Do you have questions about Whale Watching? Well, you have come to the right place. Here are some common questions and their answers. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We typically run our Ocean Cruiser (Marauder IV) tours at 10 AM and 2 PM from April through October.
Zodiac tours depart at 10 AM and 2 PM from April to October and 12 PM throughout the fall and winter.
Sunset tours on both boats are available June – August.
Our tours typically run for about 3 hours. We recommend allowing a little extra time, as we sometimes stay out longer to make sure you get the best experience possible.
We understand that plans can change. You are welcome to modify or cancel your reservation at no cost with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. Cancellations made within 48 hours are non-refundable.
- Warm layers
- Closed-toe shoes
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Water bottle
We offer complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and tea on all Ocean Cruiser Tours. Premium drinking water, granola bars and protein bars are also available for cash purchase onboard.
Our peak season runs from June to October, but whales can be spotted in these waters all year long.
There’s no “best” time of the day – great sightings can happen anytime!
In 2025 we achieved a sightings success rate of over 95%! While wildlife can be unpredictable, we want you to have the best chance of seeing whales. If we don’t encounter whales on your tour, you are welcome to join us again on a standby basis – your base fare is on us (taxes and fees still apply). Our whale guarantee never expires.
Bathrooms are only available onboard the Ocean Cruiser and not on the Zodiacs.
Always allow an extra 30 minutes to find parking, should you choose to drive. The summer months are very busy, and parking can be hard to find if there are special events in town. Come early, park without stress, and enjoy the harbour’s ambience. Please be aware that we cannot delay departures due to late passengers.
There are two parking lots close to our check-in office
- WestPark Lot 708 at 1112 Wharf Street (3 min walk)
- Yates Street Parkade at 575 Yates Street (5 min walk)
Please be aware that street parking only has a 90-minute limit and we suggest arranging at least 4.5 hours of parking.
Additional parking options
RV Parking
Daytime RV parking is allowed at the surface lot at Kingston Street and Montreal Street (20 min walk).
EV Charging
- Public Level 2 EV charging stations are available within 10 minute walking distance at:
- View Street Parkade (743 View Street)
- Johnson Street Parkade (750 Johnson Street)
Both stations are part of the FLO network and accept payment via app, RFID card, or credit card guest mode (no account needed).
We’re located at 1119 Wharf Street, right in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Many BC Transit routes stop just a short walk away. Here are the closest stops:
- Fort at Wharf (3 min walk) – for Routes 14, 15
- Wharf at Broughton (4 min walk) – for Route 10
- Burdett Ave at Douglas (10 min walk) – for Routes 4, 7, 27, 28, 7N
- Legislature Exchange (Belleville St) (12 min walk) – for Routes 30, 31, 75
Use the BC Transit Trip Planner to find the best route from your location — just enter “1119 Wharf Street” as your destination.
It gets chilly on the water! Always bring extra layers, even if it’s a nice day out! We recommend close-toed shoes, jacket, sweater, hat and gloves.
When riding the Zodiac, it is always important to dress extra warm! We provide cruiser suits that are mandatory for all individuals on our zodiac tours. Although these suits may seem warm enough, they are not waterproof and will not keep you dry. It’s never a bad idea to bring extra layers just in case!
Guests should arrive no later than 30 minutes before their departure time. This ensures that we have enough time to get everyone checked-in and ready in time for their tour!
Yes! Pregnant women are welcome aboard the Ocean Cruiser, unless otherwise specified by their doctor.
Pregnant women are however unable to ride on our Zodiac tours.
Back in the day, our Ocean Cruiser, the Marauder IV was a well-known charter sport fishing yacht working out of Vancouver’s Bayshore Hotel. She was kind of like royalty. Marauder IV is still recognized in our waters by people who remember her. We have left her name intact because…well…it’s a sentimental thing.
We offer complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and tea on all Ocean Cruiser Tours. Premium drinking water, granola bars and protein bars are also available for cash purchase onboard.