4.8 (578) · Victoria · By SpringTide Whale Watching Tours ▶ Watch the videoFree cancellation
Embark on an unforgettable journey into the Salish Sea from Victoria's inner harbour aboard our comfortable Ocean Cruiser. Prepare for an adventure of a lifetime, regardless of the time of day!
The 'Marauder IV', a 61-foot Ocean Cruiser, offers a fast, quiet, and stable ride suitable for all ages. You can relax indoors, enjoy the open air on the top deck with the Captain, or explore the unique side decks that run the full length of the boat, providing ample space for wildlife viewing and photography.
Our expert naturalists are on board to enrich your experience with educational insights. Learn about the diverse wildlife and the natural history of the Vancouver Island Coast while keeping an eye out for whales, porpoises, elephant seals, harbour seals, sea lions, and various marine birds!
✓ Expert marine naturalists✓ Complimentary coffee, tea & hot chocolate✓ Washroom facilities✓ All fees and taxes✓ Photo package1 SpringTide Whale Watching & Charters
As you cruise, our experienced crew will help you spot a variety of whales and other marine wildlife that live in the Salish Sea, including orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, otters, and eagles.
Throughout the tour, our crew will share fascinating insights into the whales’ biology and their ocean habitat. Curious about something? Feel free to ask questions along the way!
If you start to feel chilly, step inside the spacious, heated cabin and warm up with a complimentary cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. You’ll still be able to enjoy the view through large windows as you continue your search for marine life.
Your adventure concludes back at Victoria's inner harbour.
· 3 h · Admission included
Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One ticket per booking.
Check-in 30 minutes prior to your tour departure time. The check-in office is located at 1119 Wharf St (at street level, not water level).
Check-in 30 minutes prior to your tour departure time. The check-in office is located at 1119 Wharf St (at street level, not water level).
Check-in at our office a minimum of 30 minutes prior to your departure, located at 1119 Wharf St. Our office is on street level, not water level. Please allow extra time to find parking.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Service animals are permitted. Public transportation options are available nearby. Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. This tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. For any additional information regarding accessibility, please contact us. This tour must meet minimum passenger requirements to confirm. Victoria Whale Watch Tour
Arrive at the check-in office at least 30 minutes before your departure time. Allow ample time for parking in the downtown area. Dress in layers as the weather on the water can change. Bring your camera to capture incredible wildlife moments. Ask the naturalists any questions you have about the marine life and environment. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 3530WHALE
Activity offered by SpringTide Whale Watching Tours via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Families Nature enthusiasts Wildlife photographers Tourists of all ages Witness majestic whales and diverse marine life in their natural habitat. Comfortable and stable 61-foot Ocean Cruiser with indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Expert naturalists provide educational insights into the local ecosystem. Complimentary hot beverages available onboard. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Population 91,867 (2021)
Elevation 23 m
Currency Canadian dollar
Official languages English, French
Driving on the right
Power plugs A, B · 120 V
Emergency number 911
Capital city Ottawa Average temperatures 5° Jan 6° Feb 7° Mar 9° Apr 12° May 14° Jun 17° Jul 17° Aug 15° Sept 11° Oct 7° Nov 5° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is the duration of the whale watching tour? + The tour lasts for 3 hours.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see? + You can expect to see whales (orcas, humpbacks), sea lions, seals, otters, and various marine birds.
Is the boat suitable for all ages? + Yes, the 61-foot Ocean Cruiser is fast, quiet, stable, and suitable for all ages.
What should I do if I feel cold? + You can step inside the spacious, heated cabin and enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while still viewing wildlife through the windows.
Where is the check-in located? + Check-in is at 1119 Wharf St, at street level.
What is the cancellation policy? + For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
An experience to try
marinellar639, October 2026
Excellent experience - I had the wrong day and showed up the day before, but the receptionist found me a spot anyway. Thank you. Thank you.
Compliments also to the guide
Response from the operator · Hanna M Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad our team was able to accommodate you despite the mix-up with your booking date. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to our reservations team and naturalists. We're happy you had such a great experience with SpringTide and hope to welcome you aboard again in the future!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Amazing experience- lots of humpbacks
sanjaypC5572CW, October 2026
It was amazing experience, very well organized, and informative. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I can’t remember the name of one of the crew members but the Katie and her team were awesome. Jasper our captain knew exactly where to find the whales. They all knew the whales by name had a book that helped identify them. We saw 5 different humpbacks and one in a lifetime sighting where a baby and mom whale breached together. The crew shared pictures via email and information about the whales. If you forget jackets, they had jackets to borrow and hot drinks to keep warm. Definitely would recommend this company
Response from the operator · Hanna M Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re glad to hear you had such an amazing experience with our crew. Seeing five different humpbacks is incredible, and witnessing a mother and calf breaching together is truly a special moment! Thank you for recommending SpringTide, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another adventure!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Exhilarating
I1467FXjoh, October 2026
Great experience saw humpback mother with calf and some others as humpbacks and sea Lions and seals
Response from the operator · Hanna M Thank you for joining us! We’re so glad you had a great experience and were able to see multiple humpback whales, sea lions, and seals. It’s truly special to witness these incredible animals in their natural habitat. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Absolutely recommended.
claudiarH4430PG, October 2026
The nature guides were very dedicated and extremely knowledgeable; they were able to call the whales by name and could answer every question. We saw a great many different animals and had an impressive experience.
Response from the operator · Hanna M Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear that our naturalists made such a great impression with their knowledge and enthusiasm. Thank you for joining us at SpringTide Whale Watching!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
A great day on the water!
jamescW7045OQ, October 2026
A beautiful, sunny Saturday morning started with our check in at the SpringTide office on Wharf Street. The process was as smooth as the water was when we headed out into the Salish Sea.
My wife and I boarded the Marauder IV with about 30 others and were pleased with the amount of space we had.
We were introduced to Captain Jasper and the two naturalists, Karie and Amanda.
As we left the inner harbour we were impressed with the number of birds we saw. We saw Rhinoceros Auklet, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pelagic Cormorant and hundreds of Common Murre.
Our first contact with a Humpback Whale came about 15 minutes into the trip but it was short as the whale sounded within a minute of our arrival. Capt. Jasper found us another Humpback about 5 minutes later and everyone got a good look at it. The cameras were humming.
As the morning progressed we moved towards Canada's 2nd oldest lighthouse on Race Rocks.
Here we hit the pot of gold. We had contact with 5 more Humpback's and several of them were lunge feeding on the surface. Spectacular!
We spent almost an hour watching the whales as well as seeing the California Sea Lion, Steller Sea Lions and Harbour Seals on Race Rocks.
Jasper and Karie also found us a very rare bird for this area, a Red-footed Booby!
As we left Race Rocks we encountered a female Humpback with a young calf and the calf was breeching (jumping) for the 20 minutes we stayed to watch. Wow!
We finished our trip by spending 10 minutes with a Bigg's Orca. Jasper found a solitary adult male hunting along the shore.
An incredible day!
Response from the operator · Hanna M Wow, what an incredible day on the water! Thank you for taking the time to share your adventure with us. It sounds like you had an absolutely spectacular variety of wildlife encounters, from the lunge-feeding humpbacks whales to sea lions, seals, orcas and even the very rare Red-footed Booby! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Captain Jasper, Katie, and Amanda. They’ll be happy to hear how much you enjoyed the trip.
Thank you again for joining us and for recommending SpringTide. We hope to see you aboard again in the future!
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