Five Star Whale Watching

Fantastic experience: A Truly Unforgettable Experience! I had the absolute pleasure of going on a whale-watching tour with 5 Star Whale Watching and it was beyond fantastic! From start to finish, the experience was exceptional. The crew was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about marine life. They made us feel welcome from the moment we boarded the boat, answering all our questions with enthusiasm and expertise. Our captain was outstanding—he had an almost intuitive sense of where the whales were and seemed to always know exactly when to change course and take us to a new location. We were fortunate enough to see both humpback whales and orcas—watching them both swim, hunt and feed was nothing short of magical. The captain’s decision to take us to see other wildlife when the whales moved on made the tour even more special. We were able to observe sea lions and seals lounging on the rocks or swimming nearby as well as a very rare sighting of a sea otter. What impressed me the most was the captain’s commitment to conservation. It was clear that he followed all the required guidelines to ensure we could enjoy the wildlife safely, without disturbing their natural behavior. It’s refreshing to see a company so dedicated to preserving the marine ecosystem while offering such an incredible experience for guests. Overall, 5 Star Whale Watching truly lives up to its name. The combination of a knowledgeable, friendly crew, a captain who knew exactly where to find the action, and the opportunity to witness such incredible wildlife made this an unforgettable adventure. I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking for a top-tier, responsible, and awe-inspiring whale-watching experience!

Fantastic experience: We joined a whale watching tour as part of our honeymoon in Victoria and couldn't recommend 5 Star Whale Watching enough. Not only did we see lots of humpbacks, sea lions and even have orcas go directly beneath our boat (they suddenly moved towards us as we were respecting our distance), what really stood out was how much the marine naturalists/biologists on board cared about the wildlife, and how much passion they had for sharing them in a genuine way. It was a day we'll remember forever.

Fantastic experience: I was not expecting to see a whole lot but just to enjoy the scenery and open water....holy heck. Absolutely the most excitement I've had in ages. Roaring to a triple pod of orcas further out than planned, learned amazing facts from Sophia the marine biologist, just a spectacular experience. In all we saw 13 orcas and 4... may have been more but all I actually saw humpbacks and numerous seals and sea lions. Was so much more than I expected. Thank you for tremendous service and a wonderful ride. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS GROUP. I saw larger flashier whale watching boats, but these folks were top notch on a perfect personalised pontoon boat, and I felt perfectly safe as well having to balance on a cane lol. Andy.H. Toronto Ontario

Fantastic experience: Excellent and reliable company, my family and I had a fantastic 3 hours. The captain was very polite, told us lots of interesting things about whales, seals and so on. Definitely recommend

Fantastic experience: The most amazing whale watching ever, there were a lot of whales to see and they were very active it was a fun and comfortable experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Fantastic experience: What an absolutely perfect tour. You know it's a good day out when the naturalists are flipping out happy about how many whales we saw. Humpbacks, including a mom and calf. A dozen Orcas including calves. The oldest male orca in the world. Seals all over. A perfect day with the right company.

Fantastic experience: Great and friendly crew. Very knowledgeable information and punctual departure. We were able to observe a group of orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions. There was enough distance maintained from the animals, although the orcas chose to swim close to the boat themselves. Thank you very much for the great tour!

Fantastic experience: Small family run business. Great tour! Very knowledgeable and friendly people. The boat at full capacity was very comfortable and not overcrowded making for a very enjoyable experience. It also didn't hurt that we had whales pop up beside the boat while sitting still. Would highly recommend this company if you are in Victoria.

Fantastic experience: Great trip! The boat was clean. The staff was knowledgeable. We saw whales and sea lions.

Fantastic experience: A fantastic time on the water. We saw orca, humpback and sea lions. The staff was really informative and made it fun. I'd recommend 5 Star!

Fantastic experience: We had an absolutely amazing time with Megan and Captain Gordon yesterday! We saw humpback whales, seals and a pod of Orkas! They answered all of our questions and made sure that everyone got a great view of the gorgeous wildlife.

Fantastic experience: I had an amazing experience! My booking had to be rescheduled to a different boat due to a mechanical issue, but I was notified a few days in advance and in the end I was actually glad for the smaller boat. I loved being out on the water! We saw orcas, a humpback whale and lots of sea lions. Any questions I had were answered in a knowledgeable manner. This trip truly made me happy!

