Common Questions

Here are four criteria for choosing the best whale watching tour for you:

1. Inside or outside: you can choose the speedy adventure of an open air zodiac tour or the relaxing comfort inside a cruiser tour.
2. Best team in the business: Ensure that company you chose has qualified staff, the knowledge of our orca naturalists is more than a requirement of the job – it’s a way of life.
3. Environmental impact: Understand the priorities of the company, at Orca Spirit we believe in the preserving and promoting the health of our neighbouring natural habitats above all else and have the awards to prove it.
4. Choose your season: There’s simply nothing better than a whale watching tour in BC with Orca Spirit, some prefer viewing beneath the summer sun, while others prefer cooler spring and fall viewings. Some even come in the winter months for an uncrowded adventure.

While it is possible to see whales at any time of the year, there is a peak season from May through October. During this peak season we boast a greater than 95% chance of spotting whales in Victoria, particularly resident orcas, humpback whales, and transient orcas! In addition to these giants of the sea, we see a number of other wildlife during our tours!

Yes! Orca Spirit Adventures offers a courtesy shuttle service for all guests. We’ll pick you up at your downtown Victoria hotel—and when your whale watching adventure is over, we’ll drop you back at the hotel.

The day before your tour we prepare our shuttle schedule and will contact you directly to provide you with a time frame in which the shuttle will get you from your hotel. Pickups are anywhere from and hour and half to thirty minutes before the schedule tour departure time depending on the hotel location.

Our covered vessel tours welcome people of all ages, but the zodiacs are restricted to those that are 6 years old and above.

Southern Vancouver Island is the best place to see whales in the wild! There is a chance of seeing a number of different species of whales including Bigg’s Killer Whales, humpback whales, Minke whales, and gray whales in addition to other wildlife including but not limited to seals, sea lions, bald eagles, cormorants, and the Race Rocks Lighthouse resident sea otter – Ollie! All of this being said, these are wild animals that we are viewing and so there is the chance of them being a little more elusive some days, which is why we offer our Whale Guarantee. In the event of a no-whale trip, you are invited back with us for a complimentary tour. No rush, this is a life-time guarantee as we want to bring all of our guests’ whale watching dreams to life.

Yes! If you are joining us on a zodiac tour, we recommend talking to captain before your tour as he may recommend that you put it in the dry storage beneath your seat depending on the wind, weather, and sea conditions on the day of tour. Onboard covered vessel tours, if we experience inclement weather you can leave it in the heated indoor cabin, protected from the elements.

There is a bathroom onboard all covered vessel tours.

Snacks and pop available for purchase for $3 on board during covered vessel tours.

Victoria- 24 hour cancellation policy

Port Renfrew- 72 hour cancellation policy

Victoria and its surrounding waters are world renowned for the many species of whales and the wildlife tours offered. Our guests travel from all over the world to get the chance to see Orca, Humpback, Gray and Minke whales in their natural habitat. We offer a year round “whale guarantee”. Any time spent with these majestic creatures is truly a memorable experience. However, being that these marine mammals are not tracked using damaging sonar or constant boat or aerial surveillance, they can be, at times, elusive. Many guests ask “what if we don’t see any whales?” For our staff at Orca Spirit Adventures the answer is easy, we offer our guests the opportunity to join us again on another free tour. Here are a few details the customer should know to redeem their free secondary tour:

• Orca Spirit Adventures office automatically ‘flags’ the tour as a “No Whale’ tour. Eliminating the need for guests to return to the office for further paperwork.
• Orca Spirit Adventures whale guarantee is not species specific.
• Guests are booked on a stand-by basis and subject to Transport Canada vessel capacity and mandatory staffing requirements.
• Non-transferable (photo ID may be required at check-in).
• Orca Spirit Adventures reserves the right to substitute vessels (preserving covered boat or zodiac style).
• Orca Spirit Adventures reserves the right to alter or cancel departures of any trip based on weather conditions, mechanical problems or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Orca Spirit Adventures offer is valid for life and does not expire.

