Welcome to our Wild coast
Are you ready for an exhilarating experience?
Join us on a sustainable adventure to explore our coast and discover its wonders for yourself.
The Salish Sea
The blue-green waters of the Salish Sea are a marine wonderland, teeming with a spectacular array of life, astounding geological features, thousands of islands, and a vast coastline that stretches across the Pacific Northwest.
It's here in the deep, nutrient-rich fjords of this breathtaking ecosystem where young orcas learn to hunt, humpback whales feast and breach, sea lions bark, seals sunbathe, eagles soar, and porpoises play.
The Salish Sea is named in honour of the Coast Salish people who have lived on its coast since time immemorial. Traditional Coast Salish culture emphasizes the importance of stewardship and sustainability, with a focus on living in harmony with the natural world.
Our Recent sightings
Note: Sightings are posted 5-7 days after the trips.
The T036As, T063, T065, and the T137s were partying in the Strait - and we had a second surprise encounter with the T046B1s and T046C2 Sam near Nanaimo!
We had Whale soup today, Orca everywhere! Today we had the T036As, T100s (-E), T049A3, and the T101s!
What an amazing day spent with the T137s hunting a porpoise, and then Seals, Sea Lions, and some Feasting Bald Eagles!
You canβt ask for much of a better day than this! We got to watch the T049As (-A1 & A2) hunting close to home, as well as seeing a variety of other wildlife!
Fins up, socializing, thereβs a party in the Salish Sea! Today we saw the T036As, T063, T065, T100s (-E), T123s, T124As, T124A1s, and the T124A4s - 20 whales in total!
First we found the T123s by North Nanaimo! Then we found a T-party (T100s, T124As, and the T036As) a bit further north for a total of 21 different orca today!
We crossed the Strait of Georgia to Malaspina Strait where we found T023 Janice/Warmsprings! She was hanging out in the same spot and we could hear her vocalizing!
Our whales were even closer to home port than we expected! The T036As were just outside Piperβs Lagoon!
It was an amazing day spent in calm waters, watching the T090s and T124As travel and hunt together in the Strait of Georgia.
We got to see two different groups of whales during our tour today, the T049As (-A2) and then later T049C by himself! In addition there was also plenty of Bald Eagles and Sea Lions during our Salish Sea Adventure!
It was a beautiful calm day and we got to see the Herring spawn, the T049As and some Seals and Sea Lions as well!
A party in the Salish Sea today, a T-party to be exact! We were lucky enough to watch 4 pods of orca hunting together, and then we also got to see two additional pods cruising solo in the area.
We headed North during this trip and found the T034s, T037, T037Bs, and the T101s all travelling together near Denman Island!
It was a very special day getting to spend time with the Northern Residents (A23s and A25s) in Howe Sound.
We were lucky enough to spend family day with a very special family of orca, the T018s! Not only did we get to spend quality time with them, there was lots of other wildlife spotted along the way as well!
It was an amazing day spent exploring the Salish Sea, and getting to see a T-party at the end! This travelling t-party consisted of T087, T100E, the T100Bs, and the T124As!
Quadrata (BCY1255) the Humpback decided they wanted to be the first sighting of the season!
Another amazing day on the water getting to see feeding humpbacks, Sea Lions, and a orca vs humpback showdown!
A Humpback buffet in the Strait, Meqe, Tempest, Kraken, Yin Yang, Sherwina and Neowise sporting some full bellies today!
A lucky day on the water spent with Flier, Kappa, Splitfin and Raptor posing in front of the Coastal mountains!
We spotted some unusual whales today, including T049C Nielson and the T068Cs including a cute little 2023 calf! We also saw two humpbacks identified as Sherwina (BCY0961) and Scratchy (BCY1022).
It was a fun day spent on the water getting to see the T018s with the T035As, and then the two pods separately as well.
We were lucky enough to see five different humpback whales during our tour, BCX2192, Schooner, BCY0961βs 2021 calf, Harpy, and Yogi! In addition to the whales, we also saw Steller Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, and a Bald Eagle!