Negative experience: LET DOWN: This business knew their boat was broken and dry docked 12 days before the tour we booked, but neither contacted our party to let us know, nor arranged an alternative tour for us. Unreliable and unprofessional!

Negative experience: Do not experience Vancouver Island with this fake company. Do not waist your time and money.

Negative experience: Only because there is no 0 star

Negative experience: This company is totally a SCAM!! Cancelled three times of my reservations. Only one time we were informed one day before, and the other two times, got informed less than an hour before the meet time! Avoid it if you can

Fantastic experience: Hello! We had to write a review of the amazing customer service we received from Andrew at Five Star. We are also a group that experienced a cancellation due to mechanical issues recently. It has to be said, that Andrew truly was distraught to tell us the news, and that he did everything within his power to host our group. From start to finish (we contacted months prior, and had booked directly with Andrew), we had amazing communication with him, and he refunded us promptly. He truly went above and beyond, and we are so grateful for his kindness and attentiveness. We believe these negative comments and 1 star reviews, reflect the misguided anger of the reviewer (likely at a third party booking agency) and are not fair to be directed at Andrew. We have nothing but amazing things to say about him and his care of us. We look forward to booking with Five Star in the future, as they have shown the values of honesty, and importantly, accountability. No business owner looks to deny services for unexpected occurrences if they had the choice, so while we understand the tragic disappointment and frustration cancellations bring, in no way is there malice from Five Star here Thank you for everything Andrew!

Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic tour this week on Five Star Whale Watching. The boat was small allowing a more intimate experience on the water - Sophie and Gord were outstanding, sharing their knowledge of the area and whales, while navigating through the waters (and the fog). Thanks again. We will be back!

Negative experience: On June 10, 2024, I booked a tour for July 3 for 4 people, paying a little more than 700 CAD for it. On the morning of the tour, I was informed by phone that the tour was canceled due to engine problems on the boat. I was offered to be paid back, and was said that "the manager is usually very speedy with reimbursements". As of today, August 11, I still have not received my money back, in spite of 2 phone calls and 1 email sent. When I called and asked to speak to the manager, I was told that he is unavailable, as he "works from home" !? I highly suggest that you do not choose this company.

Fantastic experience: One of the best (if not the best) experiences my wife and I had on our recent trip to Victoria. Every aspect, from the customer service, to the interactions with the Captain and First Mate were amazing. Would make the trip back just to bring others. Worth pointing out, bring a couple extra bucks to tip the crew. They deserve it.

Negative experience: Unprofessional and Unreliable - Avoid 5 Star Whale Watching I had an extremely disappointing experience with 5 Star Whale Watching company. We booked a tour, but it was canceled multiple times. The first time, they didn’t even bother to inform us, leaving us waiting and frustrated. The second and third cancellations were just as frustrating, with little to no professionalism in their communication. Instead of offering any sort of compensation for the repeated inconvenience, they suggested we cancel our booking and try another company. This is completely unacceptable behavior for a service that should be prioritizing customer satisfaction. I strongly recommend avoiding 5 Star Whale Watching if you’re looking for a reliable and professional experience. There are plenty of other companies that value their customers and provide a much better service. Second Update: I am truly shocked and saddened by your second response. At no point did I threaten or attempt to extort money from your company. After experiencing two cancellations, I simply mentioned in my email that I hoped for compensation due to the inconvenience and unprofessional behavior. What I meant was that I hoped for a gesture of goodwill or improved service to create a positive experience after the disruptions. My goal was never to seek monetary gain, but rather to encourage better service to make up for the cancellations. I am disappointed that you would make such false accusations instead of addressing the situation professionally. It is unfortunate that this has escalated to such a point when my intention was only to share an honest account of my experience. At this point, I will let the facts speak for themselves. I still believe that people are the best judges—let the public decide who was truly in the wrong. After all, actions speak louder than words, and the truth always finds its way to the surface! First Update: After posting my review, the company responded with several claims that I need to address: First Cancellation: The first cancellation occurred only after we had already arrived on time at their office. We were not informed in advance, which left us in a difficult position. Despite this, I made every effort to reschedule, and I was willing to be flexible with their team. Rescheduling Attempts: After the initial cancellation, I was keen on rescheduling, but I felt discouraged by their team, who suggested multiple times that I cancel and book with another company. Despite this, I persisted in rescheduling. I was assured that a different vessel would be arranged for the new date to prevent further issues. It’s surprising to read their claim that this was never the case. Allegations of Rudeness: I must strongly refute the claim that I was rude or threatening to their staff. I come from an academic background, where professionalism and respect are paramount. I was simply trying to express my concerns and ensure that our next booking would go smoothly. It’s upsetting to see these allegations, which do not reflect my actions or intentions. Customer Experience: As a paying customer, I expected a level of professionalism and customer care that, unfortunately, was not met. Instead of addressing the issues constructively, I feel that my concerns were dismissed, and now I am being unfairly portrayed in their response. I have attached my emails to support my claims. I trust that readers can make their own judgments based on this information. I guess the answers to these points would be enough for people to validate the other claims made in their response. My intention was never to cause harm but to share an honest account of my experience, so others can make informed decisions.

