Tofino Bird Watching Tour

TOFINO BIRD WATCHING TOURS

Experience world-class coastal birding in Tofino, one of the top wildlife destinations on Vancouver Island. Our guided bird watching tours explore the nutrient-rich waters and rugged shoreline of Clayoquot Sound, a globally recognized ecosystem teeming with seabirds and marine life.

Travel by open boat to prime birding habitats including Cleland Island Ecological Reserve, a protected nesting site for multiple seabird species. Depending on the season, you may encounter tufted puffins (late May through August), auklets, murres, guillemots, cormorants, gulls, shorebirds, and coastal raptors such as bald eagles.

Our tours are designed for everyone—from first-time birders to experienced listers—featuring knowledgeable guides who help spot, identify, and share fascinating insights about each species and habitat. With dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife, and expert interpretation, this is one of the best bird watching experiences on the West Coast of Canada.

Book your Tofino Bird Watching Tour today and discover why this region is a must-visit destination for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

TOFINO BIRD WATCHING TOUR RATES

Adult: $169
Senior (65+) & Youth (13–18): $169
Children (2–12): $139
Private Charter (up to 12 guests): $1800

TOUR DURATION: 2.5 Hours

12-passenger vessel
Fast, adventurous ride along the rugged coastline
Excellent for photography and unobstructed wildlife viewing

All guests are provided with a Mustang Floater Suit for warmth and safety.

Important Information

Check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure
Prices do not include taxes & fees
Infants are not permitted on this vessel

Please review our Cancellation Policy before booking.

Tofino Bird Watching Tour

British Columbia is a vast and diverse natural region located on the Pacific Flyway that hosts many world-renowned birding locations. Tofino's has bird watching options for both the novice birder and the big year birder. Our bird watching tours take us out to Cleland Island and other birding spots in Clayoquot Sound.

Join us for a unique Bird Watching trip on an open boat along the West Coast of Vancouver Island. This tour leaves Tofino and explores the rugged coastline as we venture offshore to the Cleland Island Ecological Reserve, 14 km west of Tofino, a premier sure for viewing seabirds. In 1971 Cleland Island became the first ecological reserve in British Columbia (B.C. Parks, 2015) and it was established to protect breeding populations of many species of seabirds. The grass belt provides nesting sites for Leach’s Storm-petrel, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Rhinoceros Auklet and Cassin’s Auklet, which tunnel into the sandy soil. The bare rocks, beach logs and general surface of the island are home to Pigeon Guillemot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black Oystercatcher, Pelagic Cormorant and a few Common Murres. The island has one of the largest Tufted Puffin colonies from late May - late August, south of Triangle Island.

This tour will be lead by an experienced guide who can help with spotting and identification.

Birds often seen on the Tofino Bird Watching Tour: Tufted puffin, common murres, black oystercatchers, surf birds and more.

WHAT TO BRING ON THE BIRD WATCHING TOUR:

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
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.

WHAT WILL WE CAN ON THE TOFINO BIRD WATCHING TOUR:

Tufted puffins, common murres, black oystercatchers, surf birds, 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.

Cancellation Policy

Need to cancel or reschedule – no problem! Just contact us at least 48 hours prior to your adventure’s departure to reschedule or to cancel (and receive a full refund), no questions asked.

MORE DETAILS:

For independent travel bookings of 9 passengers or less: 48 hours before scheduled departure, partial or whole cancellations made within 48 hours before departure will be charged 100% of the tour price. Tour amendments cannot be completed within a 48-hour window. There will be no refunds for cancellations within the cancellation period.
Private tours require 72 hours notice to cancel for a full refund.