TOFINO WILDLIFE BLOG
What to Expect on a Tofino Bear Watching Tour
If you’re planning a visit to Tofino, a bear watching tour is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience the wild coastline of Vancouver Island. Along the sheltered inlets and tidal shores of Clayoquot Sound, black bears emerge daily to feed along the shoreline, offering incredible viewing opportunities from the water.
Here’s everything you can expect on a Tofino bear watching tour—from departure to wildlife encounters and what makes this experience so unique.
What to Wear on a Whale Watching Tour in Tofino
Planning a whale watching tour in Tofino? One of the most common questions we hear at The Whale Centre is:
“What should I wear?”
The key is simple: dress warmer than you think and prepare for changing ocean conditions.
Out on the water, even sunny days can feel cool with wind and ocean spray. Here’s exactly how to stay comfortable so you can focus on spotting whales.
Tofino Bear Watching Tours: When, Where & How to See Black Bears in the Wild
If seeing a black bear in its natural habitat is on your bucket list, there are few places on earth better than Tofino.
Tucked into the wild coastline of Clayoquot Sound, Tofino offers one of the most unique wildlife experiences in Canada—watching black bears forage along the shoreline at low tide.
In this guide, we’ll cover exactly when to go, what you’ll see, and how to choose the best bear watching tour in Tofino.
Open Boat vs Covered Boat in Tofino for Whale Watching & Bear Tours: Which Should You Choose?
If you’re planning a wildlife tour in Tofino, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is which type of boat to book.
Both open boats and covered boats visit the same areas, travel at similar speeds, and see the same incredible wildlife—whales, bears, sea lions, and more. The difference comes down to your experience on the water.
TOFINO BEAR WATCHING TOURS
Our Bear Watching Tours for 2019 will start up mid-April from Tofino. The Black Bears will be waking up from winter hibernation hungry and looking to forage on the coastline. Vancouver Island has the highest density of black bears in North America, and a total estimated population of 12,000.
Unlike whale watching, which ventures out on the open ocean's waves, bear watching is done from covered vessel with a viewing deck, or open Boston Whaler boat on the calm inside waters in and around Tofino Inlet. This is where black bears can be witnessed at low tide, as they approach the shore on their quest for nutritious shore crabs by turning over beach boulders and rocks.
