Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles. Migrating humpbacks join resident grays from march to september and roaming orcas year round. And rightfully so, the gray whale has the longest migration of any other mammal. Whalewatching tragedy in tofino, british columbia ari sarsalari reports on the tragedy that happened while whalewatching tofino, british columbia. Tofino and ucluelet are the two favourite northern gray whale watching communities on the west coast of vancouver island. And rightfully so, the gray whale has the longest migration of. 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. He made his passion to his career in the year of 2007 when he moved to tofino and started adventure tofino wildlife tours. 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. 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. Tsimka martin speaks about first nations culture of whale hunting on the west coast of vancouver island. Evidently, last years whale watching trip on the bay of fundy was not enough to cure me of doing it all over again on the west coast.
The whale centre tour guide tofino, british columbia 51. Beyond the shores of tofino is an uninterrupted stretch of ocean, with nothing. Whale watching tofino and ucluelet west coast motel. Jamies operates our waterfront adventure stations in the hearts of both seaside communities of tofino and ucluelet. 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 the way to cold alaskan waters, where the food is. The pacific rim whale festival in the coastal towns of tofino and ucluelet kicks off an allout celebration of the gray whale migration and life in general on the fabulous west coast of vancouver island. Point was on its way to pick up passengers on a jamies whaling station excursion when it ran aground on the north shore of. Tofino is a small community on the rugged west coast of vancouver.
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. Whalewatching tragedy in tofino, british columbia the. Conveniently located in the heart of the charming town of tofino, the shore pier was inspired by the natural soundings. Remote passages whale watching tours from tofino, bc, vancouver island, canada. Tofino whale watching remote passages, tofino, british. Tofino whalewatching company had another fatal accident in 1998. Tofino is definitely worth a visit and has lots to offer but if you have the time the best whale watching at that time of year in my opinion is at the north end of island.
Set sail on your destinations toprated boat tours and cruises. We observed the t007bs and t010s hunting and traveling up the coast together. Whale watching from the shore is an unlikely gamble. With so many larger tour operators already established in tofino, my goal was to provide a different wildlife experience for my guests, tours in. Wildlife and whale watching in tofino, bc travel for wildlife. Great for guests looking for accommodations in ucluelet or tofino. Tofino is a district of approximately 1,932 residents on the west coast of vancouver island in the. Nowhere else has the convergence of mountains, rainforest and ocean produced such natural drama. So, with heavy hearts, we feel it is our responsibility to postpone the pacific rim whale festival for march 2020. Jamies whaling station and adventure centres tofino. We booked a whale watching cruise out of tofino and after getting kitted up in survival suits fit for the surface of mars, we got out on the water in a whaler with 2 suzuki 175 horse power outboard motors. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a smart phone.
Some of these massive mammals stay in our waters for the summer, giving ample opportunities for viewing. Swell is the energy moving through the ocean, dynamic and constantly changing, a reminder that we are all connected on our small little planet. On the app, you can create a new report, select the species, add a photo and any other helpful information. We have a strong sense of urgency and duty to the community. My wife gets seasick so is unable to go on any sort of whale watching boat or kayak. Zodiac whale watching in tofino, british columbia, canada west coast.
Transportation officials must look at whether a whalewatching boat that sank near tofino, killing at least five people sunday, was too close to the shore, a marine safety expert said tuesday. Whale watching in tofino, bc, is relaxing, captivating and exhilating all at once. Whale watching in tofino, whale watching at remote passages. Tolles whale watching adventure tofino wildlife tours. On a calm day it is possible to watch whales pass by from the many beaches and trails that extend along much of the coast between ucluelet and tofino. The district of tofino, tourism tofino, and the tofino chamber of commerce has asked visitors to follow the directive of the federal and provincial governments. If you want to get out on the ocean and enjoy some wildlife viewing, a whale. Migrating humpbacks join resident grays from march to. The most commonly spotted whale in this area is the grey whale, but occasional humpbacks and orcas make an appearance, too. Tofino whale watching tofino whale watching tours tofino whale articles.
