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Start off the summer with an unforgettable whale watching experience! Use code JULYWHALES to save 15% on ALL of our Vancouver departures from today until th 19th of July!
Vancouver HALF-DAY WHALE WATCHING
2:33 am,
15°C
What you could see
Summer Sale | Save 15%!
Departing From
GRANVILLE ISLAND ADVENTURE CENTRE
1666 DURANLEAU ST, VANCOUVER, BC V6H 3S2, CANADA
Please remember to check in 30 minutes before your adventure.
Drink and Snack Bar On board
Our catamaran vessels feature an onboard snack bar offering a selection of light bites, beverages, and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase for guests to enjoy while out on the water. Want to have your own pic-nic onboard? Please feel free to bring your food and non-alcoholic drinks!
Year-Round Whale Sightings Guarantee
With a sightings success rate of over 95%, it is highly likely that you will see a whale. But, if this isn’t the case, don’t worry. We will get you out on another tour, whenever is most convenient for you, free of charge*.
Our guarantee is offered year-round, never expires, and can be redeemed at any of our departure locations.
Our Catamarans
Prince of Whales operates two custom-built catamarans for whale watching tours. The Salish Sea Dream and the Salish Sea Freedom. Both vessels are designed to be environmentally friendly, comfortable and fast.
The catamarans are designed to minimize their impact on the marine environment and wildlife. They use low-emission engines, hydrofoil technology, and advanced hull design to reduce fuel consumption and noise pollution. They also follow strict guidelines for responsible whale watching practices, such as keeping a safe distance from the whales, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction, and limiting their time with each group of whales.
What people are saying
Rated Tripadvisor’s Best Experience in Canada!
Certificate of Excellence Since 2009
BC’s only climate positive whale watching operator
Biosphere Certified Activity
Rainbow Registered Experience
What’s Included
Experience the majesty of the Salish Sea and its wildlife, from whales surfacing in unison to bald eagles soaring overhead. Cut through the Strait of Juan de Fuca’s currents in search of orcas and humpback whales, and listen to our marine mammal experts bring the animals’ stories to life (while you stay warm, dry and hydrated in its heated cabin, of course!).
- The perfect viewing platform and the only one of its kind on the British Columbia coast. This 95 passenger catamaran was engineered and built in Canada with the safety of our beloved marine wildlife and our guests as priority number one.
- Year-round Whale Sighting Guarantee. In the unlikely case that we do not see whales, you can join us on another whale watching tour for free.
- Free photo package will be taken and sent by our naturalists on every trip, group photos & wildlife photos all included.
- Fully-guided whale watching & marine wildlife tour. Opportunity to observe different species of whales in the wild, sea birds and other marine wildlife. Guided by 3-4 Transport Canada certified marine naturalists.
- Complimentary tea, coffee & hot chocolate on board. Light snacks (chips, cookies and chocolate bars) are currently available for purchase.
- 360 degree panoramic views from a 22ft tall elevated viewing platform means all 95 guests will see farther while we maintain a safe viewing distance from our beloved marine mammals.
- Experience spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Only a few feet above the water these 10 ft tall glass windows offer unobstructed views of dramatic Salish Sea scenery.
Cancellation Policy
Need to cancel or reschedule – no problem! We offer flexible cancellation policies and ticket assurance. If you purchase ticket assurance, you can transfer or cancel up to 12 hours before your tour, and if you don’t, just contact us at least 48 hours prior to your adventure’s departure to reschedule or to cancel (and receive a full refund), no questions asked.
More Details
Ticket Assurance Policy
Ticket Assurance offers added flexibility and peace of mind when booking. If purchased at the time of booking, it allows you to cancel or transfer your ticket(s) up to 12 hours before the scheduled departure time. The cost of Ticket Assurance is 10% of the ticket price, plus applicable taxes. Please note that Ticket Assurance must be added during the initial booking process to be valid. If Ticket Assurance is not purchased, the following will apply:
- For independent travel bookings of 9 passengers or less: 48 hours before scheduled departure, partial or whole cancellations made within 48 hours before departure will not be refundable. Tour amendments cannot be completed within a 48-hour window. There will be no refunds for cancellations within the cancellation period.
- For groups of 10-19: 14 days before scheduled departure, partial or whole cancellations made within 14 days before departure will not be refundable. Tour amendments cannot be guaranteed within a 14-day window.
- For Groups 20+: 21 days before scheduled departure; partial or whole cancellations made within 21 days before departure will not be refundable. Tour amendments cannot be guaranteed within the 21-day window.
- For wholesale, travel trade, and 3rd party bookings, the cancellation and amendment policy can differ. Please refer to your booking contract for details.
- Promo or discounted bookings are non-refundable.
Prepare for Adventure
what to bring on your whale watching tour
It gets cold out on the water (trust us!), so we recommend windbreaker jackets, sweaters, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
It’s also a good idea to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a tight-fitting hat, binoculars, a camera to capture some memorable moments and, above all, your sense of adventure!
The boat used for this adventure is not wheelchair accessible. If you require assistance, please call us to book.
FAQS
Do tours run in all types of weather?
Tours operate rain or shine! Safety is our priority and, in extreme weather conditions or high winds, adventures may be cancelled at the discretion of our qualified crew. We will be in touch should this be the case.
What happens if we don’t see a whale?
This adventure is covered by our year-round Whale Sighting Guarantee. In the unlikely case, we do not see whales on this adventure, you can join us on another whale watching tour. This guarantee is valid for a lifetime!
Do passengers often feel seasick?
No, our boats are custom-built for whale watching with passengers in mind. Captain and crew will also do their best to minimize the impact of the sea. However, if you are prone to seasickness, we recommend you purchase non-drowsy Gravol from a pharmacy prior to your adventure with us.
Will we really see whales?
Yes! There is a high chance of seeing orcas, humpbacks, and other types of whale on your tour. Our year-round whale sighting success rate is ~95% (averaged across all of our adventures) with chances being even higher during summer months.
Is there parking on the premises?
While there is pay-parking on Granville Island, it fills up very quickly! We recommend to allot more time to park before your check-in time, as the parking lot between 10:00 am to 6:00 pm might be already full.
Are there bathrooms on the boat?
The boat we use for this tour is equipped with two airline-style washrooms.
Do I need to make a reservation?
Reservations are definitely recommended. Adventures often sell out and we don’t want you to be disappointed.
Starting from:
$229*
CAD/ADULT
*Subject to Seasonal Pricing +Taxes & Fees
Experience the majesty of the Salish Sea and its wildlife, from whales surfacing in unison to bald eagles soaring overhead. Explore the Strait of Georgia’s and Howe Sound’s currents in search of orcas and humpback whales, and listen to our marine mammal experts bring the animals’ stories to life (while you stay warm, dry and hydrated in the heated cabin, of course!) The quintessential whale watching experience for every adventurer.
March - November 
3-5 Hour Tour 
The perfect viewing platform
The perfect viewing platform
Year-round Whale Sighting Guarantee
Year-round Whale Sighting Guarantee
Free photo package
Free photo package
360 degree panoramic views
360 degree panoramic views
Hot drinks
Hot drinks
We are on Instagram
Did you know the Octopus is one of the smartest sea creatures?
Hi, I'm Ollie
I can answer any questions you may have about Prince of Whales, our tours, or anything else you might want to know. Before we set sail, know that while I try my best, I'm not perfect. If you notice something off, our human staff is here to help! Please contact us if you need any additional assistance.
