Embarking on a Whale Watching Tour presents the ultimate opportunity to immerse yourself in the extraordinary marine life and breathtaking scenery that the west coast of Vancouver Island showcases.

Tofino boasts an extensive whale watching season, spanning from March to late November. It commences with an awe-inspiring spectacle as 15,000 Gray Whales migrate past our shores in spring, journeying from their birthing grounds near the Baja Peninsula to the Bering Strait in Alaska. Some of these massive mammals stay in our waters for the spring, summer and fall, giving ample opportunities for whale viewing. Tofino also offers opportunities to view humpback whales, killer whales, fin whale and minke whales. We will venture to common feeding areas near Long Beach, Vargas Island and Flores Island to view cetaceans in the natural habitat. In addition to whale watching, our tours offer opportunities to encounter other marine life, including sea otters, seals, sea lions, and a diverse array of seabirds.

During our 2.5-hour whale watching tour, our seasoned guides will offer in-depth insights into the behavior and ecology of the whales. We provide this tour on both an Open Boat, a 12-seat Boston Whaler Boat, and a Cabin Cruiser Boat, a 12-seat heated vessel with a covered area and an open back viewing deck. Departures are available at various times throughout the day: morning, mid-day, and afternoon. For specific daily departure times on our covered and open boats, please refer to the "book now" button below.

Please note: The Whale Watching Tour takes place on the open ocean and may encounter some swell.

 
 

WHALE WATCHING TOUR - OPEN BOSTON WHALER BOAT

DEPARTURE TIMES: 

All tour departure times are posted on our Booking Page online or view our calendar below.

WHALE WATCHING TOUR RATES:

Adult: $159
Senior (65+) & Youth (13-18): $149
Children (2-12): $129
Private (up to 12 guests): $1600

TOUR DURATION: 2.5 Hours

  • Open Boston Whaler Boat, seats 12 passengers.

  • All guests will wear a Mustang Floater Suit.

  • Read our Cancellation Policy & Guarantee for Sightings

  • Check-in time for the tour is 30 minutes before departure time.

  • Prices displayed do not include taxes & fees.

  • This boat does not allow infants.

WHALE WATCHING TOUR - COVERED CABIN CRUISER

DEPARTURE TIMES:

All tour departure times are posted on our Booking Page online or view our calendar below.

WHALE WATCHING RATES:

Adult: $159
Senior (65+) & Youth (13-18): $149
Children (2-12): $129
Child Under 2: FREE*
Private (up to 11 guests): $1600

TOUR DURATION: 2.5 Hours

  • Cabin Cruiser Boat with open back deck seats 12 passengers.

  • Prices do not include tax (5% GST) + fees

  • Read our Cancellation Policy & Guarantee for Sightings.

  • Please arrive 30 minutes before departure time

  • Prices displayed do not include taxes & fees.

  • One free infant per departure. First-come, first-serve. All infants under nine months need to be in a front carrier.

The 2024 Tofino whale watching season is underway! Dive into the wonder of whales in their natural habitat aboard one of our family friendly covered vessels. For a faster-paced adventure, opt for our Open Boat whale watching tours. Multiple daily trips are available and can be booked through the calendar below.

FIND YOUR DATE AND BOOK

WHAT TO BRING:

  • Dress warmly in layers for the open boat (long sleeves, pants, fleece or sweater)

  • Rain gear (if it is raining)

  • Enclosed shoes (sandals not recommended)

  • Winter hat and gloves (early Spring / late Fall)

  • Binoculars

  • Camera

  • Drinking water

  • Sunglasses / sunscreen

  • Your sense of adventure!

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

  • Open Boat: Full Mustang Floater Suits (XS to XXXL) for your safety and protection from ocean spray & cool air.

  • Cabin Cruiser Boat: PFD’s and life jackets.

WHAT WILL WE SEE ON THE WHALE TOUR:

  • Whales! Plus Harbour Seals, Sea Otters, Tufted Puffins, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and more.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • Please arrive 30 minutes before the tour’s departure time to be outfitted in floater suits and sign a waiver. At the office our team will provide a safety briefing plus an overview of the tour and area we will be exploring. The boat is docked a short one minute walk from our office.