In clayoquot sound, black bears are most commonly seen feeding on the shoreline at low tide. Point was on its way to pick up passengers on a jamies whaling station excursion when. 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. Oct 26, 2015 a whale watching boat with 27 people on board has sunk off the coast of western canada, killing at least five people, emergency services say. Tofino whale watching tofino accommodations on chesterman. The gray whale is the most common sighting here, most recognizable by its encrusted barnacles. The whale centre has over thirty years experience in sharing tofino and clayoqout sounds ecosystems with guests from all over the world. The whale centre, tofino, bc tofino whale watching, bear. Dozens of activities from photo contests to documentary presentations bring the whole community together to see the whales gliding along the. Long beach lodge resort marine adventures captain josh lewis knows the water, whales and wildlife of tofino, long beach. Join us in connecting with nature and the area on one of our kayaking tours. Whale watching tofino west coast aquatic safaris, tofino. Tofino whale watching tours ocean outfitters, tofino bc. I am a bit biased as i live here but september usually has good numbers of orcas in the area plus high numbers of humpback whales.
Oct 26, 2015 tofino whale watching company had another fatal accident in 1998. Welcome to whales tail guest suites, ucluelet, vancouver island, bc our allsuite motelvacation rental that feels like a home not a hotel. You will also see lots of sea birds, eagles seals and steller sea lions and probably dalls. There are a few places galiano islands bellhouse provincial park, point roberts in washington state, lime kiln park on san juan island, as others have suggested where once in a while, orcas have been sighted. Tofino even hosts a whale watching festival in early march, timed to coincide with the return of the gray whales from their winter calving grounds in mexico. In small groups and guided by one of our experienced guides, this will be a unique wildlife experience. Tlaoquiaht whale hunt tashii paddle school and tofino sup. Tofino has a long whale watching season, running from march through to late november. Check out our list of mustdo water activities in tofino. Whale watching season in tofino begins in march and ends in late october. Thousands of gray whales migrate closely to shore and the west coast of vancouver island.
Jamies offers tours in tofino and ucluelet on highspeed, zodiacstyle vessels for those craving adventure, or board our large cruiser style whale watching vessels to find comfort and relax. People from all parts of the world come here to watch these magnificent creatures of the deep. They conduct research of the marine ecosystems, monitor marine life and promote public awareness of the marine environment in clayoquot sound. Enjoy the boat ride out on the open pacific ocean in search for whales, sea lions, sea otters and other wildlife. He leads whale watching and wildlife adventures on land and at sea. Whales and bears a trip to the broken group islands part of pacific rim national park, with a focus on bear and whale watching. Every march, the migration of thousands of grey whales is celebrated at the pacific rim whale festival, while the last weekend of april is the tofino shorebird. Whale watching tofino and ucluelet bc humpback, grays. We must stay close to home if we want to keep our citizens safe. 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.
Tofino sea kayaking kayaking on vancouver island, bc. Whale watching in tofino with jamies full time canada. Join tofino whale watching inc on a wildlife safari for orca, humpback, and grey whales aboard our spacious, high speed, cabinstyle cruisers. Our whale watching season runs from early march until the end of october. Our morning will be spent travelling to the west coast of vancouver island. Specializing in delivering a versatile event rental space, the shore pier is ideally suited for corporate social events, meetings, conferences, tradeshows, training, retreats and weddings. At this time all scheduled events have been cancelled. British columbia whale watching in british columbia whaletrips. Tofino wildlife location in canada, north america wildlife worldwide.
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. Feb 20, 20 whale watching from ucluelet and tofino into clayoquot and barkley sound is an experience to remember. Tofino fishing tofino fishing charters have expert experienced guides here. Join our whale watching tour on board our open zodiac. Local businesses contacts for whale watching in tofino.