Fantastic experience: My 12 yo son and I had a truly awe inspiring time with Captain Gordon and naturalist Sophie. Apparently, several of the whale watching companies keep eachother apprised of recent sightings. It was nice to witness the cross-provier teamwork, esp in this day and age. LUCKILY FOR US, a pod of 5 orcas was right outside the harbor wall. Within 15 min of the tour starting, we saw orcas!!! We thought for sure that Captain Gordon would take this as "mission accomplished / guarantee fulfilled" and be lackadaisical about the rest of the trip to save on fuel (too cynical?) Instead, we headed out in search of more wildlife. The water was like rippled glass and with the mist you could hardly tell where the ocean ended and the sky began -- very surreally beautiful. We were enjoying (very loud!) sea lions at a distant lighthouse when all of a sudden Captain Gordon did a whiplashing 180 and sprinted over to another area -- apparently a humpback had been spotted! We got to see the humpback as well. It was a wonderful contrast to see how serious Captain Gordon was during our safety talk at the outset vs how playful he got in maneuvering the boat to the delighted squeals of the kids. Sophie gave great explanations re: the wildlife and emailed us photos that she took with her DSLR. All in all, could not have asked for a better day or crew. Two thumbs up!!!! Addition: definitely go for their smaller boat with the powerful twin engines -- Captain Gordon was able to position the boat for best viewing angles in a way that others could not AND we blew every other boat away in terms of speed which not only added to the fun but also maximized our range/time on the water.

Fantastic experience: A great trip out with a company which showed a deep respect of the whales maintaining a good distance from them. The crew were all super knowledgeable and keen to share with us. The only downside was the check-in. At booking we were told to check in 30 mins early then the day before we got an email to say check in was an hour early. This change really squeezed our time in Victoria and led to us rushing round. At check in we signed our waivers and were told to report back just down the road in 45 minutes. We were left wondering why we had to check in so early, 30 minutes prior seemed more than adequate.

Negative experience: The cancelled our tour less than 24 hours before we docked at Victoria, British Columbia, from our cruise. We were unable to book all 11 people of our party into another tour on such short notice. The one tour we booked as a family and the main reason why we did an Alaska cruise was ruined because of 5 Start Whale Watching. I would have expected for them to contact other tour companies and helped us book another tour even if our group was split but all they did was left a message and said, sorry, we will refund you your money, and we hope you are able to enjoy Victoria in other ways. Really??? Super unprofessional and honestly turned the day I have been looking forward to all year into a complete waste of time.

Fantastic experience: We had a great tour with the big boat. Suitable even for small children. Very friendly reception, great explanations of everything you see. And yes, we saw whales and not just a few. Several orcas and a humpback whale. Definitely choose 5 Star, they know what they're doing.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing service easy check in and great boat!!! Saw humps! Love it.

Fantastic experience: This was an amazing experience with Gord as our pilot and Rianna as our expert on whales and the waters we explored. They both had so much info to share, welcomed questions and were just fun to be with. Both clearly had an abundance of respect and love for the whales and their habitat; and Gord had many years of experience to share with his passengers. We saw many whales! and it was just a thrilling adventure to be out on the water. I was grateful for the big jacket/life jacket as the water sprayed us.

