captain Tom today! His passion and knowledge made the tour so very enjoyable! We were even lucky enough to interact with a humpback! Definitely a trip that will never be forgotten, and we will be back for sure! This prairie girls life is made! Thank you for an unforgettable day Captain Tom!
Review by Amanda Perreault on May 21st, 2017