9 Wildlife Boat Trips Worth Flying For

1.From Svolvaer: Trollfjorden Wildlife RIB Cruise

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

Leave central Svolvaer with a Norwegian or English-speaking guide and race by RIB through Øyhellsundet toward steep-sided Trollfjorden. You may see white-tailed eagles, seals, seabirds, and, on rare lucky outings, orcas. Warm flotation suits, gloves, goggles, and wellies are supplied, but bring extra layers for wet weather.

“It was truly an adventure of intimate contact with nature! The provided clothing, gloves, and goggles were very windproof and kept us warm. The captain stopped at many spots and threw out dried fish, allowing us to see the eagles soaring up close and clearly! Thank you to him. It was not just a bird-watching trip, but also an opportunity to converse with nature. The fjords and snow-capped mountains were all in view! If you come to the Lofoten Islands, you must try this activity, as it will help you appreciate the charm of this beautiful land—wild, free, and full of life.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Set out from Campbell River with a guide such as Zoe for about four hours on a Zodiac boat capped at 12 people. Watch for whales, grizzly bears, sea lions, and other wildlife while crossing coastal waters. A floater suit and light snack are included, with morning and afternoon departures.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Set out from Coast Marina with an English-speaking naturalist or biologist, such as local guide Gibson, to search for whales and other wildlife in the Discovery Passage. You’ll use a hydrophone, receive survival gear and snacks, and finish with a fast ride through Devils Hole and Aaron Rapids. The tour costs $216 per person and suits children five and older.

“we saw two sets of whales, it was a beautiful day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Dingle Boat Tours Wildlife RIB Adventure

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

Set out from Dingle Marina on an 11.5-meter RIB for a 2.5-hour wildlife trip around the Blasket Islands. Your English-speaking guide may point out seals, dolphins, whales, puffins, and coastal scenery. Captains such as Declan add local facts and humor, but expect spray, rough water, and weather-related changes.

“What an amazing experience!! We saw dolphin, seals, sheep, deer, whales, and puffin. The scenery was unbelievable. Our captain was very informative and went out of his way to ensure we had a great day. Would definitely recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.1 Hour Iceland Nature and Wildlife RIB Small Group Guided Safari

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

From Hafnarhólmi in Bakkagerði, you’ll join a small English-speaking group of up to 12 for a one-hour RIB ride along the coast. Local brothers guide you past puffin cliffs, seabird colonies, seals, a waterfall, and possibly whales. Warm gear is provided, but you must make your own way to the harbor.

“Very friendly tour guides who know the wildlife well. They’re like a comedy duo. Very warm gear provided. My elderly parents were able to get onto the boat and tolerated an hour boat ride.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Join Campbell River Whale Watching & Adventure Tours at 9:00 am for a six-hour Zodiac trip with up to 12 people. Your guide and captain may be Becca, also called Bex, who has led a memorable wildlife outing featuring whales, porpoises, tide pools, and huge groups of fishing eagles. Lunch, hot drinks, and a floater suit are included.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Wildlife and Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour

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

Join a 15-person speedboat tour from Faro with an English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. Cruise through Ria Formosa to Cape Santa Maria and the Atlantic, where dolphins often feed in the morning. Guides such as Adolfo may also point out birds, turtles, sharks, whales, and changing tidal views.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Set out from Campbell River at 9:30 a.m. for a full day on the water in a Zodiac carrying no more than 12 people. Your guide may range widely in search of orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, sea lions, bears, and eagles. Survival suits, cold-weather gear, lunch, and hot drinks are included, and the route may pass Cape Mudge Lighthouse.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Lunenburg: Zodiac Wildlife Tour with Naturalist Guide

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

Join Jason, Deb, and the Expedition Nova Scotia team for a two-hour Zodiac trip along the Atlantic coast, just 10 minutes from Lunenburg. Expect a fast, open-water ride, wildlife sightings, coastal geology, and close looks at seals, seabirds, and rocky islands. Bring a camera, sunscreen, and binoculars.

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

Check availability →Read our full review