From February through October, we are treated to the presence of whales feasting in the waters of Clayoquot Sound.
Spring marks the return of life on the coast with the herring spawn. It’s nature’s prelude to the longest-known annual migration of any mammal on the planet. Approximately 20,000 Grey whales leave their wintering and calving areas in the waters of Baja California, Mexico, and travel up the West Coast to the feeding grounds in Bering Strait by Alaska.
While many Greys continue their journey north, some choose to stay here in the waters of Clayoquot Sound feasting on invertebrates buried in the muddy seafloor. Humpback whales soon join the feeding frenzy on their migration from the waters of Hawai’i and occasionally, we are treated to Transient Orcas (Killer whales) who pass through these waterways while hunting.
Grey whales reach 40 to 50 feet in length and are roughly the size of a school bus. They use 130 - 180 broom-like baleen plates in their mouths to force the muddy sediment out and keep the tasty crustaceans in.
Kakaẃin is the Indigenous name for orca. Nuu-chah-nulth Nations have a long history with Kakaẃin, relating to them as their relatives.
Ḿaaʔak - Grey whale
( Eschrichtius robustus )
Recognizable by their encrusted barnacles, Grey whales are the most common sighting here, with their long, narrow snouts. Chances are that you’ll see one or more spout, or breathe, through their two blowholes.
Humpbacks generally visit Tofino between June and September. They are easily recognizable from a distance by the distinctive “hump” on their back and can be seen breaching (leaping) out of the water. While we like to think they are doing it for fun, scientists believe they are trying to get the marine parasites off their skin.
Kakaẃin - Transient orca
( Orcinus orca )
There are two main types of Orcas, also known as Killer whales, in the Pacific Northwest: transient and resident. Resident Orcas subsist mostly on salmon and stick to a smaller range within their home waters (like the Puget Sound) while transient, as sometimes spotted in Tofino, roam wider regions and work together as a pod to hunt mammals.
Our coastal neighbours
Take the time to observe the layered colours of the rocky intertidal ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest: the coal grey of volcanic rock, the mustard yellow of rockweed, and the vibrant green of sea lettuce. Listen for the bark of tukuukʷ (Steller sea lions), the chortle of ćixʷatin (Bald eagles), and if you’re lucky, the clicks of hicwin (Dall’s porpoises) as they relish in the abundance of food available on the coast.
Choose from a range of vessels at the local outfitters. Feel the wind in your hair (and the sea spray) in a Zodiac boat, opt for a covered cabin cruiser, or perhaps a vessel with viewing decks, a restroom, and accessible boarding.
Outfitters will provide protective gear, ranging from raingear to a puffy red flotation suit. Be sure to wear layers, including gloves, closed-toe shoes and a toque (aka beanie) and bring seasickness medication if you think you need it, as it’s cool and bumpy on the water, even in the summer.
Tofino whale watching trips typically last 2.5 to 3 hours. Please arrive at least fifteen minutes before departure, to sign waivers and suit up.
Every tour is different, which is part of the beauty of a Tofino whale-watching trip. Safety is always a top priority, so the operator will decide where to go based on the current weather, swell, and reports of whale sightings.
Most outfitters offer a guaranteed whale sighting, given that tours operate (at a respectful distance) within their natural habitat. Typically a tour in Tofino sees whales and possibly sea otters, sea lions, and other animals who call Clayoquot Sound home.
Get on board
Check out our local whale watching tour operators to find the one that’s right for you.
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