Fantastic experience: Memorable time full of memories, one of the best trips of my life

Fantastic experience: We went out on Saturday from the harbour at Victoria on Vancouver Island, it was the icing on the cake of our holiday, we saw three humpbacks, Pinnacle, Windsock and Sandstorm, to say I was excited was an understatement, absolutely brilliant.

Fantastic experience: Great trip with knowledgeable and friendly guides. They were respectful of the wildlife while giving us good opportunities to see orcas, a humpback, seals and sea birds.

Fantastic experience: Amazing place, got to see whales, sea lions, as well as some otters (not clearly visible) in the distance. Staff gave a good briefing of safety instructions as well as were good at briefing us on whales. It's definitely one to go for. We were able to sea the tail and a bit in distance, but that's because we booked the 3-4 hour one. One tip: carry ear muffs or headphones to help yourself go through all that noise of the boat's motor. All boats make noise.

Fantastic experience: Amazing trip with two whales and a big jump. Everything was fine.

Negative experience: We started late (the boat showed up late) and didn't see a whale before 2h. Actually, what we've seen what just a little of its back and a small tail. This happened just twice (a few seconds each). We didn't see anything more during our 3:30 hour tour. I was really disappointed. I would have preferred not to see anything and be refunded the 165$. I can understand we have to pay for the fuel oil consumption anyway and that it's an unpredictable tour, but I still think it was not worth it.

Fantastic experience: Our whale watching tour with 5StarWhales was simply great! The crew was in a good mood, made jokes, and provided interesting information about the animals. In perfect weather, we were lucky enough to see seals, sea eagles, orcas, and even humpback whales! I particularly liked that they were careful not to get too close to the animals to avoid disturbing them. It was an unforgettable experience!

Fantastic experience: I wish I could give more than 5 Stars, the Captain was great. We saw some wildlife and made some memories at the same time!

Fantastic experience: So good. Went on their small boat and saw so many orcas. Gordon and crew had the local knowledge. Thanks guys loved it

Positive experience: We had a successful 3 hour whale watching tour with sightings of both orca and humpbacks. Not sure if the average tour is able to see both species but we were happy to be able to see both. Boat was great and staff was knowledgable and friendly. Good to hear that the various companies on the water communicate with each other about whale sightings so that everybody can see some whales on any given day.

Fantastic experience: I have been on the afternoon whale watching tour today and had an amazing time! We saw a group of orcas (with a cute baby orca) and were able to watch them for a long time! We also saw some other animals like dolphins and seals. I had a great time ☺️

Fantastic experience: We had a magical moment with Five Star Whale Watching! On Monday morning, May 13, we took a trip with them and saw sea lions and a pod of orcas, one of which even passed under our boat! It was incredible. Thank you very much to the team who were great, very welcoming, and provided a lot of explanations.

Fantastic experience: We took our family of 6 on this amazing experience. The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable. We have 3 kids under the age of 11 and they all expressed the same sentiment - "this is the best trip ever!". From orcas to sea lions, we had a great time and we would highly recommend using Five Star Whale Watching if you are considering whale watching.

Fantastic experience: I had an amazing experience! We had a blast as a group in the front of the boat(the adventurous spot). The captain knew exactly how to be predictable to the orcas and hang back enough. That we got what he called the best pass of the season! Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: We had an amazing experience! Gordon was an awesome guide and we saw a beautiful pod of Orcas! Was everything we hoped for. Thanks guys!

Fantastic experience: It was an amazing watch. The captain made sure to get the audience the best experience. It was a first time thing for me, and it was hands down the best.

Fantastic experience: Great tour. I took the smaller boat which was really fun. They knew their stuff, were very willing to answer any questions, and provided a great experience.

Fantastic experience: I went on a tour in October 2023. The best experience ever! We saw so many humpback whales and orcas. We saw lots of seals as well. Great information shared on board. Lots of remove to move about and great views all together. I will definitely go on a tour again in the future!

Fantastic experience: The experience was great. We saw lots of whales but from afar. We also got to see seals and sea lions. The weather was okay but pretty cold when the boat was moving.

