Tofino is a village of about 1,650 residents on the west coast of vancouver island, in british columbia, canada, located at the western terminus of highway 4, on the tip of the esowista peninsula, at the southern edge of clayoquot sound. Tolles whale watching adventure tofino wildlife tours. Tofino kayaking paddle the ocean and islands up close. Whale watching in tofino can be done from march to september. Welcome the first gray whales of the season on vancouver island. In addition to their sheer size we are also awed by the graceful movements, epic migrations, and complex and lively social interactions of. We offer various morning, midday, and afternoon departures. Captain jeffrey warden jeff joined our team in 2018 after guiding tours in tofinos waters since 2016. If seeing whales in their natural habitat is something you have always wanted to do, then planning a trip to do so is easier than you might think. Tofino whale watching tours ocean outfitters, tofino bc. From the safety of our boats you can respectfully watch gray whales, humpbacks, biggs orca killer whales, black. About whale watching in tofino you cant leave vancouver island without visiting the west coast. A stop in downtown tofino reveals a quaint surfer town. Tofino whale watching inc discover tofino bc canada.
Ocean outfitters is the perfect place to set off on all of your tofino activities. Up and down the coast of british columbia, from victoria to port hardy on vancouver island, from vancouver to the bc gulf islands, and up to haida gwaii queen charlotte islands. It starts with a mind boggling 20,000 grey whales swimming past our shores in spring on their annual migration from birthing waters by the baja peninsula north to the bering strait by alaska. This is when the weather is warmest and whale sightings are highest. Ucluelet is rich in both land and marine wildlife, below is just a few of the many species that inhabit this region. Jamies whale watching and adventure tours in tofino bc. Its precisely that reason why i dont really think it matters too much when you want to visit, unless you have a specific goal in mind ie. The offerings of tofino whale watching operators are as diverse as the companies. Whether youre an enthusiastic new rider, a seasoned surfer or happy spectator, tofino is where you want to be for a surf culture that is so relaxed, wet suits and rubber. During your trip to vancouver island, it is well worth taking in one of the many tours available along the coast of vancouver island and keeping your full attention on the water.
Add to calendar whale watching in tofino 03172018 08. Choose to go whale watching in an open style zodiac boat or enclosed boat. Theres simply nothing better than a whale watching tour in bc with orca spirit, some prefer viewing beneath the summer sun, while others prefer cooler spring and fall viewings. The tofino whale watching season begins in march with the pacific rim whale festival and lasts into autumn with peak sightings in spring during the gray whale northward migration and throughout the summer months culminating in. It starts with a mind boggling 20,000 gray whales swimming past our shores in spring on their annual migration from birthing waters by the baja peninsula north to the bering strait by alaska. Whalewatching tragedy in tofino, british columbia ari sarsalari reports on the tragedy that happened while whalewatching tofino, british columbia. Hidden in an ancient landscape on the west coast of british columbia is the village of tofino. Tofino surfing surfing waves for beginners and experts. A 53 ft cabin cruiser the longest cruise and most luxurious boat. From pacific rim national park to cox bay, experience some of canadas most beautiful beaches and wild, rugged coastlines. Nearly yearround, visitors can take to the seas for their chance to spot the largest mammal on earth in its natural habitat. Lean into the wind at chesterman beach, watch the waves at cox bay outside or from the warmth of an inside venue, and more. During the months of march and april, more than 20,000 gray whales swim north from their breeding grounds in baja california to their feeding grounds in alaska. In march the people of tofino and ucluelet celebrate the arrival of the first gray whales.
Whale watching tofino and ucluelet bc humpback, grays. We offer tofino whale watching tours, bear watching tours, bird watching tours and hot springs cove tours on both open boston whaler and covered. Whale watching in tofino, vancouver island, bc remote passages more videos, photos and information about bc from. Whales and bears a trip to the broken group islands part of pacific rim national park, with a focus on bear and whale watching. Jeff is a real adventurer with a great personality and a huge love for the ocean and wildlife when you are on a tour with jeff and you listen to how he talks about the animals, with passion and in his deep and calm voice, you just dont want to stop listening. From paddling into waves on a surfboard to soaking in ancient hot springs, from catching a 40pound salmon to watching whales. Whale watching in tofino, bc, is relaxing, captivating and exhilating all at. People from all parts of the world come here to watch these magnificent creatures of the deep. The whale centre tofino all you need to know before. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save.
Kayak clayoquot sound, meares island, broken islands. Welcome aboard the whale watch plus program remote passages brings many years of experience and a responsible approach to whale watching in tofino on the west coast. Winter in our temperate coastal rainforest means dramatic skies, rain, wind, big surf plus bursts of sunshine. From exciting fast zodiac visits to the whales to more leisurely cruises on large comfortable vessels, also in combination to a visit to the hot springs. No visit to tofino is complete without a trip on a whalewatching tour. Enjoy miles of spectacular scenery aboard our luxury covered boats, or for a real thrill jump aboard one of our zodiacs and experience the wildside. Ultimate adventure tofino whale watching tour boat with tofino. Launching from tofino takes you into clayoquot sound. Typical tofino whale watching tours take 2 to 3 hrs. Seasons and beaches as canadas surf capital, tofino is renowned for its yearround surfappeal, miles of sandy surfable beaches and worldclass waves. Whale watching in tofino international education viu. Whale watching off tofino, ucluelet, and vancouver island.