There are many ways to get to Orca Spirit Adventures and we want to encourage you to take the most environmentally friendly route! Are you within walking distance? Consider a lovely stroll to either of our locations. Within the downtown core? We offer a complimentary shuttle to reduce the amount of traffic on the road. Call our office to reserve your seat at 250-383-8411. A little further way? Consider taking public transportation. For all regional bus schedules and routes go to the BC Transit website and start planning your trip. Need further directions? We’re happy to help!

Exciting and sometimes quite adventurous. Depending on the weather and conditions on the water, the experience can be wild and wet, smooth and dry, or any combination of the two. A typical zodiac trip experiences more ocean spray, and passengers can be splashed at some point along the route.

Routes vary depending on whale sightings and weather. A typical route takes us along Victoria’s scenic waterfront to Oak Bay and the Chain Islets, where we pause to watch harbour seals and sea birds. From there, we often head east to San Juan Island, or north along the Saanich Peninsula. When whale sighting reports come in, we typically alter our course towards whales within range of the boat. Round trip distance is usually 50 to 80 km.

During the summer (June through August), light summer tops and pants or shorts are fine, but it’s a good idea to bring layers such as a fleece jacket or sweater. It is surprisingly cool traveling quickly over the ocean. On cool days, evening trips and during the spring (April – May) and fall (September – October), long pants, sweaters, snug fitting hats and warm footwear is recommended.

Yes. Full-length cruiser suits (extra small to double extra large) are supplied for your comfort and safety for all zodiac tours. These Transport Canada-approved flotation suits provide protection from ocean spray and the cool ocean air.

Dress warmly with additional layer as it does get colder out on the water. You can also bring your sunglasses, camera, tight fitting hat, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure!

No. Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, located 112 kilometers across the Georgia Strait from the city of Vancouver. Luckily, if you are staying in Vancouver there are plenty of options to get here!

By Plane: Harbour Air will fly you from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria in just 35 minutes! Check out our Harbour Air package for savings!

By Helicopter: Helijet flies daily from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria in 30 minutes.

By Car: BC Ferries car and passenger service for Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Victoria) departs from Tsawwassen (approx. one hour drive from downtown Vancouver). Daily sailings from Tsawwassen to Schwartz Bay (Victoria) typically run between 7:00 am – 9:00 pm.

By Bus: Visit the BC Transit website for information on how to get to Victoria by bus.

There is a parking lot at the corner of the Quebec Street and Montreal Street about a half block from our office. As well, there is another lot at the corner of Kingston Street and Menzie Street.

Wharf Street Departures

Yes, there are pay parking lots at this office as well as street parking.

Coast Hotel & Marina by APA Departures

There is a parking lot at the corner of the Quebec Street and Montreal Street about a half block from our office. As well, there is another lot at the corner of Kingston Street and Menzie Street.

Plenty — sea planes in motion, commercial fishing vessels, tugs towing barges and log booms, naval ships, freighters, sailboats and yachts of all descriptions, hang gliders and wind surfers, shoreline reefs, islands, kelp beds, lighthouses, waves, fog banks, reflections, mirages, sunsets, mountains, cloud formations, an ever-changing seascape, not to mention our very entertaining crew!

Orca Spirit is the only whale watching company in Victoria to use ultra-quiet, ultra clean Yamaha four-stroke engines that create minimal disturbance to the marine wildlife. They minimize vibration and run much more quietly than standard outboards, allowing our passengers to hear what’s going on above and below the water. The engines’ exclusive “Inertia Charge System” delivers superior power, yet provides up to 30% more range and fuel efficiency than a conventional two-stroke. These engines are so clean-running that they exceed the U.S.A. Federal EPA emission standards for 2006.

Our covered yachts and cruisers, with seating of up to 200, are fully equipped with a variety of comforts such as heated cabins, padded interior seating, washrooms, kitchen and bar facilities, 360 degree and elevated viewing platforms, full length tinted windows, surround sound systems and video monitors. Orca Spirit’s custom-designed Zodiac inflatables offer you a first class marine adventure that’s safe, educational and fun for the whole family. Modelled after fast-response Coast Guard rescue vessels, zodiacs combine speed with extraordinary stability while cruising at 25-35 knots. They are fully equipped with padded bench seating and cushioned backrest and full length Mustang Cruiser government-approved flotation suits. Each vessel is inspected annually by the Coast Guard.

