bear watching tour tofino

bear watching tours in tofino

Multiple Daily Departures 2 — 2.5 hours

Our Tofino bear watching tours begin with a relaxing 30-minute boat ride from Tofino through tranquil and sheltered inside passages by Meares Island, Fortune Channel or Tofino Inlet.

The black bears living in this West Coast region are sub- species with webbed paws that help them swim in the waters. After emerging from their winter rest, the black bears need to feed on the shorelines all spring, summer and fall. Often the best times to see these beautiful creatures are at low tide and cooler periods of the day. Enjoy your morning coffee or tea and the fresh air of the Clayoquot Sound as you marvel at the sight of the black bears turning over rocks and boulders in search of crab and other food.

Bear watching tours around Tofino often do not end just at the black bear. It is also common to see other wildlife in Tofino including:

• Bald Eagles
• California Sea Lions
• Harbour Seals
• Harbour Porpoise

BEAR WATCHING TOUR TIMES

April 1 — October 31 Daily departures at low tide

BEAR TOUR DURATION

2 — 2.5 hours ‍

Tofino Bear Watching Tours: What to Expect

On a bear watching tour in Tofino, BC, you are most likely to experience viewing black bears in their natural habitat. Our tours typically take place in the Tofino Harbour and surrounding area, where the bears come out to forage for food along the shoreline during low tide. Coastal bears have a unique omnivore diet eating both seasonal berries and shell fish.

With our covered and heated wildlife watching boats the experience of observing bears in their natural habitat can be as comfortable as it is exciting. You may see the bears digging for clams or fishing for salmon, playing, or simply lounging on the rocks, all with excellent viewpoints for photography from our 360 degree viewing deck.

Many guests round out their coastal experience with a Whale Tour when visiting Tofino. For viewing wildlife that lives on land or sea, West Coast Aquatic Safaris has your covered.

more Tofino wildlife tours

Whale tours —, hot springs tours —.

Our bear watching excursions begin with a relaxing 30-minute boat ride from Tofino through tranquil and sheltered inside passages by Meares Island, Fortune Channel or Tofino Inlet.

The black bears living in this region are sub- species with webbed paws that helps them swim in the waters. After emerging from their winter rest, the black bears need to feed on the shorelines all spring, summer and fall. Often the best times to see these beautiful creatures is at low tide and cooler periods of the day. Enjoy your morning coffee or tea and the fresh air of the Clayoquot Sound as you marvel at the sight of the black bears turning over rocks and boulders in search of crab and other food.

These journeys often do not end just at the black bear. It is also common to see other wildlife including:

TOUR DURATION

Hot springs cove —, accessibility.

© Copyright 2024 West Coast Aquatic Safaris, Tofino, BC, Canada All rights reserved —  Privacy 1-250-725-9227

BOOKING POLICY | CAREERS | FAQs Agent/Resellers Login

• Whale Watching
• Bear Watching
• Hot Springs Cove
• Seasonal Tours
• Bird Watching
• Cultural Tours
• Chartered Tours Tofino
• Accessible Tours
• Gray Whales
• Humpback Whales
• Black Bears
• Harbour Porpoises
• About Tofino
• +1.250.725.9227

Booking Policy

Agents/Resellers Login

• Gatherings & Events
• NAAʔUU Tla-o-qui-aht Cultural Experience
• Sea of Lights
• Stretch, Surf & Sauna Retreat

• Book Accommodation
• Book an Adventure

Bear Watching

Traverse along the inlet waters of Clayoquot Sound—minutes from the dock— and track bears as they scavenge for rock crab in their natural habitat. Riding in open-concept boats gives you the best possible opportunity for sighting bears, and our knowledgeable guides are the resource for all your questions. This tour stays in the inlet, so waters will be flat and calm. Great for all ages! Keep your eyes open—you’ll spot so much more than bears alone.

Please note, the Zodiac boat is not suitable for children under 145cm or pregnant women.

Fun Fact: Black bears hunker down to hibernate all winter long. This tour is only available May – October.

