Quick Details
Adult
Ages 19-64
CA$ 159
Youth
Ages 13-18 • Must be at least 4' 8" tall for Zodiac option
CA$ 139
Child (Covered Cruiser Only)
Ages 12 & under • Must be at least 4' 8" tall for Zodiac option
CA$ 119
Senior
Ages 65+
CA$ 149
Dive Into Tofino Whale Watching with Experienced Indigenous Guides!
Explore the incredible biodiversity of Vancouver Island with narration by experienced Indigenous guides. Join our experienced and knowledgeable crew aboard a 12-passenger vessel (zodiac or covered cruiser) for a 2.5-3 hour eco-tour, where you’ll explore Pacific Ocean waters to find gray whales, humpback whales and occasionally transient orcas.
You may spot whales, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds including bald eagles, murrelets and tufted puffins!
In addition to whale watching in Tofino and learning about the wildlife that inhabit this region, our guides will also share stories passed down by many generations about Ahousaht haḥuułii (territorial lands, waters) and the historical and cultural significance of the areas that will be explored.
Ahousaht local guides on our Tofino Whale Watching Tours
Ahous Adventures is an eco and cultural adventure tour company owned and operated by the Ahousaht Nation, that offers an exciting variety of excursions within Ahousaht haḥuułii (territorial lands, waters and culture) including tours to Hot Springs Cove, Whale Watching tours Tofino, bear watching.
Ahous Adventures invites visitors to explore Ahousaht territories through the lens of the people who have lived on and stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial. Visitors will learn about Ahousaht’s Indigenous culture, language, history and storytelling. We believe by openly sharing Ahousaht knowledge, locals and visitors can deeply connect with the true spirit of this remarkable ecosystem. We hope our guests will feel called to honor the sacredness of the territories and seek to experience a guest-host relationship that is rooted in traditional Ahousaht values of respect and reciprocity. Visitors can offer the gifts of openness, patience and respect to Ahousaht in return.
What’s included for Whale Watching in Tofino
- All vessels comply with Transport Canada guidelines
- All safety & floatation equipment is provided in accordance with Transport Canada safety requirements.
- Please note: Our vessels are not equipped with washroom facilities. We recommend guests use the onshore restrooms prior to departure for their comfort during the tour.
We did two tours with Ahous Adventures. On the first day we went Whale watching and were lucky enough to find a pod of transient orcas. We also encountered grey whales seals and sea lions. Our skipper was excellent and was very knowledgeable and just as excited to find the orcas as we were. The second trip was the next day to look for bears. It was a very misty and foggy day but our skipper did his best to find us some wildlife, managing to find just one bear but lots of sea otters. Both tours were in an enclosed vessel rather than an open air rib which worked better for us. The onshore team at the HQ were friendly and made us feel very welcome. There is a small coffee shop within the meeting point as well as a couple of restrooms. Be careful about parking as the limited number of Ahous spaces fill up quickly and on street parking is available but needs paying for as the parking wardens vigorously enforce both payment and violation such as parking on the wrong side of the road.
– Kettering20, TripAdvisor
We participated in a Whale Watching Tour on Sept.10th and it was the best experience I had thanks to the guide Cole. I was very impressed by the guide's dedication. He proved to have a talent to maintain the right balance of engaging with the tourists and answering all our questions passionately on the one hand and just let us enjoy and observe the whales in silence on the other hand. This experience was worth all my time and money. I participated in a lot of tours in my life and I've never written a review before but I want to express my thanks to Cole to have made this experience so beautiful and special. Thank you.
– Theresa H, TripAdvisor
This family of four was very impressed with our 3-hour Zodiac whale watching tour with Ahous. We saw grey whales, sea lions, sea otters and porpoises and got fully immersed in the intense beauty of the scenery in the inlets and ocean near Tofino. And the Zodiac ride was an experience in itself - none of us had ever been so fast over water! Richard our guide was very knowledgeable and gave a First Nations perspective that helped us appreciate what we were experiencing even more, Highly recommended.
– Paul W, TripAdvisor🐋 Whale Watching Tour FAQs
(See general FAQs for info on wildlife sighting guarantees, zodiac info, and more.)
🌊 General FAQs (Applies to All Tours)
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Yes, our tours run rain or shine. We offer both covered vessels and open-air zodiac boats, so you can choose how you’d like to experience the adventure. Wildlife remains active in the rain, and our guides are trained to ensure a safe, comfortable journey. We closely monitor weather and sea conditions and will only cancel if safety is compromised. In that case, we’ll offer a full refund or the opportunity to reschedule.
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This is for safety reasons. All guests must be properly fitted into floatation suits, which is only possible above a certain height. These suits are essential in case of emergency.
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Nature doesn’t offer guarantees, but our guides work with up-to-date knowledge of animal behavior, migration, and feeding patterns. We also collaborate with other operators to share sightings. Historically, we’ve had a 95% success rate for viewings.
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Most tours require a minimum of four guests to confirm. During peak season (mid-June to mid-September), this is rarely an issue. In slower months, some departures may not be available. Booking early increases the likelihood of your tour being confirmed.
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Arriving early helps ensure an on-time departure and a full experience. You’ll have time to find parking, complete any waivers or outstanding payments, use the restrooms, and even grab a coffee before heading out.
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Absolutely. Our guides welcome questions. Each has a personal relationship with the cultural knowledge they carry, and stories may vary from one guide to another. That’s part of what makes each tour unique.
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There’s always a chance of sea spray, especially on the zodiac. Storage compartments are available under the seats to help keep belongings dry. If you’re bringing valuables, we recommend securing them or packing them in a waterproof bag.
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Yes, we offer discounts for groups of five or more. Contact our office directly for details.
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Yes! We offer private charters for bear and whale watching, trips to Hot Springs Cove, and fully customized experiences. These are priced hourly with a two-hour minimum. Contact us to create your ideal tour.
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Yes. If you book a second tour during checkout or after experiencing your first, you’ll receive a multi-tour discount. Just let us know!
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Infants only require payment of the stewardship fee and fuel surcharge. They must be included on our passenger manifest as required by Transport Canada, and count toward the 12-passenger limit. Please notify us in advance if you’re traveling with an infant.
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Yes. Present your Status Card in person at our office to receive a 20% discount on tours and merchandise.
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Yes, we keep a sightings calendar in our office to help monitor patterns and share insights about local wildlife activity.