Campbell River Whale Watching: Full Day Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound Tour

Embark on a full day adventure in the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound, home to migratory Humpback Whales, Transient Orca, Steller sea lions, and more!

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 1348 Island Hwy - Once aboard our large 12 passenger zodiacs, you will be in for a full day immersion in an extraordinary setting as we adventure up Coastal Mountain Fjords, through tidal rapids and island archipelagos in search of the great whales of the Pacific Northwest!
    These adventures give us the opportunity to really explore the waterways…
What's Included
  • Lunch included
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Assorted snacks provided
  • Tea and coffee available
Additional Information

Join us for a full day adventure in the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound in one of the richest marine environments on the planet!
Shortly after departing, we will travel through prime feeding grounds of migratory Humpback Whales. Encounters are likely and plentiful. These giants can weigh over 60 tons!
Clans of Transient Orca are constantly on the…

Location
730 Quathiaski Cove Rd
Quathiaski Cove Road
Meet our vessel at the loading dock at the Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal on Quadra Island at Coveside Fish and Chips at the marina. Marina parking is $4 for the day.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(48 Ratings)
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Shanemp9542ci
Oct 2, 2024
A wonderful full day of whale watching. Just do it. - My wife and I booked the Full Day Whale Watching tour before we arrived on Vancouver Island for our honeymoon. We were slightly apprehensive about being on a Zodiac boat for 7/8 hours but went ahead anyway and we did not regret it. The day started meeting our naturalist Reuben at the harbour and getting into our survival suits. After the safety instructions and a brief itinerary we set out on our tour. Within 20 minutes we encountered two humpback whales and spent some time with them before we left them in peace and continued on our way. A short while later we came across a pod of orca’s and again we stayed a respectful distance but having already done whale watching tours on covered boats, the zodiac definitely feels more intimate. During all encounters Reuben shared his deep knowledge of the wildlife and you could feel his passion and respect for each animal we encountered. We moved on and came across some sea lions who we spent some time with and then we had a comfort break at Browns Bay. Another consideration when booking was toilet breaks and being on a Zodiac all day. This wasn’t an issue and Reuben offered frequent comfort breaks throughout the day. We then headed to the North of Quadra Island and took in more of the wonderful landscapes and scenery and stopped for lunch on land which was fresh and more than enough to refuel, Reuben made a fire and we spent some time chatting, before we headed back out. We continued our trip and came across more seals and sea lions and came to the some rapids which Reuben navigated with ease. We spent some more time taking in the scenery and landscapes and even came across some First Nations artwork. We then headed south and spent some more time near an Island with a large population of Cormorants and seals and sea lions. As our trip was coming to and end and we were heading back to Campbell River, we made a slight detour and came across a group of around 6/8 humpbacks. This group seemed more playful and we enjoyed spending time with them with excellent opportunities for pictures and seeing more personality of these wonderful animals. The star of the show a baby humpback who even treated the group to a breach. We may have missed this had Reuben just headed for home because our time was coming to an end. Overall, the full day whale watching tour was an excellent experience, comfortable, intimate and worth every penny. We felt safe and in good hands with Reuben and Wild Waterways and I could not recommend them highly enough. If we’re ever back on Vancouver Island these will be our go to provider for wildlife encounters.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geoff_d
Sep 29, 2024
Awesome day - Apart from an admin glitch which meant we missed the boat (the wrong pick up point at the harbour was listed, and my phone didn't work!), the company sent another boat and we managed to board the tour zodiac and off we went! Jen was outstanding in her knowledge, enthusiasm and skill getting us sightings of Orcas, humpback and the amazing sights of sea lions hunting salmon in some tidal rapids. Everything about the day was utterly incredible - thank you 😁
Review provided by Viator
Lightpacker585685
Sep 24, 2024
Amazing Nature, Knowledgable and Kind Guide - How lucky we were that there were a number of Humpback whales feeding in the area. It was a treat to see mothers and calves, whales diving deep with the flukes slowing descending, moving along the rocky coastline to feed, rolling to show their massive pectoral fins, and more. Seeing the Stellar sea lions feast on salmon in the tidal rapids was extraordinary. Jen's knowledge about the animals and skills in handling the zodiac enriched the experience. As we live here, we particularly appreciated her respect for nature and local sourcing for the delicious lunch. We plan to return with future visitors - no matter what wildlife is around, the experience deepens appreciation for it and the beauty of this area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel819261
Sep 22, 2024
Great adventure day - We took the Tree of Life adventure for the day. After enjoying and exploring the area in the zodiac boat, we went on the" Tree of Life" Hike. This was an interpretive hike in the most magical forest. We learned a lot about the ecosystem in this beautiful area. The guide Jenefer is verry passionate and knowledgeable about all forest related, whether the animals we may find there, medicinal plants, herbs, fungi and of course about this beautiful old growth forest. Wonderful way to visit and learn about the area. I would recommend this hike, this whole trip to anyone and i would take it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K7407igelizabeths
Sep 10, 2024
Trip of a lifetime - Reuben is amazing! You can tell he loves the animals. Comfortable ride and amazing views. Lunch was delicious. Don’t pass this opportunity up!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F2505pjmariac
Sep 5, 2024
A Memorable Family Adventure - We went on a private, full-day tour with two families, including four children aged 10 to 12. The experience was exceptional! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights about the local wildlife and ocean. She was engaging, making the tour enjoyable for both adults and kids. The children were captivated by the experience, and we now cherish unforgettable memories with sea lions, diving sea eagles, jumping humpback whales, orcas, and salmon. I can only recommend to book a tour with them. We will not doubt it for our next time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Helensm6580ll
Sep 4, 2024
Another amazing trip with Reuben - We have been out with Wild Waterways multiple times, but this time we were taking a friend on their first trip. Reuben is an exemplary guide. He grew up fishing in this area, so he has extensive knowledge of the geography, and the wildlife and their habits. In addition, he radiates joy in the environment, and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing it with his passengers. We always see wonderful things and go to exciting new places with Reuben. This trip was no exception. Lots of Humpbacks, two groups of orca, sea lions and seals, gorgeous scenery, and a lovely lunch at Refuge Cove - a new destination for me. 8 hours totally flies by! Please remember to bring a few dollars to tip you guide - Jen or Reuben - because you will *definitely* want to show your appreciation at the end of your adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vickytq3362cx
Sep 3, 2024
Amazing day on the water! - We had an incredible experience with Wild Waterways Adventures yesterday, thanks to our fantastic captain, Reuben! His expertise and deep knowledge made the trip truly memorable. We were thrilled to see humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, harbor seals and many more, and Reuben shared fascinating insights about the area's wildlife and ecosystem. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to observe and learn about the diverse animals around the island. I highly recommend Wild Waterways Adventures for anyone looking for an unforgettable wildlife tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
664nicolaw
Aug 27, 2024
Fantastic experience. - We booked a full days whale watching and had the most fantastic day. We went out with Sienna who was really knowledgeable and could recognise many of the whales. The boat was brilliant and we covered 160km on a really comfortable open top James Bond style fast boat. We saw so many hump back whales and Killer whales but also a sea otter and seals. We were surprised that lunch was included, which was delicious. There was only 6 of us on the boat which was brilliant. This company is highly professional and you’ll certainly have an amazing day out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ginny
Aug 24, 2024
When the whales some to see YOU! - Jen and Ruben run a fantastic operation! They are professional, knowledgeable, fun, and extremely conscientious! I’ve taken multiple trips with them and every one has been fantastic! I’d give 10 stars if I could!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 11 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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