Every March and April, Tofino experiences the greatest whale migration on the planet, as 17 thousand Grey Whales pass en route from their winter home on Mexico's Baja Peninsula - a journey of 22,530km/14,000mi - to the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea. It's the longest migration of any creature in the world. The Greys can be 18m/66ft long, and as buoyant as butterflies - a cirque to kick-start the sense of wonder.
Whale Watching – Not Hunting
Our species comes to gawk and experience wonder. The days are gone when whales were slaughtered to the edge of extinction and turned into shoe polish, corset frames and whale steaks.
Pacific Rim Whale Festival
The season of the whale comes to a head at the Pacific Rim Whale Festival every March. A full week of activities include a parade, ArtSplash, the annual spring art show at the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre; showings from painters, stoneworkers, weavers and carvers at the Wickaninnish Inn; the Blessing of the Boats; explorations of whale lore and science; musical performances; gumboot dancing; rainforest walks in Pacific Rim National Park; and talks on pertinent subjects such as the importance of whaling in Aboriginal culture.
Greys, Humpbacks & Resident Orcas
Although March and April are the Grey Whale months in Tofino, whale watching is available most of the year because of lingering pods of Greys, growing numbers of Humpback whales and Resident Orca whales. Further out are the great Blue Whales, Sperm Whales and Fin Whales, but they're elusive and no tours exist at the moment.
Whale Watching Outfitters
Whale watching has never been more accessible. Choose between inflatable zodiacs and 19.5m/65ft cruisers. Operators such as Jamie's Whaling Station offer guaranteed sightings or money back. Jamie's even provides free kennels for ocean-roving pooches. And no charge for spotting sea lions, seals, bears, bald eagles and hundreds of species of sea birds. Other leading Tofino outfits include Remote Passages Marine Excursions, Ocean Outfitters and West Coast Aquatic Safaris.