Located on Vanvouver Island’s West Coast, Tofino is a unique temperate rainforest experience and one of British Columbia’s'must see' places. With wild Pacific surf pounding the wide and sandy beaches, trees that seem to reach up forever, and the beautiful mountains that frame the waters of Clayoquot Sound, Tofino truly calms the soul. The coastline of Tofino is best explored on a surfboard, and eager riders come from around the globe in an attempt to tame the mighty waves of the world-famous Long Beach. The beach is an attraction in itself, offering a sandy stretch of coastline that is perfect for a day of fun or a leisurely stroll. Occasionally, the powerful Pacific Ocean unleashes its fury in an awesome display of natural prowess. Watching these storms is the latest ‘must do’ activity in Tofino.

Wildlife viewing is very much on the Tofino agenda. Here are a few specific trips we recommend:

A tour featuring black bears and exploring the fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound. During the winter, local Black bears are in semi-hibernation. Come May, they leave their dens and head for the closest food source - the ocean! While the bears forage in the intertidal zone, you can unobtrusively observe and photograph their behaviour. There are also whale watching trips aboard an open-air rescue-style 24' rigid-hulled Zodiac for watching whales and learning about this unique environment (from £71 per person).

You stand a great chance of spotting whales from Tofino. A trip in either a zodiac or a covered vessel costs (from £71 per person) and will take you through the pristine waters of Clayoqout Sound. Depending on the time of year, you could encounter gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles.  

You could also combine a whale watching tour with a trip up to the hot springs located 32kms north of Tofino. While on shore, you will hike 2 kms along the rainforest boardwalk trail from the dock to where the natural sulphur hot springs are located. Afterwards, head out to sea in search of whales and other marine life before returning to the dock (from £102 per person).

Wildlife Watching on the Islands                            
Vancouver Island also encompasses many islands that dot the waters off the southern coast of BC. The Islands Region is home to populations of grizzly and black bears, and Orcas, humpback and grey whales pass their shores from March to October. There are a number of luxury resorts in and around these islands – ask for details.

For details of Vancouver Island accommodation or any of these Vancouver Island day tour suggestions click on the links on the right. Our experienced consultants can easily build any of these experiences into a tailor-made Canada holiday quote for you.