Fantastic experience: Amazing tour. Guide was extremely helpful as we went out to look for whales. Found four separate whales and one even came close to the ship. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely 5 star experience! amazing and value for money tour. From safety to enthusiasm and fun, none of it could have been better! than five star whale watching services. We loved every bit of the tour! Tour guides services and explanation was up to the mark. We got to see 10-15 whales! as well as lots of sea lions ! Highly recommended whale watching tour by five star whale watching company in victoria. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic experience: Stunning set up with totally ethical whale watching without disturbing the marine ecosystem. This is what differentiates Five Star from others offering similar services. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Fantastic experience: Great experience and the specialist biologist, very attentive and a great conversationalist!

Fantastic experience: Gordon was our guide and he was excellent! He shared a lot of knowledge, was entertaining and found us the perfect whale watching experience. Was a perfect day for our family! Thanks Gordon!

Fantastic experience: Just as the name says 5 stars, friendly courteous staff. A purpose built ship for the tour. Knowledgable guides, Catherine was really good. I also liked that they share their pictures from the trip and show other wildlife on the tour.

Fantastic experience: Friendly and uncomplicated organization. We were on the small boat and had the whale watching experience of our lives. Perfect weather, flat sea, great visibility. Gordon first found us a „whale of our own“ and thereafter we visited two playful humpbacks that played with other boats and then with our’s for almost an hour. The whales delivered a real show and seemed genuinely interested in the boats. The seal colony is also very impressive, visually, acoustically and „olfactory-ally“. I’d book fivestarwhales anytime again.

Fantastic experience: In regards to Anthony Dough’s review: My family and I were in the office after an amazing excursion with this company while Anthony and his family were in. In overhearing the conversation, the two kind staff members tried to explain to Anthony that because he had booked through a third-party company (Shore Excursions, I believe), they were given nothing more than a name and phone number to work with. The staff called the given number multiple times, but the call failed (likely due in part to the fact that Anthony’s family had been on a cruise which can often result in limited service). Anthony and his party failed to acknowledge that the attempt was in fact made, but because it was not a direct booking, they were provided with no other means of communication. This being said, my family and I had an incredible time on our excursion and, prior to, received more than sufficient communication with this company. The captain was great- very kind and humorous-, the staff was quite friendly and polite, and the Salish Shadow proved to be the perfect vessel for the trip, bringing us to multiple pods of humpbacks and orcas (note: this vessel has low sonar levels, and therefore is kinder to the animals. This fact in itself is part of how we were able to safely follow and view the creatures. As someone who is dedicated to sustainable eco-tourism, I was very pleased by this quality.) To anyone reading the reviews for this company, keep in consideration that some reviews do not tell the full story, and that the reviewers may not even be aware that the fault is their own, and not the companies. I implore you to book a trip with this company, but as a precaution, be sure to book with them directly. This will eliminate situations like that described by Anthony Dough.

Fantastic experience: We had an awesome trip out to look for whales! Jasper, the skipper, found us two and was excellent at keeping up with the second we found (eventually identified as Scuttle or Scutter, I think). We got to watch him breach, blow and dive 3 or 4 times. Aside from the necessary safety rules, our guide was full of tidbits about the local history, and, of course, whales. She also pointed out some sea lions, harbour seals, and one rare elephant seal on the ramp to the lighthouse. We had great weather, not too much wind and despite my hat, I got sunburned from the glare off the water (it's obviously been too long since I was on the water if I forgot about the glare!) My brother was unexpectedly able to get to Victoria in time, and the folks st 5 Star were able to get him on our trip with the rest of us Whelans in town for our family reunion and I very much appreciated that. I highly recommend them!

Fantastic experience: Had so much fun on the 3-hour expedition! We got pretty close to some humpback whales and saw lots of other wildlife like seals and bald eagles. Our guide/captain Jasper was very knowledgeable about the animals and got us some great views!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely incredible. My family and I booked a 3 hour trip on a sailor shadow and the experience was phenomenal. Within about 25-30 minutes we came across 2 pods of orcas hunting together, and 2 humpback whales as well. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and was able to find whales off of pure knowledge of the waters and eyesight. Near the end of the trip we followed a mother and baby humpback who were comfortable enough to come up almost 20 feet from the boat. I very highly recommend this company. Now, in regards to a negative review by Anthony Dough, my family and I were in the building when he was and heard almost the entire thing. From what we heard, Anthony and his family booked through a third party company therefore Five Star was only given a name and a phone number to work with. In Anthony’s review he says that the company “canceled on us with no warning” which is not true as the two women working at the front desk were trying to explain that they made multiple attempts to contact them which failed most likely due to the low service on the cruise that Anthony was on. Furthermore, every time the ladies at the front desk tried to explain what happened, Anthony spoke over them and ignored what they were saying. Not only did he blame the people working the front desk, but he also yelled at them saying that they were a horrible business and “need to do better”. So in conclusion, from reading the other negative reviews, most of them follow the same sort of story involving contact issues and cruise ships. So before you choose to base your choice on negative reviews, make sure you keep in mind that not everything is the fault of the company. Five Star whale watching absolutely deserves a spot on your to-do list for Victoria canada and they really put the 5 star in their name.

