The West Coast of Vancouver Island is prime whale-watching territory and Tofino is home to several tour operators who offer a variety of trips.
Tofino lies along the route of the annual grey whale migration. Each year up to 20,000 grey whales leave the waters of the Baja Peninsula and head north to the nutrient-rich feeding grounds of Alaska and the Bering Sea. This 20,000-km (12,000 mi) round trip is thought to be the longest migration of any creature in the world.
The Tofino whale-watching season typically runs from March through October. Whale-watching trips can often be combined with wildlife viewing and hot springs tours; bear watching trips by boat in the calm waters of Clayoquot Sound near Tofino is another popular option.
Pacific Rim Whale Festival
March signals the start of the annual grey whale migration and Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve celebrate the event with the nine-day Pacific Rim Whale Festival.
The festival features nearly 100 events spread out between Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. These fun and educational events celebrate West Coast lifestyle and will give visitors a deeper understanding of whales, west coast ecosystems and the interaction between people and their environment.
The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is perfect for families, children and people of all ages. Events include cultural, educational, musical, artistic and culinary activities.
For more information on the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, visit their website.
Whale Watching Tours
Whale watching trips generally last 2-3 hours. Longer tours (5-7 hours) are also available; these trips usually combine whale watching with a visit to Hot Springs Cove for a trip (and a dip!) to these popular hot springs. It is recommended to book your trip in advance (though last-minute tickets can usually be found); vessels depart from various docks along the Tofino waterfront.
Whale watching boats range from open-air, zodiac-style vessels to larger cabin cruisers. The larger boats feature more amenities and offer heated cabins, covered seating and the ability to walk around the vessel. The smaller zodiac-style vessels are for the more adventurous – they offer fewer amenities but provide a fun ride and a unique, on-the-water perspective. It’s recommended to speak with the tour operator about which style of vessel best suits your needs.
For a list of whale watching companies in the Tofino area, see the listings section at the bottom of the page.
Whales and Wildlife
On guided whale watching trips grey and humpback whales are the most common sightings. During the grey whale migration (March-May), grey whale sightings are almost a sure thing. A returning group of grey whales (known as "residents" to the whale researchers who study them) remain on the coast near Tofino throughout the summer and early autumn.
Humpback whales are also commonly sighted, and orcas (killer whales) are sometimes seen as well. This area of the coast is noted for its wildlife: sea lions, sea otters, porpoises, bald eagles and assorted species of sea birds can also be seen.
For more information on whale watching in Tofino, visit the Tofino Visitor Centre or check the listings below.
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