Campbell River 6 Hour Whale Watching Tour

A humpback whale breaching in Campbell River

6 Hour Whale Watching Tour in Campbell River

📅 April - September | 🕐 6 hour tour, departs daily at 9 am | 🚤 Zodiac and Covered Boats available

Starting from $260* CAD/Adult

Private charter rates starting at $2600* CAD

*Base price is subject to additional fees: 12% fuel surcharge, $5 conservation fee, and 5% GST.

Looking to spend more time immersed in nature? Our 6-hour whale watching tour offers an extended opportunity to observe marine wildlife in their natural habitat and venture further into the breathtaking coastal wilderness around Campbell River on Vancouver Island.

Guided by our trained naturalist captains, you’ll explore from either a Zodiac (up to 12 guests) or a Covered Boat (up to 12 or 30 guests), with plenty of opportunities to learn about the diverse wildlife we observe.

Expect to see Humpback Whales, Seals, Sea Lions, and possibly Orcas, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Porpoises, and Bald Eagles. While we can’t guarantee all of these animals on every tour, we take pride in each of our tours and take every opportunity to show our guests everything that is possible during their tour.

Join us for an immersive and educational journey into nature!

Tours suitable for ages 4+

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What you might see

The fluke of a humpback whale showing as the whale dives into the ocean in front of Vancouver Island

A killer whale is swimming in the ocean. Its breath is visible as fog in the air

Two dall's porpoise at the surface of the ocean

A Bald Eagle flying with a hake it caught

What's included

Travelling to see a variety of nature and wildlife in a well maintained, 12 or 30 passenger vessel.
Nature interpretation by your certified naturalist guide and captain.
A homemade granola bar snack and water in a reusable bottle.
A homemade zero-waste lunch of fresh made wraps, baked goods and beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, tea and water.
Great opportunities to safely use cameras and binoculars (tripods not recommended).
The vocalizations of Orcas or Humpback Whales through the onboard hydrophones (underwater microphones) if those opportunities arise (Orcas and Humpback Whales do not communicate all day).
Flotation suits, gloves, hats and goggles on Zodiac tours.
An onboard bathroom on all Covered Boats and Zodiacs.

What to bring

Camera – Bring your camera (with a protective case), and a telephoto lens is recommended for capturing wildlife from a safe distance.
Binoculars – We have a few pairs on board to share, but feel free to bring your own for a closer look at the wildlife.
Warm Clothing in Layers – It can be chilly! Consider a T-shirt, a warm layer (like fleece or a thin puffy jacket), and a rain jacket.
Beanie & Gloves – Keep warm and comfortable.
Sun Protection – Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.
Water in a Reusable Bottle – Fill up at our office station, or grab a reusable water bottle on board if you forget yours!
Snacks or Extra Food – Feel free to bring any additional snacks you’d like.
A Smile and a Sense of Adventure!

You have two options for your adventure

Zodiac

Experience the thrill of the open sea as you feel the West Coast wind in your hair! Our Zodiacs offer an immersive adventure, bringing you closer to the water and the stunning scenery. They’re a fun and adventurous choice, and contrary to popular belief, are especially recommended for those concerned about seasickness, as the smooth ride cuts effortlessly through the water.

Each Zodiac accommodates up to 12 passengers, with seating fixed during the tour and limited space to move around.

See Availability

Covered Boat

Our Covered Boats offer a comfortable and protected experience, featuring a heated cabin that keeps you warm and cozy, no matter the weather. When the boat is stopped, you'll have access to an outdoor viewing deck, perfect for wildlife watching.

The spacious design makes it easy to move around, and each boat is equipped with an onboard washroom for your convenience. We operate 12-passenger and 30-passenger vessels for this tour, depending on demand.

See Availability

"The 6h zodiac tour exceeded all expectations! We saw killer whales, humpbacks, bald eagles, porpoises, sea lions, seals and even a bear! Our guides Bex and Lexie went out of their way to give us the best possible day. Their explanation was very interesting too. Lunch is very tasty too!"

AC, 2025 via Tripadvisor

"This trip was worth every penny. We based our trip to Campbell river around our plan to join this tour and it did not disappoint. As well as seeing breathtaking coastline, bald eagles, impressive houses, sea lions and having a delicious lunch, we were wowed with multiple whale sightings.

Our fantastic guide Jack knew so much about the area and was proud to share it all with us. When we approached the whales, he gave them a safe distance, and we got breathtaking views of them playing, diving and breaching.

The boat was safe, clean and comfortable, and there was even a toilet on board. The lunch provided was fresh and delicious, and catered well to my daughter’s allergies."

Family of 5, 2024 via Tripadvisor

"Our ocean tour with Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours was nothing short of magical. This wasn’t just sightseeing - it was a full immersion into the untamed wilderness of British Columbia’s coastal waters. From orcas and humpback whales to harbor porpoises, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and even ancient petroglyphs, every moment was a discovery.

Our guide, Marty, was an absolute gem - not only highly knowledgeable and experienced but also warm, engaging, and truly passionate about the wildlife and waters he calls home. His storytelling gave context to everything we saw, from the orca behavior to the humpback lineage. Every sighting became part of a bigger story.

The boat was safe and comfortable, perfect for all ages. Marty made everyone feel included and excited, from the youngest passenger to seasoned nature lovers.

Highly recommended for families, solo travelers, and anyone who wants to feel the wild heart of British Columbia."

Michal, 2025 via Tripadvisor

FAQS

What is your booking and cancellation policy?

Full payment is required at the time of booking. Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 48 hours notice of cancellation up to 4 people (7 day notice required for groups larger than 4 people). Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price. All trips are subject to fees and taxes.

Please note our minimum age is 4 years old on our 6 hour whale watching tours. For children under 4 we recommend our 4 hour trip on a covered boat. Please give us a call to discuss your best option with young children.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

Can I book a private tour?

Do tours run in all types of weather?

Our tours go ahead regardless of the weather, but safety is always our top priority. In the event of extreme weather or high winds, tours may be canceled at the discretion of our qualified crew. If this happens, we’ll reach out to you directly.

If conditions allow, we may offer an alternative, such as rebooking guests from a Zodiac to a Covered Boat. If we’re unable to proceed with your scheduled tour due to weather, you will be contacted and given a full refund.

How likely is it that we will see whales? Is there a guarantee?

While we can never guarantee wildlife sightings, we’re proud of our high success rate - especially during the summer months. It's very rare that we don’t see whales on a given day. For a better idea of what to expect, you can check out our sightings reports from previous years.

6 hours give us plenty of time to look for a variety of marine wildlife.

In 2024, we saw Orcas on 62% and Humpback Whales on 90% of our 6-hour tours.

If seeing Orcas is a priority, we recommend booking our full day whale-watching tour. Orcas tend to be more mobile, so having extra time increases your chances of finding them. For reference, in 2024 we saw Orcas on 82% of our full day tours.