The Whale Centre Crew
Meet The Whale Centre Team
At The Whale Centre, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service from the moment you step foot in Tofino until the time we bid you farewell. As a locally owned and family operated Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour Company with a legacy dating back to 1986, our commitment to excellence is unwavering.
Our passionate team is devoted to ensuring that your time on the water with The Whale Centre is nothing short of spectacular and memorable. With a reputation as an industry front-runner, we prioritize safety and environmental responsibility in all our wildlife watching endeavors.
Join us for an experience that combines adventure, education, and conservation, as we embark on a journey to discover the wonders of Tofino's marine life while upholding the highest standards of stewardship and service.
Meet the Team
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John Forde
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Alistair Horne
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Riley Banks
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Jean-Yves Daniel
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Manuel Choquette
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Owen Crosby
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Xavier Morin
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David Hull
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Jennifer Steven
Our Story
The Whale Centre is a family-owned wildlife tour company based in downtown Tofino, built on more than 23 years of shared passion, hard work, and deep connection to the waters of Clayoquot Sound.
Operated by John Forde and Jennifer Steven, the business has grown from a small local operation into one of Tofino’s most trusted providers of whale watching, bear watching, birding tours, and unforgettable day trips to Hot Springs Cove. While working together as partners in both life and business can be challenging, it has also strengthened their shared commitment to what matters most: respectful, educational wildlife experiences and protecting the incredible ecosystem they call home.
Jennifer manages operations and the office, while John is an experienced captain and guide on the water. Both are passionate wildlife photographers, active community members, and long-time advocates for conservation in the region—including volunteering with marine research and wildlife documentation efforts in Clayoquot Sound.
Born and raised in Tofino, Jennifer has witnessed the town’s transformation from a quiet resource-based community into a world-renowned ecotourism destination. John, who has spent much of his life on these waters since childhood summers at Chesterman Beach, brings decades of on-the-water experience and a deep respect for the coast. Together, they have helped shape a business that not only shares the beauty of this place, but actively works to protect it for future generations.
At its heart, The Whale Centre is more than a tour company—it’s a family-run operation rooted in community, conservation, and a lifelong love of the wild west coast.
