FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It is important to dress in warm, layered clothing as it is colder on the open ocean than on land. We recommend your layers include a waterproof jacket or windbreaker, sweater and closed-toe shoes. The company will provide clean gloves and toques to borrow and return. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and sunglasses, too!

Yes, it is possible, especially if you are prone to motion sickness. You may wish to consider taking motion sickness medication or speaking with your doctor if you are unsure.

The Hot Springs Cove tour is an ocean excursion to remote natural hot springs surrounded by temperate rainforest inside Ahousaht haḥuułii (territorial lands and waters). This excursion combines boating, hiking and soaking in natural thermal pools – the best of everything!

The tour can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, our tours require a minimum age of 2 years old. The boardwalk hike takes 30-45 minutes (each way). Children must be closely monitored as the majority of the boardwalk does not have railings.

There are restroom facilities near the hot spring pools, as well as change rooms. It is essential to dispose of litter properly and pack out all waste.

No, pets are not permitted on the tour.

The best time of year is from March to October. Bear watching is best April through September. Both whales and bears have an overall sightings success rate of 95% throughout the season.

This is a personal preference. Covered cabin-cruiser vessels offer the comfort of indoor seating and viewing, as well as access to an outer viewing deck. Rigid-hulled inflatable vessels (commonly called zodiacs) are open boats that offer an exhilarating ride and require that floatation cruiser suits be worn on the tour. There are height and health restrictions applicable to the zodiac vessels that must be inquired about.  

Yes! You may also see sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and a variety of seabirds depending on the season (ie. oyster catchers and occasionally puffins are crew favorites!).

Yes, whale watching tours are operated with safety as the number one priority for our visitors and crew. We follow the policies and procedures contained in a formal Safety Management System (SMS) and all of our guides are experienced and Transport-Canada certified.

We prefer if you enjoy drinks and snacks after your whale and bear watching tours. For the longer Hot Springs Cove tour, we recommend you bring a snack and beverage, however, we do not permit any glass or plastic bags onboard the vessels. We also offer a full service coffee bar at our retail location, where you can order hot beverages upon your return. They help to bring back warmth and comfort after an exhilarating experience on the ocean!