the boat
Choosing a boat: covered catamaran, large zodiac or open-air catamaran
What separates the three tours on this page, from the start point to the guarantee.
Reserve your whale tour ↗Three boats compared
| Boat | Starts from | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Covered catamaran | Granville Island | Heated cabin, viewing decks, photo package and hot drinks included |
| Large zodiac | Richmond | Naturalist guide, bottled water and a granola bar, windbreaker jackets provided |
| Open-air catamaran (Eagle Eyes) | Granville Island | 360-degree view and a free walk around the deck, with no enclosed cabin |
The covered catamaran
The tour in the hero is a custom-built, covered catamaran from Granville Island. It suits people who want shelter and a heated cabin, and a photo package that arrives with the ticket. It has the most reviews of the three, with an average of 4.8 from over three thousand verified guests.
The large zodiac
The Richmond tour runs on a large zodiac with a naturalist guide, and starts at an office in Richmond with check-in an hour before departure. A paid round-trip shuttle from locations near downtown Vancouver hotels is available, and you reserve it by calling the operator's office when you book. Windbreaker jackets are provided.
The open-air catamaran
Eagle Eyes is an open-air twin-hull catamaran with a 360-degree view and no enclosed cabins. You can walk around the deck while the boat is moving, and there are washrooms and individual seating. It leaves from Granville Island, and you arrive 45 minutes before departure.
How to choose
If shelter and a heated cabin matter most, the covered boat is the comfortable pick. If photography and an unobstructed view are the point, choose the open-air catamaran. If you are based near Richmond or want a flexible booking, the zodiac tour is worth a look.
Comparing the guarantees
All three tours carry a sightings guarantee, but the wording differs. The covered catamaran lets you join another tour if you see no whales the first time. The Richmond tour offers a free return that does not expire and cannot be transferred. The open-air tour lists a whale sightings guarantee, so check the booking page for its exact terms.
Cancelling and paying
Each tour shows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The Richmond and open-air tours also let you reserve now and pay later, which suits anyone still waiting on a date. The covered catamaran tour does not show that option.