Full Day Whale Watching Day Tour

Full Day Whale Watching Tour in Campbell River

📅 May 15 - September 30 | 🕐 7-8 hour tour, departs daily at 9:30 am | 🚤 Zodiac and Covered Boats available

Starting from $310* CAD/Adult

Private charter rates starting at $3100* CAD

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

This tour focuses on observing orca in their natural habitat, and with the luxury of time, chances of seeing them are significantly higher. In past seasons, orca were observed on over 80% of our full-day tours.

Along the way, guests may also observe humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, Steller sea lions, harbour seals, and occasionally black bears along the shoreline. 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.

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.

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

"Our whale watching trip was absolutely amazing, all thanks to our tour guide Jarek! He was so informative and enthusiastic about the day, ensuring it was the best experience we could have! We saw a bald eagle and 2 black bears on the way and then we saw humpback whales, dolphins and of course, Orca’s! It was a special trip which we will remember forever! Everyone we spoke to who worked for the company were so friendly too!"

Paige, 2024 via Tripadvisor

"What an incredible and memorable experience! We traveled more than 150km in some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever experienced. Saw orca almost immediately on the tour and just continued throughout the day. Humpback whales, porpoise, dolphins and sea lions too. You know it is a great tour when 8 hours goes by in a blink of an eye. We would've been happy out there for another 4.

Bex is such a great guide. She was knowledgeable and patient. She took the time to expertly answer all our questions.

This is our family's second time taking this tour and would readily book it again and again."

BT, 2024 via Tripadvisor

"What a great trip - our guide was amazing and the views of the wildlife really good. We saw orca, humpback whales, mink, bald eagles and sea lions. The provided lunch was also amazing - with chicken Caesar wrap, homemade granola bars and cookies and dried fruit. Best lunch I have had whilst in Canada. Thank you for such a great day!"

Julie, 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 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.

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.

Our full-day whale watching tour offers the highest success rate for spotting orcas and other wildlife. With more time on the water, you’ll have the best chance to observe a wide variety of marine life and enjoy extended viewing opportunities once we find them.

Because orcas are highly mobile, having extra time greatly increases your chances of finding them. On this tour, we can travel as far as Johnstone Strait if that’s where orcas have been reported - something we don’t do on any other tour.

While we can never guarantee sightings, our 2024 season saw orcas on 82% of full-day tours and humpback whales on 95%. If you want to maximize your chances of seeing as much wildlife as possible, this is the tour to choose.