Victoria

All of our tours in Victoria are 3 hours in duration, departing from two locations; Wharf Street Inner Harbor and Coast Harbourside Hotel and Marina. A typical 3 hour tour takes you along the waterfront of Oak Bay and the Chain Islets allowing you to see harbor seals and sea birds. These tours also allow our captains to explore many areas within the Haro Strait as well as the Juan de Fuca Strait. Round trip distance is usually 50 to 80 km.

Port Renfrew

Our zodiac tours departing from Port Renfrew are 3-3.5 hours in duration and are offered daily at 9am & 2pm hours. These tours are offered daily at 1pm during June 1st-September 15th. In addition to whale and wildlife watching, we’ll cruise by the Lighthouse at Carmanah Point, Sea Lion Rock, Hole in the Wall and the West Coast & Juan de Fuca Trails. Every day is new in this temperate rainforest so keep your eyes open for seals, sea lions, eagles, sea birds, porpoise, dolphins, whales and bears. Round trip distance is usually 50 to 80 km.

You can learn more about our individual tours here!

Victoria Covered and Zodiac Boat 2023 Tour Rates

• Adult (19+):$145
• Youth (13-18):$115
• Child (3-12):$99
• Infant (0-2): Free

Victoria: Zodiac Vessel Tour Rates 2023

• All Ages (6+):$155

Port Renfrew Zodiac Tour Rates 2023

• Adult (15+):$169
• Child (6-14):$169

All prices are subject to GST (5%)

Every guests contribute a $4 Wildlife Conservation Fee, $2 to the Pacific Salmon Foundation which goes towards the restoration of the salmon in the Salish Sea. $1 to the Marine Education and Research Society (M.E.R.S) which helps with their efforts focus on Humpback Whales and Minke Whales off British Columbia’s coast while providing research, education and response to promote understanding and conservation of marine ecosystems. Finally, $1 goes to supporting other initiatives.

If you’re wanting an unforgettable full salt-air experience then look no further than one of our zodiac tours.

Orca Spirit offers Victoria’s largest fleet of 12 passenger zodiac style vessels–renowned for their durability, seaworthiness, stability and performance. For the adventurous at heart, these custom built open aired vessels offer an exhilarating, stable and exciting ride in all weather conditions. Our Zodiacs are aluminum-hulled and built for speeds of up to 30 knots to make your whale watching experience, both safe and exciting.

Orca Spirit’s custom-designed Zodiac inflatables offer you a first class marine adventure that’s safe, educational and fun for the whole family. Modelled after fast-response Coast Guard rescue vessels, zodiacs combine speed with extraordinary stability while cruising at 25-35 knots. Each vessel is inspected annually by the Coast Guard.

Nothing is more important to our Orca Spirit team than the safety of all our passengers and crew. Each of our vessels is fully equipped with personal flotation devices, rescue equipment, fire detection monitors and extinguishers, safety navigation, and passenger safety orientations are conducted by our highly knowledgeable and certified naturalists before every trip. Orca Spirit takes pride in never having a single safety incident in over 30 years of service.

Having the largest fleet in Victoria allows us to have multiple departure times each day. This will allow us to accommodate bookings up to the day prior, but if you are looking for a specific time and date while in Victoria we always suggest to book further in advance so we are able to accommodate your requests.

If you are prone to getting sea-sick, but would still like to come out and experience the wild with Orca Spirt Adventures we would recommend you going out on one of our 3 hr. Zodiac Vessel tours. Our Zodiacs are open vessels allowing you to have a constant fresh air and are known to offer a stable but exciting ride. If you are planning on coming out on a tour with us and looking for some precautions to take before the tour, we recommend you taking Gravol ginger chews, or any kind of candied ginger to help ease your stomach. We have Gravol ginger in our gift shops for adults and children that are available for purchase before going out on any tours.