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See Victoria Marine Wildlife: Marine Wildlife Tour on Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Set out from Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf on a 3-hour Eagle Wing Tours adventure and discover why British Columbia is one of the world’s premier places to see whales and rich marine wildlife - all guided by certified naturalists who share the Salish Sea’s natural history and conservation work. You’ll board a comfortable semi-covered or open boat, learn how your trip supports Eagle Wing’s conservation, education and research activities, and scan the water for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises while watching for bald eagles and a mind-boggling assortment of marine birds. If you’re hoping for something bigger, there’s always the chance to spot humpback, killer, minke or grey whales in the Salish Sea, making this tour an unforgettable wildlife and sightseeing experience in British Columbia.
About this activity in Vancouver Island
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Experience prime whale and marine-wildlife viewing on a 3-hour cruise departing from Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf - one of the best places on Vancouver Island to spot whales.
- Let certified naturalists guide you through the Salish Sea’s natural history while you watch for seals, sea lions, otters, porpoises and a wide variety of marine birds.
- Support local conservation, education and research efforts while aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat designed for excellent viewing.
- Keep an eye out for larger species - there’s always the chance to see humpback, killer (orca), minke or grey whales during your tour of the region.
Important Information
- Tour price includes a local guide, GST, onboard restroom, fuel surcharge and a $5 wildlife fee; food, drinks and gratuities are not included.
- The activity is wheelchair accessible, welcomes service animals, offers specialized infant seats and is suitable for all fitness levels - children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Public transport options serve the wharf area and onboard washrooms are available for your convenience; from November 1 to April 30 boat types and departure times may vary with weather and bookings.
- At booking, please inform the operator of any health issues, medical conditions or pregnancy to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
Meeting Point
Meet at the Eagle Wing Tours boarding area on Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to check in and get settled aboard.
Includes
- You’ll be accompanied by a local guide knowledgeable about Vancouver Island and the surrounding region.
- The listed price includes GST (goods and Services tax) for a seamless booking experience.
- Restrooms are available on board for your comfort during the Water-Based activity.
- A fuel surcharge is already covered in the price, so there are no surprise fees at checkout.
- A $5 wildlife fee is included in the price to support responsible wildlife viewing in the area.
Excludes
- Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly for snacks or meals during your outing.
- Gratuities are not included; tipping your guide or crew is appreciated for excellent service.
Other
- Wheelchair accessible options are available to help accommodate diverse mobility needs.
- Service animals are allowed on board to support travelers who rely on them.
- Public transportation options are available nearby, making it easy to reach the departure point from across the island.
- Specialized infant seats are available if you’re traveling with young children.
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible to ensure inclusive access for all guests.
- This activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels, so you can enjoy the region regardless of your fitness.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult for safety and supervision during the experience.
- Washrooms are available on board for your convenience throughout the trip.
- Please note: from Nov 1 to Apr 30, boat types and departure times may vary based on weather and tour numbers in the region.
- At the time of booking, please inform us of any health issues, medical conditions, or if you are pregnant so we can best accommodate you.
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
Much better than expected. An incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable staff who are eager to answer questions and plainly enthusiastic about their work. The boat had a variety of viewing opportunities (covered, deck, or raised above) and was well-provisioned to make everyone comfortable (warm clothing, hot drinks and snacks). Saw humpbacks, orcas, porpoises, california and stellar sea lions, plus bald eagles, a blue heron and other birdlife. Well worth it.
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Summary:
I had to convince my teenagers to go on this whale watching trek. 3.5 hours in an open boat seemed like a terrible idea to them. The sun was out and the predicted high winds were calm. Our tour guides were amazing and so informative. Imagine trying to keep everyone’s attention for 4 hrs. It was honestly the highlight of our trip to Victoria. We saw two different Sea Otters, Hump Back Whales, Sea Lions and Seals. This company came highly recommended by the Empress Hotel and is located, not at the foot of the Empress, but at Fisherman’s Wharf…a free taxi boat ride or a 15 minute walk around the pier.
We loved hearing the story about Takaya and seeing the island he originated on.
We were set up on an open deck, high speed catamaran. Very solid boat. All 38 passengers ventured to one side of the boat to get a look at the wildlife. This did not affect the balance of this boat at all. Just make sure you bring glasses to resist the wind. The boat travels at 80 KLM/hr. Every time I took off my readers I was tearing up!
Caio was our tour guide. Selena was the tour director. Awesome friendly staff. Really knowledgeable. We can’t thank you enough. We will definitely take advantage of the lifetime, 20% discount when we return to do this again.
Thank you Eagle Wing!
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Summary:
Had an amazing time! Captain Joe with Derek, Tom, Nat and Val were the naturalists and the best! So much knowledge and information it was fantastic. We saw whales, orcas, sea lions including an elephant seal! Highly recommend. We went on the 2:30pm tour
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Know more about Vancouver Island
On this 3-hour Salish Sea tour from Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises, plus bald eagles and a wide variety of marine birds. If you’re hoping for larger marine mammals, there’s also a chance to see humpback, killer, minke or grey whales.
You’ll board a comfortable semi-covered or open boat at Fisherman’s Wharf that’s designed for wildlife viewing, with washrooms on board for your convenience and options that may vary by season or weather.
By joining the tour you help support Eagle Wing’s conservation, education and research activities - a portion of the experience and a wildlife fee included in the price contribute directly to those efforts in the Salish Sea region.
Certified naturalists lead the tour and share expert knowledge about the Salish Sea’s wildlife and natural history, helping you spot animals, understand behaviours, and learn about local conservation and research efforts while you’re on the water.
Yes - the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is family-friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult, and there are infant seating options available to make the experience accessible and comfortable for families.
When booking, note that tours operate year-round but boat types and times may vary seasonally; the operation is wheelchair accessible, service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and you should inform the operator of any health issues or pregnancy at the time of booking.