  • Make sure you read & understand our booking policies and waiver terms before processing your reservation.

  • Read our cancellation policy and note we have a 48 hour policy to cancel.

  • These trips may not be suitable for people who are pregnant or with serious back or neck problems - please let us know at time of booking of any such conditions.

  • Each passenger is required to sign a Release of Liability at check-in. Participants must be 19 years of age or require a parent or guardian to sign on their behalf.

  • An eco wildlife conservation fee of $3 will be added to each fare in support of maintaining the ecosystem in Clayoquot Sound.  

  • Multi-tour discounts, $15 off second and additional tours, contact us to book your tours so you receive the discount. 

  • Prices are subject to change.

  • Our vessels do not have washrooms on board.

  • We reserve the right to delay or cancel a departure if there are fewer than 4 guests reserved at the time of departure.

WHALE WATCHING TOUR DETAILS

  • Gray Whales highlight our Whale Watching Tours. We view Grey Whales from early March to late November!

  • We see Humpback Whales and Killer Whales on our whale watching tours too but not every day.

  • Humpback Whales are in Clayoquot Sound May - September, depending on where their food sources go.

  • Killer Whales are a wild card and will randomly show up. We see mostly see Transient Killer Whales in Clayoquot Sound.

  • Experienced, qualified and passionate skippers to answer all your questions.

  • Best time to see whales? March - October.

  • On the Open Boat Tours you are provided with protective Mustang floatation suits for safety and to stay warm.

  • We follow the Whale Wise Viewing Guidelines to protect marine mammals and be respectful of their space.

  • Our whale watching tours are on open ocean and we will experience some swell.

 
 

WHALE WATCHING FAQ’S

  • We mostly see Grey Whales off Tofino from March - November.

    Humpback Whales are feeding in our waters from April - October.

    Killer Whales are here year round but we never know when to expect them.

  • Our whale watching tours are 2.5 hours long.

  • We see whales all day long - from morning to night.

  • We follow all regulations and guidelines for watching marine life.

    We are required to be 100 m from Grey Whales and 200 m from Transient Killer Whales. Occasionally whales do get curious and swim closer to the boat. In these situations we will turn off the boat engines and wait until it is safe to move the boat.

    For more info on whale watching guidelines please view this link:

    https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/watching-observation/index-eng.html

  • Whales! We will try to show you as many whales as we can on the tour. We will also see Sea Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, Harbour Seals, Tufted Puffins and more!

  • No. We will remind you to use our washroom in the office when you check in for the tour. We recommend not drinking a big coffee or drink right before your tour.

 TOFINO WHALE WATCHING PHOTO GALLERY

 

Do you want your own Private Whale Watching Tour?
Learn more about our private tour options.

Give the gift of a Tofino adventure!
Gift certificates for all of our tours can be purchased online.

How to book your Whale Watching Tour?
Book online, drop into our office or call us 1-888-474-2288.

GUEST TESTIMONIALS

“Staff was sooo friendly. The tour itself was like an interactive discovery Channel! I was sooo impressed with not only the whales we were able to see but the knowledge and tracking information that was shared was incredible! Our Guide (Mark) had such a love and care about these whales it melted my heart! The concern these guys show for these amazing creatures is truly heartfelt!!!! If you’re ever gonna take a tour...take it with these guys!”
— Haj S.
“We had an amazing tour this morning and got to see orcas as well as gray whales. Our driver was very knowledgeable of the area, its history and the local fauna which made for a great experience beyond simply whale watching. We also got to see several mammals such as sea otters, harbour seals and sea lions, as well as many types of birds which our guide was very knowledgeable about. Even if we hadn’t seen orcas (the original purpose of our tour), the overall experience would have been beyond expectations. Great value for the money compared to other places on Vancouver Island and it has a less commercial / touristy vibe to it as well. Our driver was very respectful of the animals and safety measures were followed from start to finish. Highly recommended.”
— Derik M.