Negative experience: ​​Disappointing customer service. Our evening cruise was cancelled 27 hours in advance because of forecasted high winds. We were pleased when we were offered an afternoon cruise instead, because ​we recognize weather is out of ​anyone's control. However, 90 minutes before the re-scheduled afternoon cruise we were told there was a mechanical issue with the boat and there was nothing they could do. Despite having reservations for weeks​ (through a Travelzoo voucher), they couldn’t put us on an another ​t​our. We were left scrambling to find another cruise​ and only offered some phone numbers of other companies. When I asked at the office why they couldn’t help arrange another company for us, I was ​​abruptly told ‘that’s not how the industry does it’​. However, I saw other reviews of 5-star ​arranging other others on another tour company’s boat when they had a mechanical issue a week before. ​After a quickly scrambling, we went on a wonderful cruise with another company (SpringTide), and ​evening winds were not an issue (which is why we were initially moved). We received a full refund from TravelZoo.

Negative experience: Whale watching tour was canceled the evening before.

Positive experience: Our family of four were scheduled for morning whale watch. Happened by the office night before and decided to confirm. Girl in office said there was a mechanical problem but they’d let us know next morning. We checked at 9 am and were told they’d switched us to a different company. Took a tour on SpringTide (marauder) and had a great trip. Thought it was nice they made arrangements for their clients instead of just canceling everyone.

Negative experience: A tour where the main interest is the orcas and where during our tour the captain doesn't even go looking for them... well, it is totally disappointing and a waste of money.

Fantastic experience: We chose this agency for our whale watching and did not regret it. The organization worked perfectly and we saw whales as well. It was a lot of fun.

Negative experience: I had an incredibly frustrating experience with the whales watching company. After eagerly anticipating the trip, they canceled on us when we arrived at the scheduled time. There was no prior notification, and we had made all the arrangements for this outing. It was a huge disappointment, especially considering we had planned our day around this activity. The lack of communication and disregard for our time left us feeling let down and unvalued as customers. I would strongly advise against relying on this company for any future whale watching plans.I did put one star because I have to put at least one it’s more like no star whales watching

Fantastic experience: The trip was amazing! The staff were super friendly and made for a great experience. Well done Five Star Whale Watching!

Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic experience with Five Star Whale Watching. Lovely staff, comfortable journey, and we saw some amazing orcas and seals.

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience! Saw lots of whales, some very close, plus the staff were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, always putting the safety of the passengers and the whales first. Would definitely recommend.

Fantastic experience: The staff in the office was very friendly, helpful, and professional. The trip lasted 3 hours. Our boat guide Riana explained everything very well. It is really recommended to bring a camera, as the whales may be too far away for shots with a cell phone.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely 5 star experience! From safety to enthusiasm and fun, none of it could have been better! Jasper was a great captain and Cathrine was a wonderful and funny guide! We loved every bit of the tour! We got to see 10-15 whales!

