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Wild Whale Watching Experience - Open Air Vessel

150 Reviews 4.95 out of 5 stars Based on 150 reviews collected by Cool Vancouver and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 99% of reviewers | Vancouver, Canada

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

5 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

We are Granville Island's pioneer (original) whale watching company. We offer intimate tours guided by marine naturalists who are passionate about wildlife and conservation. We do not attempt to influence the behaviours of the wildlife we encounter. Instead, we are able to observe animals behaving naturally and in their natural environment. The animals are never asked to perform. We contribute the data we collect toward marine based research and conservation initiatives. We are accredited as an authorized whale watching vessel and can legally approach wildlife closer than other vessels can, while still maintaining a respectful and safe distance.

What's Included

  • Bottled water We prefer that our guests bring a refillable water bottle (to save on single use plastics), but we carry extra bottled water on board just in case!
  • Sunscreen
  • Full length (arms and legs), one piece, anti-exposure flotation suit (to be worn overtop of your clothing)
  • Snacks The journey can last up to 5 hours depending on where the whales are, so it is recommended that our guests bring their own snacks on board.
  • An optional gratuity for your guide and your captain is greatly appreciated by our staff
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Mast Tower Lane
Vancouver, BC V6H 4B6, Canada

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Departing from historic Granville Island, your 3-5 hour journey starts by offering unparalleled views of Vancouver from the water. As you head out of English Bay and into the Strait of Georgia, we will be on the search for orca (killer whales), humpback, minke, and/or grey whales. Along your cruise, we are also looking for a variety of additional wildlife species, including; Steller and California sea lions, harbour or Dall's porpoises, harbour seals, bald eagles, great blue herons, and many other seabird species. Your adventure is professionally guided by a marine naturalist. They will share insight on animal behaviour, providing you with a fun and educational experience. You will learn about the wildlife, ecology, history, and geography of our local waters, with a particular emphasis on marine conservation.

This tour is on Eagle Eyes, our open-air vessel. This boat offers an unrestricted 360° view of the surrounding water and wildlife. Guests booked on Eagle Eyes will get a full-length anti-exposure suit to provide shelter from any elements you might encounter on your adventure!

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with neck problems
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Wild Whale Watching Experience – Open Air Vessel?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-43744P4

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.95
150 reviews

Average 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 150 traveler reviews collected by Cool Vancouver and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
143
4 stars
6
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0

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On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Bottled waterWe prefer that our guests bring a refillable water bottle (to save on single use plastics), but we carry extra bottled water on board just in case!
  • Sunscreen
  • Full length (arms and legs), one piece, anti-exposure flotation suit (to be worn overtop of your clothing)
  • Single use ear plugs can be provided upon request
  • Ginger candy can be provided upon request for travellers that may be experiencing motion sickness
  • Field guides, whale identification guides, and learning materials can be borrowed on board
  • SnacksThe journey can last up to 5 hours depending on where the whales are, so it is recommended that our guests bring their own snacks on board.
  • An optional gratuity for your guide and your captain is greatly appreciated by our staff

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with neck problems
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

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Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

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  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
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  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.