Gray whale migration passes vancouver island vancouver. Both places can have good whale watching depending on the time of year. At jamies whaling station, our team of local experts has been professionally guiding adventure seekers from around the world to explore the nooks and crannies of clayoquot sound and barkley sound since 1982. Whale watching in ucluelet, whale watching at subtidal. Tofino whale, sea otter and walrus watching designside. The 30ton giants can be seen from shore, as early as february, with females and calves passing by from mid march, through april and into. Wildlife, ocean, beautiful forests, hot springs and more. Oct 27, 2015 transportation officials must look at whether a whale watching boat that sank near tofino, killing at least five people sunday, was too close to the shore, a marine safety expert said tuesday. Tofino whale watching whales and other wildlife love tofino.
Vehicle access to tofino ucluelet from vancouver includes a crossing with bc ferries, or arrive more quickly on a seaplane. We will take a ferry from vancouver and then drive to the town of tofino, bc, where guests can choose to take a whale watching tour or simply spend the rest of the day relaxing. The shore in tofino in tofino, bc prices, plans, availability. Most common in this area are the summer resident gray whales. Tofino is a popular surfing and whale watching resort near the clayoquot area. Whale watching in tofino head out on the pristine waters of clayoquot sound in search of mighty gray and humpback whales. Whale watching companies, index to charter operators, and long beach maps pricing and video guide to tofino, long beach, ucluelet and every attraction in pacific rim national park, bc.
Tofino whale watching tours the whale centre, tofino, bc. Come experience the true west coast with our passionate team. Tofino whale watching inc discover tofino bc canada. The most impressive part is the coast of the clayoquot sound between ucluelet and tofino with its grotesque rock formations and kilometers of lonesome beaches. Jamies whale watching and adventure tours in tofino bc. There are two places to whale watch from the pacific rim. Where would the optimal place be on shore to see orcas, whales, other. Gray whales migrate northward to the subarctic waters of the bering sea from their breeding grounds in mexico from march until june each year, and then begin the migration back south between september and december.
Tofino whale watching is an amazing up close and personal view of whales. In the heart of downtown tofino, this luxury waterfront development boasts some of north americas most spectacular, unobstructed oceanfront views. Whale watching off tofino, ucluelet, and vancouver island. Tofino boat chartersair charters explore clayoquot sound. Ocean outfitters is the perfect place to set off on all of your tofino activities. Whales, bears, sea lions, wolves, eagles, sea otters, seals, tufted puffins, and so much more. The research station is very important to clayoquot sound. May sees activities around the shore bird festival.
Remote passages brings many years of experience and a responsible approach to whale watching in tofino on the west coast. In october 2015, a whale watching vessel capsized off the coast of tofino resulting the. Whale watching from ucluelet and tofino into clayoquot and barkley sound is an experience to remember. Offering daily ecofriendly whale watching, bear watching and hot springs tours for over 30 years from beautiful tofino, british columbia. 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. Choose from a range of vessels offered by our member outfitters, from the windinyourhair zodiac boat to a covered vessel. Tofino whalewatching company had another fatal accident. 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. Nov 17, 2016 just a few of the adventures we offer. While we feel that the districts of ucluelet and tofino are currently safe zones, we would not want this status to change. Launching from tofino takes you into clayoquot sound. Whether its an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, these are the best tofino cruises around. We had a safe fun and informative whale watching experience first thing to do in tofino is book a tour with west coast safaris.
Tofino surfing surfing waves for beginners and experts. Whale watching in tofino, whale watching at remote. The whale centre tour guide tofino, british columbia. Tofino whale watching companies provide zodiacs and comfy cruises. Charting the course for responsible wildlife viewing since 1982. Tofino whale watching tours are unforgettable adventures for all ages. Orcas and whale watching from shore on vancouver island. Swell education is the new name for tashii paddles paddleboarding, surfing, and first aid programs. Here is everything you need to know about tofino whale watching. Our season starts with the longest migration of any mammal, the gray whale. Simple west coast lodging for travellers and kayakers.
909 1150 1456 1113 437 53 1189 1097 931 1207 1326 255 1188 983 709 810 376 355 406 702 241 1321 1430 271 828 625 1289 889 298 1057 1394 1217 1322 789 1348 1145 1100 869