The World’s 9 Best Wildlife Boat Trips

1.Trollfjorden Wildlife RIB Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 355 reviews · 2 hours · from $125Our pick

Leave central Svolvaer with a Norwegian or English-speaking guide and follow Øyhellsundet toward steep-sided Trollfjord. The 2-hour RIB ride includes flotation suits and wildlife stops for close views of white-tailed eagles, with Skrova, beaches, and historic coastal sites along the way.

“Great and cold experience!!They provided us a warm uniform, goggles and gloves to be put on your personal ones. It was a very good experience out there! Big waves and a snow storm made it more unique and fun. Of course we got a bit wet but the scenario is breathtaking and you get to see many eagles. The duration is enough, I was exhausted and cold at the end. I suggest warmer stickers for feet and to cover very well all your face.”

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2.Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 4-Hour Tour from Campbell River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $180Top rated

Set out from Campbell River on a four-hour Zodiac trip capped at 12 people. Your route may pass Cape Mudge Lighthouse, with chances to see whales, grizzly bears, sea lions, and other wildlife. A floater suit and light snack are included, and guide Zoe is noted for keeping a respectful distance from whales.

“Das Erleben der Wale in ihrer natürlichen Umgebung war sehr beeindruckend! Ebenso die Fahrt durch die Insellandschaft!”

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3.Campbell River: 4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Zodiac Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 133 reviews · 4 hours · from $216

Set out from Campbell River with a naturalist guide such as Gibson, Nova, or Andreus to search for whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and bears. The four-hour Zodiac ride includes a hydrophone, snacks, survival gear, scenic Discovery Passage, and a fast run through Devils Hole and Aaron Rapids.

“Our trip was excellent, we saw such a wide variety of whales and wildlife and Nova, our guide, really knew her stuff and was very helpful and informative. It was a trip that we will all remember for a very long time.”

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4.Dingle Boat Tours Wildlife RIB Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Join Dingle Boat Tours for a 2.5-hour small-group RIB ride around the Blasket Islands. Captain Declan and the crew take up to 12 people past sea caves, coves, cliffs, seals, dolphins, whales, and seasonal puffins. Expect speed, spray, rough water, and changing wildlife.

“The tour took us to see sea life and the rugged coast of Ireland!! The Blasket Island had a swarm of seals with puffins along the coast.”

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5.1 Hour Iceland Nature and Wildlife RIB Small Group Guided Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $160

Join Puffin Adventures in Bakkagerði for a one-hour RIB safari along East Iceland’s coast. Expect puffins, seabirds, seals, cliffs, and possibly whales, with warm gear supplied and a maximum of 12 people. The local brother guides add wildlife knowledge, humor, and personal stories about Borgarfjörður eystri.

“This Puffin Zodiac Tour was AMAZING! Our guides were extremely kinda, funny, and knowledgeable about Bakkageri and the Borgarfjörður eystri area (their parents grew up there!) After taking an exciting zodiac ride to the cliffs on the sea to view many species of nesting birds, we took a ride along the harbor to see seals and a waterfall. We even had BONUS whale watching time to view a large humpback whale breaching MULTIPLE times!! We got up close and personal and it was incredible. This tour is a must.”

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6.Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 6-Hour Tour from Campbell River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $251

You’ll leave Campbell River at 9:00 a.m. in a small Zodiac capped at 12 people, with an open view of the water and a warm floater suit provided. Guide and captain Becca, also called Bex, may lead you to whales, porpoises, tide pools, fishing eagles, and possibly Cape Mudge Lighthouse.

“Our tour guide/boat captain, Becca. was very knowledgeable & interested that her passengers had a great experience We saw whales, porpoises, tide pools & had a magical experience with hundreds (?) of eagles fishing.”

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7.From Faro: Wildlife and Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 41 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $58Best value

Join a skipper and marine guide for a 2.5-hour speedboat ride from Faro through Ria Formosa to Cape Santa Maria and the Atlantic. Morning departures offer the best dolphin sightings. Groups are limited to 15, with guides speaking English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

“Lorsqu'on a pu voir un groupe d'adultes accompagner un bébé dauphin j'ai été très émue, c'était vraiment une expérience exceptionnelle et inoubliable. On aurait dit que les dauphins se donnaient en spectacle en nageant ensemble de façon synchronisée et en sautant hors de l'eau à la verticale ou à l'horizontale. Vraiment je recommande cette activité à tous les amoureux de la faune.”

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8.Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 7-8-Hour Tour from Campbell River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $299

Set out from Campbell River at 9:30 am in a Zodiac carrying no more than 12 people. Guides such as Zoe, Bex, Jarek, and Brad have taken guests across wide stretches of coastal water in search of orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, bears, eagles, seals, and sea lions. Lunch, hot drinks, survival suits, and cold-weather gear are included.

“What a great trip- our guide was amazing and the views of the wildlife really good. We saw orca, humpback whales, mink, bald eagles and sea lions. The provided lunch was also amazing- with chicken Caesar wrap, homemade granola bars and cookies snd dried fruit. Best lunch I have had whilst in Canada. Thank you for such a great day!”

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9.Lunenburg: Zodiac Wildlife Tour with Naturalist Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $101

Join Jason, Deb, and the Expedition Nova Scotia team for a two-hour Zodiac ride along Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast. From the wharf 10 minutes outside Lunenburg, you’ll look for seals, osprey, eagles, herons, mink, and deer while learning about local geology, plants, and wildlife.

“Jason and Deb were awesome! The tour was great and very informative! I would definitely recommend this tour!”

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