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August 28, 2026
When most people picture whale watching in Vancouver, they imagine the middle of summer. Blue skies, warm afternoons, and busy days around Granville Island.
But September and October have a completely different feel. The air gets cooler, the summer crowds begin to disappear, and the mountains surrounding Vancouver start to feel just a little more dramatic. Out on the water, however, there is still plenty happening. Humpback whales can remain in the region feeding before their migration south, while Bigg’s killer whales can be found in the Salish Sea throughout the year.
For us, that makes fall one of Vancouver’s most underrated whale-watching seasons!
What whales can you see from Vancouver in the fall?
Two of the species we are most excited to encounter during our Vancouver tours are humpback whales and Bigg’s killer whales.
Humpback whales have made an extraordinary return to the Salish Sea after being severely depleted by commercial whaling. Many of these whales spend the productive months feeding in British Columbia before eventually migrating south toward warmer breeding grounds. Humpbacks consume large quantities of zooplankton and small schooling fish, making the productive waters accessible from Vancouver valuable feeding habitat. During a fall trip, you might see a distant blow, a huge tail fluke disappearing beneath the surface, feeding behaviour, or even more energetic surface activity. Every encounter is different, and that unpredictability is part of the experience.
Are killer whales still around Vancouver in the fall?
Absolutely! Bigg’s killer whales (orcas) are particularly exciting because they can be found in the Salish Sea throughout the year. Unlike the fish-eating Resident killer whales (which we do not watch), Bigg’s specialize in hunting marine mammals such as harbour seals, Steller sea lions, harbour porpoises, and Dall’s porpoises. The Strait of Georgia has a substantial harbour seal population, and this abundance of marine mammal prey is one likely reason Bigg’s killer whales have been spending more time within the Salish Sea. So when summer ends, the killer whales do not simply disappear. They continue travelling through this enormous ecosystem in search of prey, giving us opportunities for incredible encounters well into the fall!
What other wildlife can you see?
One of the best things about leaving Vancouver on a whale watching tour is discovering just how much wildlife exists beyond the city. Depending on where the wildlife takes us, we can explore the Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound, and surrounding waters. Our routes are not fixed, allowing our captains to adjust the trip based on current wildlife reports.
Along the way, there are opportunities to encounter harbour seals, Steller and California sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles alongside the whales. And then there is the scenery. Leaving Granville Island behind and watching Vancouver’s skyline give way to open water, islands, and the mountains of the North Shore is a pretty spectacular way to see another side of the city.
Why go whale watching in Vancouver during the fall?
Because Vancouver does fall particularly well, there is something special about heading out from Granville Island on a crisp morning, watching the city disappear behind you and seeing the North Shore Mountains stretching across the horizon.
The wildlife is still here too. Humpbacks may still be busy feeding before migration, while Bigg’s killer whales continue travelling through the Salish Sea throughout the year. Fall also allows you to experience the waters surrounding Vancouver outside the height of the summer season. It feels a little quieter, a little cooler, and wonderfully West Coast.
Why is our catamaran perfect for fall?
Vancouver might feel comfortable when you leave Granville Island, but once you are travelling across the Strait of Georgia, the temperature can feel considerably cooler.
Bring warm layers and a waterproof outer layer so you can comfortably spend time outside when wildlife appears. Fortunately, when you need a break from that crisp fall air, you can simply head inside. Our Vancouver Half Day Whale Watching tours depart directly from Granville Island aboard our purpose-built catamarans. The vessels offer three different viewing elevations, floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic views, plenty of outdoor viewing space, and a heated interior cabin. They also have two washrooms onboard.
That combination is particularly nice in the fall. When whales are spotted, grab your jacket and head outside for the view. When you are ready to warm up, step back into the heated cabin and enjoy a complimentary coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. You also do not need to spend every wildlife encounter staring through your phone. Our naturalists take wildlife and group photos during each trip, and a complimentary digital photo package from your adventure is included.
See a different side of Vancouver this fall
Vancouver is known for being a city surrounded by nature, but sometimes you need to leave the shoreline to appreciate just how true that is. Within minutes of departing Granville Island, the city begins to fall away, and the Salish Sea opens up ahead of you. Somewhere beyond the skyline could be a humpback feeding, a group of Bigg’s killer whales travelling through the Strait of Georgia, a sea lion surfacing beside a rocky island, or a bald eagle watching from the shoreline.
Add in a heated cabin, a hot chocolate, and those crisp fall views of the mountains, and we think it is a pretty great way to spend an autumn day in Vancouver. Our Vancouver Half Day Whale Watching tours operate from March through November, so summer ending certainly does not mean whale watching season is over!!
