Tofino Whale Watching Tour - Open Boat
Duration
2 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
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Languages
English
Live tour guide available in the language you select
Skip the line
Included
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Experience sightings of sea lions, sea otters, and bald eagles along the route
Learn about responsible and safe wildlife viewing practices on open water
Discover diverse marine ecosystems teeming with wildlife in Clayoquot Sound
Explore small-group tours with clear views and close wildlife encounters
€ 109.8
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This activity is managed by our trusted partner FareHarbor.
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Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
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Experience the thrill of exploring the wild waters of Clayoquot Sound, where the ocean comes alive with majestic whales, orcas, and playful porpoises. Discover Tofino’s outer coastline and sheltered inlets aboard an open Boston Whaler, feeling the salty breeze and the excitement of a close-to-nature adventure. Learn about the rich marine ecosystems where whales feed, surface, and sometimes breach, while also spotting sea lions, sea otters, and bald eagles along the way. Explore a small-group setting that ensures unobstructed views and intimate encounters with some of the ocean’s most iconic wildlife.
Experience the expertise and passion of our crew, who provide live commentary on whale behaviour, migration patterns, and the diverse marine life of Clayoquot Sound. Discover the advantages of an open-air vessel that offers immersive wildlife viewing and unparalleled photo opportunities. Learn about the Raincheck Guarantee, providing peace of mind if whales are not sighted, allowing a return visit to continue your adventure. Explore the natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable moments that make whale watching in Clayoquot Sound a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Breathtaking views
Sightseeing
Live interpretation from expert guides
Suits and safety gear
Gratuities
Warm Layers
Waterproof Jacket
Hat & Gloves
Sunglasses & Sunscreen
Camera or Smartphone
Reusable Water Bottle
Closed-Toe Shoes
Participants must be at least 3 years old
Maximum group size of twelve guests
Pack swimwear and a towel for the hot springs soak
Dress in layers suitable for coastal and marine conditions
Choose sturdy footwear for the rainforest boardwalk walk
Have a camera ready to capture every special moment
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Activity Provider: The Whale Centre
Customer Reviews
Emilie
Nic and his crew were amazing! What a phenomenal experience. I booked over email and Nic was so incredibly kind, patient and helpful. He updated me along the way and answered every question I had. Kate was awesome and helped me immediately when we got on board. Nic is a great speaker, he’s very passionate about what he does and cares deeply about the animals we were so fortunate to see. We had a stop in a small town on the most southern part of Ireland. Great seafood chowder! Cosy little place. Amazing sea side view.
Greg
Super trip with many explanations, great captain and crew, and lucky to have had many sightings.
Alfredo
Great adventure, Nic and crew made us feel welcome since the very first step on the boat. Limited amount of people onboard which makes the journey enjoyable compared to other services available with overcrowded boats. We managed to see both dolphins and a couple of whales, actively helping spot them. Great experience and highly recommended.
Jason
First thing to say is that we were very blessed with the weather for our week in West Cork. Parking is free at the harbour in Baltimore but you really need to arrive early to grab one of the 50 or so spaces. we got lucky and found one at 8:30 for our trip at 9am. Meeting Nic and the sister ship crew (Kate and Rosemary) was easy enough, just keep an eye open for them moving the boats into position in the small but beautiful harbour. Nic introduced himself, ticked all our names off and added some lght hearted humour to the important safety proceedings. We boarded, put on life jackets and after some further instructions we set sail on two catamarans which afford 360 viewing around the central covered interior. both outdoor and indoor seating available. Once out of Baltimore harbour our search began for spotting whales and dolphins. Kate (our expert spotter and researcher) did an excellent job in combination with Nic on the other boat of spotting the animals as within 15 mins of departure we were surrounded by playfull dolphins. Truly a memorable experience. The dolphins swam with our boat for a good while just in front of the bow as the catamaran created a pressure wave in front of the boat. Incredible. We were continually also searching for whales and spotted several minky whales at a distance. Often you could only glimpse them as they surfaced briefly before diving. Kate and Rosemary were available to chat to at all times and piloted our boat expertly throughout. As mentioned, the weather was stunning. Calm waters and superb visibility. Rosemary did a brilliant job of spotting from her position on top of the roof and a sighting of a fin whale halfway through the trip was a real highlight. It emerged a few times from the surface and on one occasion revealed it's scale with an impressive dive just a hundred or so metres from us. We also passed by rocks with resting seals and had a brief stop off at the small harbour of Cape Clear where there is a snack bar and toilets. This is already a long review but to also mention the scenery along the trip which is breathtaking. Everywhere you look is beautiful. Truly a magical experience and worth every cent. Highly recommend. Thank you so much Nic, Kate and Rosemary.
Marcin
Great experience! Unfortunately the ocean was to uneven and we could not do the whale watching, we did the inshore experience and it was fantastic... we were able to see dolphins and Atlantic seals all the views were breathtaking. Trip to Cape Claire was great too. The whole crew was great and highly professional. We loved every minute of it. Highly recommended.