Fantastic experience: Last week, my mother and I were vacationing in Victoria when the Groupon for Five Star Whale Watching popped up. We have no regrets at all redeeming it. Jim was the captain and naturalist who gave us our 3 hour tour. He was extremely knowledgeable and professional throughout the entire excursion! At one point, my mother got sick and, instead of being inconvenienced, Jim was so kind and helpful in making my mother feel better and not embarrassed. He cleaned up the mess and had a conversation with us about how to feel better, what to do after we got off the boat, etc. Thank you, Jim! We were scared that we wouldn’t get good seats for being the last people to board but we were wrong. You are allowed to explore the boat at anytime. Did we see whales? WE SURE DID! A momma humpback and her baby, along side a “mysterious 3rd male humpback whale.” We were able to get good shots of them on our phone. I even saw the mother and her calf under the water!!! It was such and incredible sight to see! We even got to see seals and a bunch of birds. Even seeing the beautiful houses and watching people wind surfing along the coast was a sight to see! I would totally recommend Five Star Whale Watching to anyone! Thank you so much for an unforgettable experience! The name of the company is perfect and I hope they never out of business!

Positive experience: We saw a lot of whales, it was a fantastic experience! However, the receptionist is super unfriendly, we couldn't feel any welcome at all. I was about cancel the tour. I can recommend the tour though.

Negative experience: Worst experience ever !!!! Just got late by 5 min and they still didn’t let us be on the boat and was very rude. Not even let us explain the situation!!! I recommend springtide whale watching !!

Fantastic experience: We took a 3 hour whale watch tour on the Salish Shadow with skipper Gordon. The boat is spacious, we were a total of 10 people on this trip; the boat caters to 12. We were lucky enough to see orcas for quite a while. We appreciated Gordon's knowledge and the fact that he was very responsible when it comes to staying the regulated distance from the animals and not crowding them even from a distance. While we didn't see any humpback whales, seeing orcas and some porpoise was fabulous. Thanks Gordon for making this a great trip!

Negative experience: Cancelled the booking at last minute with no reason and left us stranded

Fantastic experience: Brilliant day out with five star whale watching, we even got to see orcas! Our guides were really knowledgeable and made a big emphasis on not disturbing the animals which was really nice to see. We will be back!

Fantastic experience: I really enjoyed my trip with Five Star. The boat was comfortable and not too big or full, and the crew were wonderful – friendly and relaxed but incredibly knowledgeable. They kept me entertained and interested throughout the whole trip with their information and stories. We saw a group of orcas that surfaced a few times which was really exciting. Many thanks for a great trip!

Fantastic experience: The Captainn was very, very informativ about the whales. At last we got to se some Orcras.

Fantastic experience: I was on this tour in June 2023. We saw a total of 4 whales, as well as some birds and sea lions. It was truly impressive to see these amazing animals and watch them. The entire team on the ship was very nice and shared a lot about the whales and the surrounding area / islands in general. The start and end of the tour is right by the ship. So you are really 3 hours on the sea :) Important: The whales are about 200 meters away, as it is not allowed to go closer for legal reasons. The only exception is if they suddenly come close to the boat. Therefore, you should have a camera with you if you want good photos. :)

Fantastic experience: Excellent staff, we all had a great trip!

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful your on May 29. Everything was so organized, we received a reminder email as well as the waivers ahead of our tour, and the day of we received a notice that due to an unexpected absence, we were being moved to a bigger boat than usual. This was a seamless change and the boat was a great size for the group of about 30 people. Dress in layers like their website and emails advise, and keep in mind it will be colder on the sea! The crew was incredibly informative, friendly and kind. We saw a humpback whale, seals, a sea otter and a river otter! I would certainly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Victoria!

Fantastic experience: Great experience! Friendly, helpful, flexible staff. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: A Fantastic day at sea!! We travelled with a pod of about 4 orcas and encountered 4 humpbacks as well. It was a gorgeous day and an all around wonderful experience. We have gone on numerous whale watching trips from the Oregon Coast where we live that are led by a friend who is a marine biologist & these trips are always exceptional. Five Star did not disappoint us. They were professional, experienced, respectful of our whale friends and other wildlife. It was a great tour and we highly recommend them!

Fantastic experience: The people working for this company are really committed to their job. They were always friendly, provided lots of information, and even added one hour to our trip, because we had the chance of spotting another whale which required us to take a different and longer way home. Thus we saw 3 Orcas and 2 humpback whales. Awesome experience!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic Day on the water. Saw at least 2 pods of Orcas! Staff very knowledgeable and friendly. Def Recommend! Boat was a good size that made it more personal that some of the other operators out there.

