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Vancouver Island Whale Watch

#5-90 Front St · Nanaimo, BC

Why you should go…

Vancouver Island Whale Watch departs from Front Street on Nanaimo's downtown seawall for 3- to 5-hour tours of the Salish Sea. Guests choose between open Zodiac-style boats (Cascadia and Keta) and the semi-covered Kula, which has a cabin with windows and an open viewing platform. Orcas, humpbacks, grey and minke whales are the targets, along with seals, sea lions, porpoises and bald eagles. Public tours run March to October with private charters year-round; the adult fare is $219 CAD plus tax, and if no whale is seen guests receive a voucher for another trip.

  • #whale watching
  • #orcas
  • #zodiac
  • #nanaimo
  • #salish sea

Good to know

General tours guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Confirm the meeting point

    It is often a corner, a lobby, or a dock rather than the address you searched for. Check it the night before.

  • Small groups fill first

    In high season the intimate departures sell out well before the big-bus options do.

  • Ask how much is on foot

    Knowing how much of the route is walking, standing, or outdoors tells you what to wear and carry.

  • Read the weather policy

    Cancellation windows and rain rules vary by operator, and they are easier to find before you pay than after.

What's around here?

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