OUR WHALE-WATCHING TOURS
Youβll experience BC's most sustainable whale watching on an unforgettable day at sea aboard your choice of vessel (open zodiac-style boats or our semi-covered vessel).
Your adventure is guided by expert mariners and professional researchers who know the whales by name, and collect field data on every single trip. Our award-winning tours are designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the whales and the complex ecosystem they call home. We'll take you through the Salish Sea ecosystem to see whales and other spectacular marine flora and fauna, while you learn all about them!
Throughout the trip (usually 3-5 hours long), your crew will ensure that we respect the whales while offering an educational experience that gives you a better understanding of their role in the ecosystem. Youβll learn about the different species and their behaviours, as well as the efforts being made to protect them.
Join us on the adventure of a lifetime, and let the the Salish Sea leave you feeling humbled and inspired, all while supporting the protection of this life-sustaining ecosystem.
Schedules & Rates
We operate Year-Round from our Nanaimo location. Please see our Schedules & Rates page for our current prices and availability.
Our Vessels
Are you wanting an outdoor adventure on our Open Zodiac vessels, or do you prefer the idea of enjoying your tour from inside the cozy cabin of our Semi-Covered vessel? Learn more about our vessels to decide what tour is right for you!
Public tours: March - October
Charters: Year-Round
Public tours: Year-Round
Charters: Year-Round
WHALE SIGHTINGS GUARANTEE
We guarantee you'll see a whale, or your next trip is on us*! We're part of a large network of boaters and we are constantly updated with the whales' locations. In fact, success rate for finding whales in this region is over 90%!
On our tours we have a chance of seeing a number of whale species, including:
Orcinus orca, Orca/Killer Whales
Megaptera novaeangliae, Humpback Whales
Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Common Minke Whales
Eschrichtius robustus, Grey Whales
While we cannot guarantee what species of whale we will see on each tour, we strive to provide as much variety in species encountered on our tours as possible. Thereβs always a chance of seeing more than one species while you are out with us!
* If a public tour doesnβt see a whale, each guest onboard will be provided with a voucher which has their name, the date, and a code. This code will remove the seat price from a new booking with us. Vouchers have no expiration or blackout dates and are non-transferable. Fuel surcharge still applies. Guarantee does not apply to private charters.
OUR COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION
Marine conservation is one of our top priorities. After all, our oceans are the largest ecosystems on the planet. That's why we're proud to be BC's first whale-watching company to watch healthy growing populations of whales, EXCLUSIVELY. We avoid the endangered Southern Resident orca population, which are typically seen in the busier waters in Puget Sound.
We're also proud to donate $2.00 for each seat sold to local marine conservation initiatives. Visit Our Sustainable Approach section to learn more about our commitment to conservation.
Testimonials
Excellent Trip
βOur extended family was visiting from Calgary, and we did a private semi-covered boat rental for the eleven of us. Our trip was incredible - and our guide and driver were able to find us a variety of wildlife which included lengthy viewings of humpback and orca. Our driver Rodrigo was exceptional at positioning the boat appropriately and anticipating the whales movements, and our guide Brad was very knowledgeable of wildlife in the area. We were lucky to view orca during a hunt as well as the celebration that followed - and we had sole tickets to the show!
The semi-covered boat was awesome for our group which included 4 kids - the kids were warm and safe from the elements the entire time and were able to move around the boat. It was also great to have the viewing platform on the back of the boat for when there were sitings, though the windows in the boat open up and allow for many to clearly view the wildlife.
Iβd strongly recommend VIWW based on our incredible experience. If you have a larger group, seriously consider your own private rental, and it is totally worth it (and for us with 11 people, cheaper than booking individually).
Thanks for an unforgettable tour!β
Jon R via TripAdvisor
Great Experience
βAmazing experience. Got to see a variety of wildlife and learned a lot from our guide. Our guides were super friendly, approachable and we appreciated the priority of our tour experience OVER time. I appreciated the conservation education also shared during this tour, especially with my teens on the tour, to initiate and open minds to issues outside of our normal daily living. Thank you and I highly recommend this tour!β
tmanlangit via TripAdvisor
Amazing Experience with Vancouver Island Whale Watch!!!
