whale watching from vancouver?

Yes, for Vancouver whale watch companies, I would prebook. Ideally one week in advance, although you can sometimes get away with booking a few days in advance. Vancouver only has a few companies and seats on the boats are limited. They are often sold out the day of departure so I would not simply show up if you wanted to guarantee yourselves a spot.

If you're planning a side trip to Victoria, go whale watching from Victoria. There are about 10 different companies. There is more than enough space to accomodate any number of people so you don't need to be concerned with booking in advance. Victoria whale watching companies love last minute walk-ins. But be sure you do your research in advance to know at what times they depart. You wouldn't want to miss the last boat of the day!