• Adults $129
• Senior + Youth $119
• Children (3-12) $109
• *Subject to taxes and fees

Daily Tours Schedule

• subject to low tide
• Fish for the Future 1% per person
• Tribal Park Allies 1% per person
• Fuel Surcharge $5.50 per person

Bear Watching

You are here: Tofino > Bear Watching

Season: April to October

The West Coast of Vancouver Island is a rugged and undeveloped corner of the world. Watch Black Bears from the safety of a tour boat as they come to feed along the coastline at low tide.

Sort By: Name

ADVENTURE TOFINO

Wildlife tours.

We are looking forward to seeing you this year! For any tours in May and June get a $10 discount per person with coupon code: spring2024  

Rated as Tofino's #1 Tour Operator on Tripadvisor

come to see these giant whales!

Calm waters, beautiful scenery!

informative, fun and always on the lookout !!

We are a small family owned company which offers personalized tours in smaller groups of maximal 12 passengers for an unforgettable wildlife experience! With our two open Zodiacs you will experience our whale watching, bear watching and hot springs tours with an open panoramic view which is great to watch the animals, take good pictures and take in the stunning sights of the area surrounding Tofino. 

One of our experienced  guides  will take you out on the water to show you the wonderful nature and wildlife out there. They will be happy to share their knowledge with you. With their passion and respect for the wildlife and nature they will show you the beauty which the waters around Tofino have to offer. 

All our tours are operated with our open Zodiacs and passengers are equipped with full body Mustang Survival Suits for their safety and comfort. For windy or/and rainy days we also provide additional rain jackets as well as gloves and toques for colder days. 

Come with us and enjoy a scenic boat ride on the calm waters of the beautiful Clayoquot Sound Inlets to watch the black bears moving rocks to feed on crabs and other shellfish.

Join us on an adventurous boat-ride out on the Pacific Ocean in search for the whales. You may also get to see other wildlife along the way such as sea lions, seals, sea otters and bald eagles.

Relax in the hot pools of the remote Hot Springs Cove and walk through the majestic rainforest with its big trees and ancient plants. During the 1.5 hour boat ride you get the chance of watching wildlife and enjoy a beautiful scenery.

Please find more information about our whale watch, bear watch and hot springs tours  on the following pages and we look forward to welcome you on board soon!

Meet The Guides

Captain & Owner Jens Kalwa

Growing up on the East Coast of Vancouver Island and on the water since he was 13 years old, Jens knows the ocean like the back of his hand. "learning from my father how to drive boats, catch fish and behave around ocean wildlife, was the start to my big interest in everything that involved the ocean. It became my passion to be in or on the water wether it was surfing and getting to know the changes of ocean swells and tides or being on the boat to observe marine wildlife". He made his passion to his Career in the year of 2007 when he moved to Tofino and started Adventure Tofino Wildlife Tours. With so many larger tour operators already established in Tofino, my goal was to provide a different wildlife experience for my guests, tours in smaller groups and with a more personal touch. "Right from the start I received great support. Friends which already worked in Tofino as tour guides would share their knowledge with me and people who liked what I was offering would sent their guests my way. This was a very positive start and I am very thankful for that".

Now with two boats in operation and with the support of a small team of great people, I am excited that together we can let people from all over the world be part of this adventure."

Captain Jeffrey Warden

Jeff joined our team in 2018 after guiding tours in Tofino's waters since 2016. Jeff is a real adventurer with a great personality and a huge love for the ocean and  wildlife.

When you are on a tour with Jeff and you listen to how he talks about the animals, with passion and in his deep and calm voice, you just don't want to stop listening!

 His love for the ocean makes him want to be on, in and above it. He loves scuba diving,  flying airplanes and skydiving. 

When Jeff is not on the water he is in 10000ft hight skydiving over Long beach and spotting whales from up there as a Tandem Instructor from Point Break Skydiving in Tofino.

Captain Jordan Koroll

Jordan was born and raised in a beautiful small lakeside town in Central Ontario, Canada. From an early age, watersports were an avid passion of his and through his travels wildlife became a great focus in his life. He paired the two by studying an Honors Bachelor of Health Sciences with a specialization in mammalian anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. 

His inquisitive nature and deep passion for both the cultural and natural history of many areas of the world have allowed him to guide in some incredible places. Bouncing from Canada’s Sub-Arctic with the King of the North’s beautiful polar bears, to the ends of the earth guiding kayak expeditions around the Antarctic continent. Jordan always looks forward to heading back to BC’s beautiful West Coast for the summer seasons. The Pacific Northwest wildlife draws him back time and time again, but when he is not skippering on the water you can find him running along the local trails, enjoying a nice early morning paddle, or sipping a delicious cup of coffee in town. 

