Vancouver Island Land-Based Whale Watching Guide

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Welcome to Vancouver Island Land-Based Whale Watching Guide!

This island is the largest in North America, and there are many areas along it where you can see Orcas. I've highlighted spots around Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River.

At the first spot for each location, you will find all the tools for that locality.

You can navigate it by scrolling or manually maneuvering the map to click on individual spots to learn more about them.

Tool

 Whale Report App : This link will bring you to an app run by OceanWise where you can report your sightings of whales in BC that can be used to alert ships to their presence!

Travel

 Vancouver to Victoria Ferry : To get to Victoria by Ferry, you will depart from  Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal  (pronounced tah-WASS-en) near Vancouver and arrive in  Swartz Bay , North of Victoria. Be sure to  RESERVE  your tickets before you go and be on time or else they will give someone your spot.

 Flying to Victoria : You can fly into Victoria through the Victoria International Airport,  YYJ , or by Float Plane from Vancouver or Seattle with  Harbor Air  or  Kenmore Air.  If you choose to fly and are trying to see wildlife from land, renting a car in Victoria to follow them is beneficial.

 Vancouver to Nanaimo Ferry : To get to Nanaimo by Ferry, you will depart from  Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal  near Vancouver and arrive in  Departure Bay , slightly North of Nanaimo. Be sure to  RESERVE  your tickets before you go and be on time else they will give someone your spot. If you're going to Campbell River, your best bet is to take the ferry to Nanaimo and drive North to Campbell River.

Local Tour Recommendation

  Vancouver Island Whale Watch : Launching out of the largest island off North America, it offers an avenue to see the coast and its wildlife right at the surface. Book with code: theorcaman for 10% OFF

If you want to come on a tour with me -  join the waiting list  for upcoming tours!

Be sure to follow the  Be Whale Wise Guidelines  on your adventure.