Victoria’s whale watching tours leave from the Inner Harbour and Fisherman’s Wharf. Two operators’ own pages agree that Bigg’s killer whales are seen year-round and that humpbacks are best from June to November; they differ on winter, and only one gives months for gray whales. Tours from the two operators cost $169 to $199 per adult plus taxes and fees. Sightings are never guaranteed, and boats must stay at least 100 m from most whales.
What might you see in your month?
Sightings are never guaranteed. The month text is Prince of Whales’ guide (published July 10, 2025); the “both operators” line uses Eagle Wing Tours’ FAQ as a second source. Neither is independent survey data. “Both operators” means the Prince of Whales month guide and Eagle Wing Tours’ FAQ agree. Bigg’s killer whales are reported year-round by both; humpbacks overlap from June to November.
See all twelve months
| Month | What the operator reports |
|---|---|
| January | Quiet season: limited tour availability. Some Bigg’s killer whales can still be seen, especially on Zodiac tours (weather permitting). |
| February | Quiet season: limited tour availability. Some Bigg’s killer whales can still be seen, especially on Zodiac tours (weather permitting). |
| March | Gray whales begin migrating north and sightings become more frequent. Tours begin running from Victoria. Orcas are in the area year-round. |
| April | Gray whales are still migrating north. Orcas are in the area year-round. Quieter on the water. |
| May | Bigg’s (transient) killer whales become more frequent in the Salish Sea and humpbacks start returning from their wintering grounds. |
| June | Bigg’s killer whales are frequent and humpback activity ramps up. |
| July | Peak season: the operator calls this the best time to see several species on one tour. |
| August | Peak season: humpbacks and orcas are commonly sighted. |
| September | Many humpbacks are still feeding before they head south; fewer crowds. |
| October | Humpback highlights: breaching, tail slaps and lunge-feeding; fewer crowds. |
| November | Quiet season: most tours pause or run less often. Some Bigg’s killer whales can be seen, especially on Zodiac tours (weather permitting). |
| December | Quiet season: limited tour availability. Some Bigg’s killer whales can be seen, especially on Zodiac tours (weather permitting). |
Where two operators agree, and where they differ
| Topic | Prince of Whales | Eagle Wing Tours | Compared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigg’s (transient) killer whales | Found in the Salish Sea throughout the year; some can still be seen in winter, especially on Zodiac tours (weather permitting). | “The mainstay of our killer whale sightings as they’re observed year-round.” | Agree |
| Humpback whales | Return from their wintering grounds from May; strongest July–November; September–October highlights. | “Observed most months of the year, but especially common from June through December.” | Partly agree Both put the best humpback months in summer and autumn. Eagle Wing also sees them in other months; Prince of Whales starts the return in May. |
| Gray whales | Migrating north; sightings become more frequent in March and April. | “Intermittent visitors” stopping during their long migration from Mexico to the Bering Sea. No months given. | Partly agree Both describe gray whales as passing migrants; only Prince of Whales gives months. |
| Minke whales | Occasionally spotted on Victoria tours. | In summer, often seen southeast of Victoria. | Partly agree Both describe minke whales as occasional or seasonal; Eagle Wing adds summer. |
| Winter tours | Quiet season from November to February with limited tour availability; Zodiac tours run year-round. | A heated semi-covered catamaran lets it run year-round, with “shoulder season” tours from December to April. | Differ Both run tours in winter. Prince of Whales stresses limited availability; Eagle Wing lists a December–April schedule. |
| Southern Resident killer whales | Not discussed on the pages we read. | Does not intentionally view them, and says they are no longer seen here often because of declining salmon numbers. | One source DFO sets a 1,000 m approach distance for Southern Residents in southern B.C. waters (see the rules below). |
Boat or zodiac? The published facts
| Operator and boat | Length | Tour length | Price (adult) | Runs | Washrooms | Leaves from | Also |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince of Whales Catamaran | 80 feet | 3–4 hours | $189 per adult plus taxes and fees (seasonal pricing) | March to November | Two on board | 812 Wharf Street, Victoria Adventure Centre (Inner Harbour); check in 30 minutes before | Three viewing elevations, interior space and an onboard snack bar; you may bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. |
| Prince of Whales Zodiac | 30 feet | 3–3.5 hours | $199 per adult plus taxes and fees (seasonal pricing) | Year-round | None on board; public washrooms in the operator’s lobby | 812 Wharf Street, Victoria Adventure Centre (Inner Harbour) | Sits low to the water. Also bookable as a private tour (3+ hours, $2,000 per boat). |
| Eagle Wing Tours Semi-covered catamaran (heated) | Not stated on the pages read | 3.5–4+ hours (May–November); 3+ hours (December–April) | CAD $179.00 (May–November) or CAD $169.00 (December–April), plus taxes and fees (seasonal pricing) | Year-round: May–November, then “shoulder season” December–April | Washrooms on board all vessels | Fisherman’s Wharf, Victoria | The operator says all four of its vessels are accessible and that service dogs are welcome. |
| Eagle Wing Tours Open boat | Not stated on the pages read | 3.5–4+ hours | CAD $179.00 plus taxes and fees (seasonal pricing) | May to October | Washrooms on board all vessels | Fisherman’s Wharf, Victoria | Listed as an open boat; the operator’s other boats are semi-covered. |
How close boats may go: the rules
- 100 mKeep at least 100 metres away from whales, dolphins and porpoises.