βWe had the amazing and beautiful experience of taking the open boat tour this past October. Val was our Marine Naturalist and was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, displaying a true passion and love for her Job. We got a chance to see two separate pods of Hump Back Whales, and with every surfacing, every blow and every Tail Slap, we were further wrapped up in the shear beauty and amazement that this tour offered. Also having a chance to see Bald Eagles, Seals and Sea Lions, helped to round out this not to be missed experience. Thanks again to all the staff at Vancouver Island Whale Watch and can't wait till we get to be out on the water with you again!!!!β
muskokamike2016 via TripAdvisor
A Wonderful Experience
βWhat did we like about the tour? .... Obviously seeing the transient orcas (Big Jack and family), the humpbacks (Smiley and Anvil), the seals and the large number of the cormorants, the scenery (the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea) and the educational commentary that explained what we were observing and experiencing. This was a wonderful experience and highly recommended.β
Brian B via TripAdvisor
Great crew & great sights
βIβve been whale watching in Victoria before, but this was my first experience whale watching in Nanaimo. We went on the open boat tour and had an absolute blast. Our guide was fun and engaging. Our captain was skilled and professional. The sights were breathtaking and it felt like a personal, private tour experience. Highly recommend, will definitely go again.β
Kelly H via Google Reviews
Dream come true
βThe crew of Vancouver Island Whale Watching made my family and my dreams to see aquatic and marine life come true! Their captain is professional and knowledgeable when it comes to sailing us safely to tourist attractions and finding orcas and whales. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about wildlife, sightings, and facts about whales and other marine life. People need to experience this in their vacation at Nanaimo and Vancouver Island.β
Christian V via Google Reviews
Awe of the Coast
βWe had such beautiful weather for our whale watching tour. It was at least 4 hours out on the water, but it went fast!! Val and Vanessa were both awesome to have as Captain and Naturalist.
The boat ride alone is literally worth the cost. We are from Ontario and the scenery here is awe inspiring!! π² πWe saw, Orcas, I forget the names (numbers) of the pod we saw, but awesome nonetheless. We almost saw a humpback Whale, but it wouldnβt cooperate for us .
We saw bald eagles, harbour seals, a porpoise, and again⦠just amazing scenery!!
I 100% recommended taking this tour. The whole cast and crew of this business are awesome!!
Side note, we took the covered boat tour which was fantastic as we had the shelter of the roof and windows, but when we slowed down to look at sightings we were able to walk out on the back deck and enjoy the sights up close.
Thank you all!!!β
Mike Y via Google Reviews
Exciting zodiac tours
βWe had a fabulous afternoon in the open boat, so close to the wild life. The boat felt very safe and was very exhilarating! Our expert was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.β
Allison via Google Reviews
Adventures for All
βMy dad and I went on the open boat in August on a gorgeous, sunny, flat-calm 26 degrees day. Dad is in his 80's and just loved the tour. Just being on the water for 4 hours on a stellar west coast day was fantastic enough, but we also got to see a transient orca pod a bit further away(the T099βs, Bella, Holly, Barakat, Puck, and little T099E), and then a humpback called Potamus (close up). Potamus was napping on the surface for about 15 minutes and then woke up and put on a wonderful tail-slapping show for us before diving down for a snack. She must've slapped the water 30-40 times. We all sat there in awe of the power.
We then saw loads of cute seals on the way back, and 2 other transient orcas in the distance (didn't have enough time left in the tour to go check those ones out). Our guide Rebeka was friendly, knowledgeable and really fun! Highly recommend this tour companyππβ
Jane W via Google Reviews
Amazing birthday adventure
βI went on a whale watch for my birthday and it was a lifechanging experiencing! Our captain had turned the engines off on our boat and a whale came up to us and swam gently under our boat. I never thought I would get to experience such a peacefully and surreal moment with such a giant creature! The naturalist Vanessa was fabulous and the hours flew by as we saw whales, seals, salmon, sea lions, and a variety of birds. This is a great company with an amazing crew. Highly recommend.β
The T065Bs have a funky hunt off Entrance Island - Murre is on the menu!