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Vancouver Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Vancouver Cruises & boat tours

Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour

1. Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour

Experience the awe and inspiration of seeing whales in their natural environment on this unique whale-watching excursion from Vancouver. Get the chance to spot orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales, as well as porpoises and seals. Depart from Granville Island in downtown Vancouver on a high-speed, custom-built, luxury catamaran that takes you on a fully-guided whale watching and marine wildlife tour. As you set out from Vancouver, choose whether you want to stay inside the heated cabin or head outside and pick from 3 different viewing areas on 2 levels that are perfect for photography. Marvel at the beauty of the Strait of Georgia on this outdoor adventure. As you sail, learn about the history of the area and the local marine wildlife from your knowledgeable crew. Immerse yourself completely in this incredible experience while we take free high-resolution photos of the wildlife, yourself, and your loved ones! It is the quintessential whale-watching experience for every adventurer. Select the half-day cruise, or opt for the sunset option to watch the sun go down over the water.

Vancouver 2.5-Hour Sunset Dinner Buffet Cruise

2. Vancouver 2.5-Hour Sunset Dinner Buffet Cruise

Gaze out on the downtown skyline, the mountains behind the North Shore, and the West Vancouver shoreline, all on this special Vancouver dinner cruise. Be served a delicious West Coast style buffet dinner accompanied by in-house music. On this 2.5-hour cruise, prepare to see the best sights of Vancouver as you sail along the water. Watch as the sun slowly disappears into the Pacific Ocean as you create an unforgettable memory. On board, you'll be treated to an all-you-can-eat West Coast themed buffet dinner. Dine on your meal as you savor the sounds of music. Get up and dance or take a stroll on the deck to see the city skyline from your vantage point on the water.

Indian Arm Half-Day Lunch Cruise from Vancouver

3. Indian Arm Half-Day Lunch Cruise from Vancouver

Escape the hustle and bustle of Vancouver city center on a spectacular cruise through the inland waters of Indian Arm, a 12-mile (18-kilometer) mountain fjord located right on the city’s backyard. Climb aboard the luxurious MV Harbour Princess, and discover the calm waters of Indian Arm as you feast on a catered buffet lunch. Drift serenely past Silver Falls, looking out for native wildlife, such as seals, eagles, herons, and even black bears. The route navigates its way through Vancouver's inner harbor to Burrard Inlet, a shallow coastal fjord that was formed in the last Ice Age. Then, head north to Indian Arm, nestled within the Coast Mountains. The area was once heavily glaciated, leaving behind a dramatic landscape for you to enjoy, including lush forests that protect the inlet from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Sea Vancouver Waterfront Sightseeing Adventure

4. Sea Vancouver Waterfront Sightseeing Adventure

Choose from a morning or afternoon departure and slip into the required red cruiser suit to get a safety tutorial. Then, board the open-air, purpose-built zodiac boat and set off on a scenic ride through Burrard Inlet. Get up close to native wildlife and listen to the expert commentary as you navigate the waterways at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (50 kilometers per hour). Admire the lush greenery of Coal Harbour, North Shore, English Bay, False Creek and Stanley Park, looking for dolphins, harbor seals and bald eagles along the way. Marvel at the skyscrapers of British Columbia’s largest city as you cruise back to harbor.

Vancouver: 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner

5. Vancouver: 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner

The tour departs from Granville Island at 5:30pm and heads across the scenic and tranquil water towards Bowen Island. From your stylish boat, admire Vancouver’s stunning skyline while listening to interesting commentary and fun facts about the city. There’s also the opportunity to see some native marine wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled throughout the sail. Upon arrival at Bowen Island, enjoy an incredible dinner at one of the location’s very best restaurants, accompanied by refreshing drinks. Afterwards, spend some time exploring the local shops on the island and soaking up the friendly, small town vibe. Finally, get back on board the boat for the journey back to Vancouver, passing through the beautiful Howe Sound along the way for more sightseeing.

