TOFINO WILDLIFE BLOG
Hot Springs Cove Tour from Tofino: What to Expect on This West Coast Adventure
One of the most unforgettable experiences on the west coast of Vancouver Island is a visit to the natural geothermal pools at Hot Springs Cove. Accessible only by boat or floatplane, this remote destination offers visitors the chance to soak in mineral-rich hot springs surrounded by ancient rainforest and the wild Pacific Ocean.
At The Whale Centre, we run our Hot Springs Cove Tour from Tofino year-round, combining scenic cruising through the breathtaking waters of Clayoquot Sound with incredible opportunities to spot west coast wildlife along the way.
Bear Watching Tour
The Bear Watching Tour is a unique and unforgettable experience that provides visitors with an opportunity to observe black bears in the natural habitat and learn about their behaviour and ecology. It is a great way to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the west coast of Vancouver Island. This tour is perfect for those guests who prefer to boat on calm and protected waters.
Bear Watching Tours in Tofino take visitors by boat to observe black bears in their natural habit, foraging for berries and shellfish on the low tide. Guides are knowledgable about bear behaviour and will help visitors understand the importance of respecting the bears’ space and avoiding interfering with their natural activities.
WHY VISIT THE HOT SPRINGS?
There are several reasons to visit the hot springs in Maquinna Marine Park, located north of Tofino.
Relaxation: Soaking in the natural hot springs is a great way to unwind and relax. The heat from the water can help soothe sore muscles and relieve stress, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
GRAY WHALE MIGRATION
Gray Whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal species. They travel annually between their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic and their winter breeding and calving grounds in the lagoons of Baja, Mexico.
May Whale Watching in Tofino !
May was another great month on the water around Clayoquot Sound. Did you know that we share our sightings with researchers? Whenever possible we submit images of the whales to support ongoing efforts to catalogue the whales. Last month we photographed 29 different grey whales, and submitted those sightings along with location information to the Pacific Wildlife Foundation.
T123's, T069A's, T069D's & T109A's in Tofino this Week!
On Sunday we had a visit from the Bigg’s Killer Whales T069A’s, T069D’s and T123A. They travelled through the Tofino Harbour, up Browning Passage and into Tofino Inlet.
Back in Tofino: Bigg's Killer Whales T109B's, T109C's and Lone Bull T065A2
Yesterday was a great day for Killer Whale sightings for our guides in Tofino! In the morning Howie Tom picked up the T109B’s and T109C’s at Cleland Island. These two gangs spent the afternoon slowly making their way to Lennard Light eating many seals along the way. These two gangs are the offspring of T109 (aka Big Momma) and are frequent visitors to Clayoquot Sound.
Big Momma! Transient Killer Whale T109 in Tofino!!
Big Momma! T109 (born in the mid 1970’s) is a frequent visitor to Clayoquot Sound. This matriarch is a mother to 4 daughters and 1 son plus Grandmother/Great Grandmother to 13 offspring. She was in Tofino yesterday with T109D, T109D1 and T109E. Yesterday was our first encounter with her since T109B and T109C split off with their offspring.
Finally! The T109A's come back to Clayoquot Sound with T097!
This morning John and I were going to head out to try and photograph Blue Sharks but our plans changed when we got word that there were 9 Bigg’s Killer Whales off Lennard Light. The T109A’s, now a gang of eight, were back! They had not been photographed in our waters since winter. This gang is locally known as The Runaways and they are frequent visitors to the Tofino area. The gang had a bull with them today. T097, who was born in 1980, has only been photographed in our area once in 2011. We were excited to photograph a new to us Killer Whale and use the new DFO Photo-Identification catalogue! The Killer Whales spent most of the day slowing moving up the coast killing several seals along the way.
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES: T075B's, T075C's and T037A1 were in Tofino the past two days!
Yesterday we got word that 6 Killer Whales were making their way into Templar Channel. We met up with the Killer Whales as they were making their way through the Channel into the Tofino Harbour. They swam through the harbour and up Browning Passage. We identified the whales as the T075B, T075B2, T075B3, T075C, T075C1 and T037A1. They were last seen last night in the Bedwell.
Are the T023's the new locals?
A big shout out to Captain Chris McCue from Jamie’s Whaling Station for picking up the T023’s coming into the Tofino Harbour yesterday. It was a windy and choppy afternoon so the Killer Whales in calm waters were a real treat for everyone. John and I caught up with the Motley Crew gang (all of them: Janice and the C’s and D’s) in Browning Passage. We left them last night at the entrance to Gunner.
A Quick Glimpse of Killer Whales T117 and T120
Yesterday we got word that there were two Bigg’s Killer Whales heading up the coast off Cleland Island. Jamie’s Whaling Station was on scene and said there was a male bull and a female traveling quickly up the coast. We headed out in the Eco. These whales were traveling at 10 knots so we caught up with them off of Hot Springs Cove. T120 (born 1986) was with his mother T117 (born T117). We were able to capture a few photo ID’s of both whales and then we let them go. They were on a mission!
Another Day with Motley Crew - T023 Killer Whales in Tofino!
Another day with the whole family! First we got word that T023 and the T023D’s were back in the Bedwell this morning, right where we left them last night. John and I headed out in Lil’ Salty at 9:45 to the back side of Meares Island. When we arrived on scene the gang of Transient Killer Whales had just made a kill and were on the move heading out towards Rant Point.
Biggs Killer Whales - More of the T023's
A few days ago we had a visit from the Bigg’s Killer Whales T023C’s. Yesterday we had a report of Killer Whales at Indian Island. John and I jumped into the Eco and went up to have a look. We met up with the whales traveling at Windy Bay with Howie on the Goolka. T023 and T023D’s booked it out Browning Passage and through the Tofino Harbour, then headed out past Lennard Light and down the coast. We observed T023D with her two calves plus the matriarch Janice, aka T023.
A Rare Visit from the T050s Killer Whales near Tofino!
On Thursday evening we got a report that there were Killer Whales off Hippie Point. John and Howie headed out in the Eco at 5:30 pm. They came across a gang of Transient Killer Whales between Monks and Hippie Point. They followed the whales to Saranac Island and then back to Roberts Point. The T050’s were spy hopping and traveling. They spent about an hour with these Killer Whales. Tim on the Hootka Kootla was on his way back from Hot Springs Cove and was able to get a few looks of the gang too!
We don’t see the T050’s often in Tofino. The last time we photographed them was October 2015. This gang like to work the inlets and have been successful hunters while visiting Tofino. These Killer Whales are more frequently seen in Alaskan waters.
Killer Whales up Tofino Inlet (T023C's)
The T023C Killer Whales make an appearance in Tofino today!
Early this morning I was drinking my tea and getting ready for a busy Saturday when I got a text from our Guide Tim Tom that a gang of Killer Whales were passing his window at Opitsaht. All my Saturday plans changed. John and I headed down to the Eco to set out up Browning Passage to find them. Tim had jumped into his boat and was with the T023C’s when we arrived on scene. We followed the orcas up Browning Passage, into Tofino Inlet where they led us up Tranquil. Along the way they tangled with a sea lion but left it alone after a few breaches.
The T023C’s have broken off from T023’s, aka Motley Crew. T023C was born in 1990 and she appears to have three calves (born in 2009, 2013 and a new one that looks like it was born in the last year or more.
The last time we saw the T023C’s was in May 2016 and they were still with the Matriarch T023. They all took the same path of coming through the Tofino Harbour and headed up Tofino Inlet.
Both the morning and afternoon Whale Watching Tours were able to get out to see the Killer Whales!