Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour
Immerse yourself in BC's coastal wildlife as you travel through the gulf islands archipelago in search of killer whales (orcas), humpbacks, sea lions, porpoises, eagles, and more. Your guide has an academic background in biology and a passion for marine life! Whale sightings are guaranteed or your next trip is FREE. Hop onboard our 12-passenger zodiac style vessel and you'll experience whales and other marine life right at water level! We'll fit you for an anti-exposure suits that will keep you warm and help protect you from the elements.
Options
Open Boat tour
Join our 3-4 hour whale watching cruise professionally guided by a marine naturalist with an academic background in marine biology. See orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and more!
What's included in Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Your day begins by checking in at our office 45 minutes before your departure time and then you'll head down to the boat as a group. You'll then be introduced to the Salish Sea ecosystem and wildlife as you cruise through the Gulf Islands archipelago in search of whales and other marine life. You'll learn about the different types of whales that use the Salish Sea, including their natural history, and their roles in the marine food web. Throughout your adventure, your captain will be in touch with other whale watching companies over VHF radio and will plan your route to maximize the area covered between vessels. You'll spend a full hour viewing whales, and your marine naturalist will provide real-time insights into their behaviors. Onboard catalogues are used to identify individual whales, and this data will be collected throughout the season and sent to the Centre for Whale Research, Keta Coastal Conservation, and the BC Cetacean Sightings Network. Your tour will wrap up with an educational talk on marine conservation focusing on threats to BC orca, and conservation initiatives will be discussed.
Inclusions
- Toilets onboard
- Anti-exposure suit provided
- Captain is certified by Transport Canada
- Professional guide with academic background in marine biology
- Parking not Included
- Lunch is not included.
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from office
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- Not suitable for pregnant women.
- Minimum numbers apply. If there are not enough passengers to meet requirements, there is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation, in which case an alternative date or full refund will be offered.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- Our office is located on Front Street, the seawall along downtown Nanaimo's waterfront.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
Please read the following carefully: Check-in is 45 minutes before your departure time and is mandatory for all passengers. We require a digital waiver form to be filled out by each guest before departure which will be available in our office. Minors waivers(18 years and younger) must be signed by a parent or guardian. If you require this waiver beforehand, please let us know. If there are any trip delays or cancellations due to sea conditions or low numbers, we will message you on the morning of your departure. If you will not have access to your email while you are in Nanaimo, please call after 8:00 am on the day of your trip to confirm your departure. We recommend that you bring the following: - Comfortable clothes and shoes. Please dress appropriately according to the weather - Water - Sunglasses + sunscreen - Cameras and/or video equipment (we can provide dry storage on the boat, cases still recommended) - Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness. Note: Seasickness is generally not an issue on our tours as we travel in an inland sea and are within sight of land the entire tour - Cash if you feel inspired to tip your crew at the end of your tour We are located at the Harbourfront Walkway at 5-90 Front Street, along the seawall in Nanaimo BC. If you're driving to our office there is paid parking nearby at the Pioneer Waterfront Plaza and the Harbour Front Parkade. Maffeo Sutton Park is recommended for parking RVs and other taller vehicles and is about a 10-minute walk from our office. If you need detailed directions or any assistance with transportation, please contact us once you are in Nanaimo or visit us online at www.vancouverislandwhalewatch.com. We're looking forward to having you aboard! We have a high success rate in finding whales (over 90%!), and most of the whales we find are orca and/or humpbacks. But if you don't see a whale then your next trip is on us! Your free offer is non-transferable and never expires.