The whale centre has over thirty years experience in sharing tofino and clayoqout sounds ecosystems with guests from all over the world. Situated on the traditional territory of the tlaoquiaht first nation, were surrounded by the vast, breathtaking expanse of the unesco clayoquot sound biosphere regiona region cherished for its profound biodiversity and environmental culture. Remote passages whale watching tours from tofino, bc, vancouver island, canada. There is no seagoing experience quite like watching, closeup, a sleek whale weighing thousands of pounds frolic like a child in its natural habitat. A popular destination for visitors in the summer, tofinos population swells to many times its winter size. The whale centre invites you to join us for an exciting sea adventure in pristine coastal ecosystems. Tofino weddings go all the way in tofino and get married. Get the monthly weather forecast for tofino, british columbia, canada, including daily highlow, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. We are proud leaders in responsible whale watching, bear watching and wildlife viewing and have a strong passion for educating guests about the wonders and the fragility of clayoquot sound and tofino. On october 25, 2015, the whale watching boat leviathan ii capsized in the vicinity of plover reef off the coast of vargas island near tofino, british columbia, canada. Step into british columbias ancient and luscious pacific rim park and explore all things adventurous, delicious and relaxing at our handsome, fullservice waterfront hotel accommodation in tofino. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in bc.
Hot springs kayaking meares island custom tours cultural canoe tours. Book your adventure tour online with jamies whaling. Tofino, british columbia, canada monthly weather accuweather. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in tofino, canada on tripadvisor. Please check under book now for specific daily departure times on our covered and zodiac boats. Whale tours leave from the harbour downtown tofino bc.
Some of these massive mammals stay in our waters for the summer, giving ample opportunities for viewing. The 15 best things to do in tofino coronavirus update. Both places can have good whale watching depending on the time of year. Experience the west coast on a 3 hour whale watching tour through the islands around the tofino area. See whales and other marine wildlife on a whalewatching tour in vancouver. Read on to find the best time to go, what to expect, the kinds of whales on the west coast of vancouver island and plenty of other tips to picking a whale watching company. I also want to say that the pacific ocean is freezing, so tofinos not a beach destination if youre into sunbathing and swimming. Whale watching in ucluelet, whale watching at subtidal. Tofino and ucluelet are the two favourite northern gray whale watching communities on the west coast of vancouver island. Whale watching tofino and ucluelet west coast motel.
Most of the species below you will see when visiting the pacific rim how ever carnivores such as cougars and wolves are very rarely seen. The best time of year to go whale watching in tofino. Whale watching around vancouver island in british columbia is an exceptional experience that will leave you awestruck after watching whales that weigh thousands of pounds frolic in their natural habitat. Tofino has a long whale watching season, running from march sometimes late february through october. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel.
Encounters may include gray whales, humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, eagles, sea otters, harbour porpoise, puffins and many varieties of marine birds and much more. Expresso coffee and goodies served from our waterfront deck. Whale watching tours in tofino, bc they dive, spout, breach, spyhop and lobtail. Our season starts with the longest migration of any mammal, the gray whale. Our whale watching season usually starts in mid february and lasts until the end of october. Whale watching is one of the top things to do in tofino, b.
Let our seasoned guides show you to clayoquot sounds resident whales, sea otters and other marine wildlife. Tofino whale watching tours the whale centre, tofino, bc. Guided whale watching in tofino is possible from february to november. Celebrating over 33 years of operation on the west coast of vancouver island, the whale centre continues to venture out into clayoquot sound, off the coast of tofino, bc, taking passengers on whale watching tours, bear watching tours, hot springs cove tours, bird watching tours, pelagic. May, june, september and october are great months to go whale watching in tofino.
Tofino whale watching remote passages, tofino, british. Whale watching in tofino, vancouver island, bc remote. We offer a halfday whale watching program that travels to gray whale feeding areas near tofino, and a combination package which includes the thermal pools at hot springs cove our excursions take you through the pristine. Tofinos kayaking centre providing daily sea kayaking tours and kayak rentals since 1988. Over the winter they breed and calve in warm mexican waters then, midfebruary to april moms and calves till june, migrate close by our shore on. Tofino has a long whale watching season, running from march through to late november. For more information about the festival, please contact. The tofino whale watching season begins in march with the pacific rim whale festival and lasts into autumn with peak sightings in spring during the gray whale northward migration and throughout the summer months culminating in their southbound return in early september. We report on weekly sightings of gray whales, killer whales and humpback whales sighted on our whale watching tours on vancouver. Clayoquot wild homepage for whale watching and first. The tsbs recommendations included 1 better precautions from tour boat operators to identify and. The whale centre, tofino, bc tofino whale watching, bear.
Some even come in the winter months for an uncrowded adventure. Tofino whale watching of all the sights and experiences nature offers, few are more thrilling than a close encounter with the largest animals on the planet. The chatter on the local radio channel is about to pick up as whale watching boats start heading out from the docks in tofino for another season. Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals. The whaleplanner march a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Pick up books and supplies for the west coast lifestyle.