Vancouver Whale Watching Safari

6. Vancouver Whale Watching Safari

Experience the thrill of the high seas as you embark on the search for the famous Killer Whales. Benefit from the experience of your tour guide and sighting chances of around 90%. Keep an eye out for the notorious Killer Whale, grey whales, seals, dolphins, sea lions, bald eagles and many other aquatic animals. Professionally trained naturalists and guides will provide more information and facts about the wildlife you will see. Before you set sail, enjoy pick up from your accommodation in Vancouver and drive to the place where the covered boat is docked. Enjoy the adventure onboard the boat, equipped with many facilities including toilets. Drinks will be served on board. Marvel at the magical islands of the Canadian Pacific coast as you travel and experience a truly spectacular natural event. A visit to Vancouver's Granville Island is also included.

Taste of the West Coast Seaplane Tour

7. Taste of the West Coast Seaplane Tour

This tour offers a taste of all there is to love about the West Coast! Depart downtown Vancouver by shuttle and travel to Sewell’s Marina in Horseshoe Bay. There you will enjoy a two-hour guided nature tour that showcases unique marine wildlife. Recharge from the tour by dining at Doc Morgans restaurant. Complete your day with an exciting seaplane flight back to downtown Vancouver. With over 50 aircraft currently, Harbour Air and Westcoast Air operate the largest all-seaplane fleet in the world. DeHavilland DHC-3 Turbine Single Otters and Twin Otters service regularly scheduled flights between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. DHC-2 Beavers service the Gulf Islands. Cessna 185 aircraft are available for charter.

Vancouver: Private Tour and Seaplane Excursion

8. Vancouver: Private Tour and Seaplane Excursion

Explore Vancouver from above with this lovely scenic journey for 20 minutes on a seaplane, starting from Vancouver downtown harbor and fly over Stanley Park English Bay, Lions Gate, North Shore and Vancouver city. The itinerary includes a Vancouver downtown overview of major historic landmark buildings, Canada Place, Robson and Georgia Street, China Town, Historic Gastown, Stanley Park with Totem Poles and Prospect Point.  Explore the public market at the Granville Island for one hour. The last stop on the tour is a visit to Queen Elizabeth park.

Victoria and Butchart Gardens by Seaplane

9. Victoria and Butchart Gardens by Seaplane

Combine adventure and culture on this unique day trip to Victoria and the famous Butchart Gardens. Leaving from Vancouver in the morning, you will be picked-up from your hotel and taken for a thrilling journey in a seaplane over the fascinating islands of the Canadian Pacific coast. Land in Victoria city center at around 9:00 AM, giving you plenty of your own time to stroll the streets and admire the quirky English style. Depends on your choice of shuttle time, you'll be driven to the world-famous Butchart Gardens by a scheduled shuttle bus. Once there, you'll have about 2 hours to admire the flowers and other plant life in these impressive gardens. An excellent live commentary will be performed on the bus by a guide driver. Travel back to Vancouver in a comfortable, take a seaplane departs at 5 or 6 PM. Arrive back at your hotel in Vancouver at around 6 or 7 PM.

Frequently asked questions about Vancouver

What top attractions are a must-see in Vancouver?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Vancouver?

The best day trips and excursions from Vancouver are:

Whistler

Other Sightseeing Options in Vancouver

Want to discover all there is to do in Vancouver? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Vancouver

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 367 reviews

That was my first whale watching tour. And I was really excited. The guides do their job with full dedication and joy. And you don't feel in a "mass processing". We had to "search" for whales a little longer but actually found them. And you always acted with a lot of respect for the animals. Informed us a lot and also diligently looked in your "book" whether it is a whale you know. I would do it again at any time and the price-performance ratio is more than reasonable. We were on the road for a full 5 hours. And we didn't have the best weather because we had a lot of fog banks. But they knew how to avoid them.

It was cold and pouring, but the team gave us an unforgettable afternoon. The catamaran offered all amenities, so that you could warm up, dry off and have a hot tea in between. And we also saw whales several times. The photo service was great, so you could concentrate on looking

Was on the fence about this one, but so glad I went. It was a blast, tour guide, Elias, was funny and informative.

Experienced guides, after the trip they send you there pictures for free!

It was perfect. A very nice team. We saw a lot of animals.