Do you have questions about Whale Watching? Well you’ve 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 generally offer the Ocean Cruiser (Marauder IV) tours departing at 10am and 2pm April through October.
The Zodiac departures are also offered at 10am and 2pm, May through September and 12pm throughout the fall and winter!
Sunset tours are available June – August.
Our tours are 3 hours in length. A tip for you – it’s best to allow some extra time for your tour, because sometimes we stay a little longer to give you the best trip possible!
Need to cancel or reschedule your tour? Contact us 48 hours prior to the departure and we will cancel your booking and with a full refund!
- Your camera
- Warm clothes – jackets, hats, gloves.
- Closed shoes, running or deck shoes are perfect
- A sense of adventure!
Complimentary hot beverages are offered on-board our Ocean Cruiser – Maurader IV. You are more than welcome to bring your own bottle of water or snacks on any of our tours!
Peak season is June – October however whales can be seen in our waters year around!
There is no better time to see whales throughout the day.
SpringTide offers a lifetime whale watching guarantee! If you don’t see any whales on your first tour with us, we are happy to take you out until you do (offered on a standby basis).
Bathrooms are only available onboard Marauder IV and not on the Zodiacs.
Always allow an extra 30 minutes to find parking, should you choose to drive. There are two parking lots close to our check-in office:
Bastion Square Parkade (575 Yates Street)
WestPark Lot 708 (1112 Wharf Street)
Please be aware that street parking only has a 90 minute limit and we suggest at least 4.5 hours of parking arranged.
It gets chilly on the water! Always bring extra layers, even if it’s a nice day out! We recommend close-toed shoes, jackets and/or sweaters.
When riding the Zodiac, it is always important to dress warm! Cruiser suits 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, Marauder IV was a well-known charter sport fishing yacht working out of Vancouver’s Bayshore Hotel. She was kind of like royalty. She’s still recognized in our waters by people who remember her. We’ve left her name intact because…well…it’s a sentimental thing.