- 200 mKeep at least 200 metres away from whales, dolphins and porpoises that are resting or with a calf.
- 200 mKeep 200 metres away from all other killer whales in British Columbia and the Pacific Ocean.
- 1,000 mKeep 1,000 metres away from Southern Resident killer whales in southern B.C. coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet.*
- Keeping a minimum distance is the law. Getting too close could result in charges under the Fisheries Act, with fines up to $100,000.
- When within 1 kilometre of whales, slow down to less than 7 knots.
- An aircraft below 304.8 metres (1,000 feet) within one-half nautical mile of a marine mammal cannot perform a flight manoeuvre.
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How to use the calendar
Pick a month and the calendar shows what Prince of Whales reports for it, with a line for what both operators say. It is labelled as operator information because that is what it is: tour companies’ own guides, which also tell readers to expect a quieter winter. The comparison table shows where Prince of Whales and Eagle Wing Tours agree and differ. Species move between areas, so a month that lists a species does not mean you will see it on your tour.
The boat facts come from the two operators’ own pages. We do not rank operators, and other operators run tours from Victoria too; these two published the facts we could read.
Choosing between a boat and a Zodiac
Prince of Whales’ catamaran is 80 feet long, with two washrooms, three viewing elevations, interior space and an onboard snack bar. Its Zodiac is 30 feet, sits low to the water and has no washroom on board. Eagle Wing Tours lists a heated semi-covered catamaran, which it says lets it run year-round, and an open boat from May to October, with washrooms on board all its vessels, and says all four of its vessels are accessible. Prices, lengths and where each operator leaves from are in the boat table above.
Rules that apply to everyone on the water
The viewing distances are Canadian law under the Marine Mammal Regulations, not a tour-company policy, and they apply to private boats, kayaks and paddleboards too. The distances can change. DFO describes the 1,000 metre rule for Southern Resident killer whales as applying “pending publication in Canada Gazette II of amendments”, so read the current DFO page before you head out in your own boat.
Combine with
A tour leaves from the Inner Harbour, so it pairs naturally with the Royal BC Museum, the afternoon tea comparison or any of the things to do in the downtown area. If you arrive by BC Ferries or floatplane, the harbour is where you land.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for whale watching in Victoria?
Prince of Whales says the season usually runs from April to October with a peak from May to September, yet it also runs tours year-round and elsewhere gives April to November. Its guide reports gray whales in March and April, Bigg’s killer whales more frequent from May, and humpback highlights in September and October. Eagle Wing Tours says there is no best time of day and that humpbacks are especially common from June through December.
Can I see orcas in Victoria all year?
Both operators say so. Prince of Whales says Bigg’s (transient) killer whales are in the Salish Sea throughout the year and can still be seen in winter, especially on Zodiac tours, weather permitting. Eagle Wing Tours calls them the mainstay of its killer whale sightings because they are observed year-round. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How long are whale watching tours and what do they cost?
Prince of Whales lists a catamaran tour of 3–4 hours (March to November) from $189 per adult and a Zodiac tour of 3–3.5 hours (year-round) from $199, with a private Zodiac at $2,000 per boat. Eagle Wing Tours lists CAD $179.00 for its May–November half-day tours (3.5–4+ hours) and CAD $169.00 for December–April (3+ hours). All are plus taxes and fees with seasonal pricing; Prince of Whales does not name the currency.
Where do tours leave from?
Prince of Whales leaves from its Victoria Adventure Centre at 812 Wharf Street, below the Visitor Information Centre across the street from the Fairmont Empress, and asks guests to check in 30 minutes before. Eagle Wing Tours leaves from Fisherman’s Wharf.
How close can boats get to whales?
Fisheries and Oceans Canada says to keep at least 100 metres from whales, dolphins and porpoises, 200 metres from those that are resting or with a calf, and 200 metres from all other killer whales in British Columbia. For Southern Resident killer whales between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet the distance is 1,000 metres, under the Canada Shipping Act pending publication of the amendments. Getting too close can lead to Fisheries Act charges with fines up to $100,000.
Is there a refund if no whales are seen?
This operator offers a whale sightings guarantee: another tour if no whales are seen on the first, with taxes and fees on the new ticket paid by the guest. Cancellation terms depend on the booking, so read the operator’s terms before you book.