Orcas and humpbacks peak from May to September, and a half-day trip from Victoria's harbour costs CAD 159 to CAD 189. Since June 2026, boats must keep 1,000 m from Southern Resident orcas.
Dark months are the peak for that species, light months are the rest of its season. October is marked.
| Species | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orca (killer whale) | January: not usually seen | February: not usually seen | March: not usually seen | April: in season | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: in season | November: not usually seen | December: not usually seen |
| Humpback whale | January: not usually seen | February: not usually seen | March: not usually seen | April: in season | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: in season | November: not usually seen | December: not usually seen |
Peak In season
From princeofwhales.com. Whales turn up outside these months too.
| Operator | What you get | From | Length | Group | Min age | Boat | If no whales | Cancellation | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victoria Whale Watching - Semi-Covered Vessel Tour |
C$159 per person |
3 hours |
All ages | Semi-covered boat | Complimentary return tour if whales are not found | Check dates | |||
Victoria Open Vessel Tour |
C$169 per person |
3 hours |
6+ | Open-air vessel | Complimentary return tour if whales are not found | Check dates | |||
Half-Day Whale Watching Semi-CoveredIncludes Free high-resolution photo package, All-weather gear, Hydrophone, Washrooms |
C$179 per person |
3.5 to 4+ hours |
Heated, semi-covered catamaran (Wild 4 Whales or 4 Ever Wild) | If no whales are seen, join again free until you do; no expiry, no standby | Trips cancelled when sea conditions are unsafe or uncomfortable; refund terms not stated | Check dates | |||
Half-Day Whale Watching |
C$189 per adult |
3 to 4 hours |
Another free trip if no whales are seen on your first; never expires | No refund within 48 hours (groups of 9 or fewer) unless 10% Ticket Assurance bought, which allows changes up to 12 hours before | Check dates | ||||
Extended Whale Watching Day Tour |
C$199 per person |
4+ hours |
12-passenger vessel |
No infants | 12-passenger vessel | If no whales are seen, join again free until you do; no expiry, no standby | Trips cancelled when sea conditions are unsafe or uncomfortable; refund terms not stated | Check dates | |
Zodiac Whale Watching |
C$199 per adult |
3 to 3.5 hours |
Zodiac (no restrooms on board) | Another free trip if no whales are seen on your first; never expires | No refund within 48 hours (groups of 9 or fewer) unless 10% Ticket Assurance bought, which allows changes up to 12 hours before | Check dates | |||
Private Victoria Open Vessel Tour |
C$1,700 per group |
3 hours |
6+ | Open-air vessel | Complimentary return tour if whales are not found | Check dates | |||
Private Zodiac Whale Watching |
C$2,000 per group |
3+ hours |
Private Zodiac | Another free trip if no whales are seen on your first; never expires | Check dates |
From each operator's own website, checked October 21, 2026. How we compare.
Prince of Whales boards at 812 Wharf Street, Lower Causeway Level, down the stairs to the waterfront boardwalk below the Fairmont Empress. It runs hourly departures on demand, and Zodiac guests are pointed to the restrooms in its lobby before boarding. Orca Spirit Adventures loads its semi-covered boat at the Coast Hotel Dock and its open boat on Wharf St., and it runs a hotel shuttle within select areas.
Eagle Wing Tours works from a floating office at Historic Fisherman's Wharf, 12 Erie Street, Pier #2, although the footer of its day tours page gives 1 Dallas Road as the address. From the harbour, Prince of Whales says its boats can reach Race Rocks and the San Juan Islands, which lie across the border in Washington. Victoria sits near the Juan de Fuca and Haro straits, the waters Prince of Whales names as home to killer whales, humpbacks, minkes and grays.
Prince of Whales gives the main season as April to October, peaking May to September, and Orca Spirit Adventures puts its peak at May to October. Orcas and humpbacks are the whales seen most often, with occasional minke and gray whales. Prince of Whales says killer whales tend to be more active in the morning and humpbacks in the afternoon. Eagle Wing's half-day semi-covered tours run May to November, with a shoulder-season version from December to April.
Which orcas turn up decides how close a boat may go. Since June 1, 2026, Transport Canada has required vessels to stay 1,000 m from the endangered Southern Residents, up from 400 m. Bigg's, offshore and Northern Resident killer whales fall under the Marine Mammal Regulations' 200 m minimum, and other whales, dolphins and porpoises under 100 m. Whale watching companies no longer need a special authorization to view those other killer whales and are asked to follow voluntary best practices.
Prince of Whales suggests a windbreaker, a sweater, long trousers and closed-toe shoes, plus sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. Its Zodiacs sit low to the water and carry no restrooms, while its custom catamaran has three viewing levels and two washrooms. Eagle Wing's semi-covered catamarans are heated, and its half-day trips include all-weather gear and washrooms. In winter, Orca Spirit Adventures supplies flotation suits on its open boats. Eagle Wing Tours cancels trips when sea conditions are unsafe or uncomfortable.
Orca Spirit Adventures has the lowest listed fare, CAD 159 for 3 hours on a semi-covered boat from the Coast Hotel Dock, with certified marine naturalists. Its open boat costs CAD 169 for ages 6 and up, or CAD 1,700 as a private charter, and winter tours start at CAD 150. It offers a free return tour if whales are not found and cites a 95% success rate from May to October.
Eagle Wing Tours charges from CAD 179 (CAD 169 from December to April) for 3.5 to 4+ hours on a heated catamaran, with a free high-resolution photo package, a hydrophone and a naturalist. Its Extended tour on a 12-passenger boat runs June to September for CAD 199, with no infants. If no whales show, you can rejoin free until you see one. Eagle Wing cites a 98% sighting rate, and Victoria and Vancouver Island residents get 20% off.
Prince of Whales charges CAD 189 for a 3 to 4 hour half-day trip from March to November and CAD 199 for a 3 to 3.5 hour Zodiac trip that runs year-round. A private Zodiac costs CAD 2,000. Its free repeat trip never expires. Groups of 9 or fewer get no refund within 48 hours unless they buy Ticket Assurance at 10%, which allows changes up to 12 hours ahead. Eagle Wing and Prince of Whales prices exclude taxes and fees.
from C$159 per person
Victoria Whale Watching - Semi-Covered Vessel Tour and 2 more options
Says its tours are led by certified marine naturalists and local captains
from C$179 per person
Half-Day Whale Watching Semi-Covered and 1 more option
Says it has a 98% whale sighting success rate
from C$189 per adult
Half-Day Whale Watching and 2 more options
Says tours have over a 95% chance of whale sightings
Prices and policies come from each operator's own pages, read on October 21, 2026. Seasons, rules and local details come from the pages below.