Fantastic experience: We went with a very professional crew and gave us the best ocean wildlife experience we ever had! The guide was very informative and also asked us what we have seen until this point. The scenery is breathtaking and we witnessed otters and sea lions close by. From a distance we saw humpback whales.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic staff who buzzed around you with updates about sightings and info. All in all it was a really good experience. We saw whales, dolphins, seals and a sea otter. I can strongly recommend this company.

Fantastic experience: On August 31st we did a whale watching tour with the big boat of 5Star with my tour group. This is a very comfortable boat with both outside and interior space. The two guides and the captain went out of their way to spot marine life and give us as much information as possible. Among other things, we saw a humpback whale jump out of the water twice. It was a fantastic excursion.

Fantastic experience: Best time ever. The crew was amazing, informative and patient with my aunt that needed assistance to go in the boat and out.

Fantastic experience: The staff and experience was INCREDIBLE. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable and we saw beautiful humpback whales elephant seals, Ollie the otter,Harbour seals and sea lions. Highly recommend this tour

Fantastic experience: We went on a tour last night, great trip, the captain was very knowledgeable, the boat was fast and comfortable. We saw Orcas, sea lions, and lots of Seals, all topped of with a beautiful west coast sunset! Make sure to book a tour!

Fantastic experience: Alexa and Captain Emma were extremely communicative, welcoming and knowledgeable. We were able to see humpback whales, seals and sea lions, and great views of the coast. We greatly appreciated the whole experience!

Fantastic experience: It was an excellent experience! The staff was very lovely and knowledgeable, giving us plenty of facts about the marine life. We saw grey and killer whales as well as sea lions. The trip was safe and the boat ride was very fun! 100% recommending it.

Fantastic experience: We had an amazing time with 5 Star. The crew was awesome and we were on the whales in minutes after we left the harbor. Over a dozen humpbacks feeding, it was amazing. Sorry my photos weren’t so good I was busy watching.

Fantastic experience: There are so many tour companies and not sure which one but glad we selected Five Star. They made us feel they were sharing a treasure with us and extended the three hour trip an hour so we could see an Orca as they had essentially left the area and he was 40 km up coast. Also took the time to go by an island with tons of other wildlife for us to see although we were already so over time. Just nice people who love what they do.

Fantastic experience: Great tour. We saw 11 humpbacks on our tour. None did a big jump, because they were (selfishly) feeding. Staff were very friendly, helpful and informative. Lots of information provided about the whales and conservation efforts. The only thing I would say is that be careful with small kids on the front of the boat. It is very safe, however the fumes from the boats engines are quite strong. I had to get my daughter back inside a couple of times to avoid breathing in the plumes of smoke. Not much can be done to avoid it. Just something to note:) Would highly recommend to anyone that wants a good whale watching experience.

Fantastic experience: Shortly, we got seats on the small speedboat. We received safety jackets and after less than an hour, we saw two orcas and later a humpback whale. A moving moment. The tour is unforgettable!

Fantastic experience: Smooth boat ride, guide told so many facts and stories about marine life, and we saw Orcas and Humpbacks. Extremely wonderful excursion!

Fantastic experience: Seen 2 humpback whales! It was a fantastic tour, also loved our guide; not too much information, just enough!

Fantastic experience: Amazing trip.

Fantastic experience: The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. They would answer all your questions (from a receptionist to a naturalist) and make you feel at ease. The upper deck wasn't jumpy at all even We saw 3 whales, sea lions and seals and an otter. Our tour was suppose to end at 4 pm but our two captains saw a jumping out of a water whale and headed there. They spent extra 40 min with us just to show our group one more whale ( even though we've already seen 3 whales before that). We would definitely recommend them.

Negative experience: Our family had the misfortunate event whereby our cruise ship was delayed, and we could not make our evening whale watching tour. 5-star whale watching makes it clear that they do not refund within 24 hours of the tour. I although called as soon as the cruise advised of the delay in the morning and was advised by 5-star whale company that they understood and would receive a credit. Unfortunately, they called back at noon explaining that they could not refund, and I would have to seek reimbursement with the cruise line. I explained that since I did not book with the cruise line, they would not reimburse us. I called several times, asked to speak to the manager, and placed a dispute with the credit card company. After over a month I find that they charged the full amount without calling back or coming to an agreement considering the circumstance. To avoid a similar situation, I would recommend cruise passengers do not book with this company rather directly with cruise line.