Humpback whale · Canada
Where to see humpback whales in Canada
About this list
A common trap when looking for places to see humpback whales in Canada is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the humpback whale as a target species, 9 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: British Columbia & Richmond Steveston, British Columbia & Vancouver Island, British Columbia & Victoria, Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador & St John's and Newfoundland and Labrador & Trinity. Encounters are split into boat-based watching. Two "humpback whale tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. 6 of the 9 operators (67%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The 6 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in Canada cluster in May–Oct. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.
Humpback whale season in Canada
May–Oct
- JanJanuary: not in season
- FebFebruary: not in season
- MarMarch: not in season
- AprApril: not in season
- MayMay: in season
- JunJune: in season
- JulJuly: in season
- AugAugust: in season
- SepSeptember: in season
- OctOctober: in season
- NovNovember: not in season
- DecDecember: not in season
The months 6 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the humpback whale season table.
9 listed operators
Canada · British Columbia & Richmond Steveston
Vancouver Whale Watch
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Apr–Oct
- Price
- Adults CAD 195
- Checked
- Official source
Canada · British Columbia & Vancouver Island
Ocean EcoVentures
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
Canada · British Columbia & Victoria
Prince of Whales — Victoria
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Nov
- Price
- From CAD 199 per adult
- Checked
- Official source
Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls
Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Sep
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source
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Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls
O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Sep (peak Jul)
- Price
- Adults CAD 95
- Checked
- Official source
Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & St John's
Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours — St. John’s
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Aug
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
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Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Trinity
Sea of Whales Adventures
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Ask the operator
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
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Canada · Quebec & Les Bergeronnes
Essipit Whale Watching Cruises
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Oct
- Price
- Adults CAD 90
- Checked
- Official source
Canada · Quebec & Tadoussac
Croisières AML — Tadoussac
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- Adults from CAD 134.99
- Checked
- Official source
Humpback whale season
Humpback whales in other countries
Other marine life in Canada
Activities in Canada
Frequently asked questions
Where can you see humpback whales in Canada?
9 operators name the humpback whale as a target species. Main regions: British Columbia & Richmond Steveston, British Columbia & Vancouver Island, British Columbia & Victoria, Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador & St John's and Newfoundland and Labrador & Trinity.
Do you have to get in the water to see humpback whales?
Formats on record: boat-based watching. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.
When is humpback whale season?
The 6 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in Canada cluster in May–Oct. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.
Will I definitely see them?
No. Humpback whales are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.