Campbell River Whale Watching Tours

Vancouver Island offers some of the best whale watching opportunities in British Columbia. Our Campbell River whale watching tours cruise deep into the narrow channels and inlets of the Discovery Island Archipelago and Desolation Sound in search of the biggest and most exciting marine wildlife. Escape reality and be surrounded by mountains, tidal rapids, and wildlife on an adventure tour of a lifetime!

Wildlife we see in Campbell River

Humpback whales
Bigg’s (transient) killer whales
Pacific white-sided dolphins
Steller sea lions
California sea lions
Bald eagles
Harbor seals
Porpoises (Harbour & Dall’s)
Black bears
Grizzly bears
Colourful sea birds

Pick your favourite CAMPBELL RIVER Whale Watching tour

4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Tour

Zodiac Tour

See why Campbell River is quickly becoming known as whale watching hotspots on Vancouver Island! This is our most popular family-friendly tour, and takes place on our fun and stable zodiacs. Cruise throughout the Salish Sea and Desolation Sound in search of the biggest and most exciting marine mammals that call this region home. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop for breaks at interesting and historical sites in this beautiful area.

What’s included:

A knowledgeable and experienced captain and marine naturalist
Hydrophone, to listen to the whales underwater
Snacks and drinks
Sanitized cruiser suits, hats, gloves, goggles
Land-based bathroom and snack break
A fun, educational experience you won't soon forget!

7 HOUR BIG ANIMAL ENCOUNTER

Covered Vessel Tour

Cruise deep into the current-swept channels and inlets of the Discovery Islands Archipelago. This tour takes place aboard our covered vessels which have a comfortable indoor seating area and spacious outdoor viewing deck. This tour covers a vast area where we often encounter humpback whales, killer whales, bears, sea lions, seals, dolphins, and a range of colourful sea birds. Join us for this incredible once-in-a-lifetime Campbell River whale watching tour!

What’s included:

Guaranteed whale sightings!
A knowledgeable and experienced captain and marine naturalist
Hydrophone, to listen to the whales underwater
Snacks, drinks, and a delicious lunch provided by a local business
Bathroom onboard
A fun, educational experience you won't soon forget!

Welcome Aboard Big Animal Encounters

Based in Campbell River and Comox on beautiful Vancouver Island. We’re a passionate and professional team of wildlife enthusiasts – and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard for the whale watching tour of a lifetime!

Click below to learn more about us and meet our crew.

Would you rather have your own private boat tour?

You’re the admiral as we explore Desolation Sound under the towering scenic mountains and current-swept bays. Hire a vessel and crew for the day, and bring your friends and family along for a Campbell River whale watching tour they will not soon forget! Zodiacs and covered vessels available.

Custom and personalized private boat tours for:

Photographers
Families
Birthday parties
Corporate events… and more!

Highly recommend Big Animal Encounters...worth every penny

What a spectacular day! The whale watching companies all work together to make sure your experience is maximized. Everyone wants everyone to see what there is to see and I love that "share the wealth" mentality. The staff are all lovely and make sure you have everything you need before you head out. Shannon was our guide for afternoon and she was fantastic! So kind and fun and knowledgeable, not only about the whales, but about the other wildlife you see, the area itself and a lot of other fun little tidbits along the way. The 4hrs goes so fast! It was SO GOOD!

The boat ride itself was worth the money

I was very impressed with this operation. From the minute we walked in to the minute we left. The boat ride was fun, the scenery was absolutely amazing and we some some humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions. We were well taken care off, with Chris always making sure everyone is okay throughout the trip. We felt safe, entertained and had so much fun with my 7 year old. I'd do it again. If we lived in Campbell River, we'd do it at least once a month. Thank you for the wonderful experience.