Our two boats "Azonic" and "Guardian 2" which we use for all of our tours are open 26 ft Zodiacs which take up to 12 passengers. 

Whale Watching Tofino, Bear Watching Tofino, Hot Springs Tours Tofino

Adventure Tofino - Wildlife Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Adventure Tofino - Wildlife Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

AHOUS ADVENTURES

Eco-cultural adventure tours - tofino.

Owned and Operated by the Ahousaht Nation

• Our Signature Experience

Tofino Hot Springs Eco-Tour

Join Ahous Adventures for a memorable eco-tour to the natural hot springs on Vancouver Island at Hot Springs Cove. You’ll experience the power of geothermal energy in the midst of pristine, temperate rainforest alongside the Pacific Ocean. Book your tour online today!

• User Ages 2+
• Hour Glass 6 Hours

Whale Watching and Bear Watching

• User All ages
• Hour Glass 3 Hours

Tofino Whale Watching

The west coast of Vancouver Island is renowned for its incredible biodiversity. Join our experienced and knowledgeable crew while we explore the Pacific Ocean waters to find gray whales, humpback whales and occasionally transient orcas. Book your whale watching in Tofino online today!

Tofino Bear Watching

Observe black bears in their natural habitat as you journey through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound, a pristine wilderness that has been home to the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations for thousands of years. Book your black bear tour online today!

Explore Ahousaht Territories Through the Lens of the Ahousaht Nation

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 Tofino tours to Hot Springs Cove, whale watching, and 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.  On our Tofino excursions 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.

Ready to Book Your Tofino Adventures?

Tofino Bear Watching

Adventure tours & things to do in tofino bc, tofino bear watching tours.

Black Bear watching in Tofino can be done during low tide when the Bears are searching the shoreline of Meares Island for Clams and Crabs. Your Tour will take you to the calm inlets of Clayoquot Sound. 

Bear Watching Tours are only offered in Summer time, as in Winter the Black Bears go into hibernation after they feast on the Salmon run in October.  Daily departure times of Bear Tours vary according to the tide schedule and y ou'll also have a chance to see seals, river otters, blue herons, eagles and other species of wildlife. 

Bear Watching Adventure Tours in Tofino BC.  Vancouver Island has the perfect Coastline for Bear viewing from a boat, it's very impressive to watch them rumble through the rocks on the beach searching for food. NEW ! Black Bear Kayaking now offers Bear Tours by Kayak.

Tofino bear WATCHING tours

Adventure tofino wildlife tours.

Whale / Bear Watching and Hot Springs Adventure Tours on a Zodiac boat

 321 Main Street, Tofino BC

  250-725-2895

 [email protected]

  AdventureTofino.com

TOFINO WATER TAXI

Adventure Tours and water taxi service out of Tofino. Bear Watching Tours

750 Campbell Street, Tofino BC

1-250-725-8844   Toll Free: 1866-794-2537

[email protected]

TofinoWaterTaxi.com

JAMIE'S WHALING STATION

Tofino's original Whale Watching Tour Company, Tours depart from Tofino and Ucluelet BC.

606 Campbell Street, Tofino BC

250-725-3919

[email protected]

JamiesWhaling.com 

CLAYOQUOT WILD CHARTERS

Whale Watching in Tofino with local expert First Nations Tofino Tour Guides .

316 Main Street, Tofino BC

250-266-0543

clayoquotwild.com

Browning pass charters

Tour Guide Michael White will take you on a relaxed Bear Watching adventure in Clayoquot Sound.

390 Main Street, Tofino BC

250-735-3435

[email protected]

browningpass.com

BLACK BEAR KAYAKING

Tofino Bear Watching from a Kayak. These Bear Tours start on our shuttle boat and when we spot Bears we unload the Kayaks.

Main Street, Tofino BC

REMOTE PASSAGES MARINE EXCURSIONS

Whale Watching excursions and day trips to Hot Springs Cove.

51 Wharf Street, Tofino BC

TOFINO TOURS

Hot springs.

Take a day trip to Hot Springs Cove by boat or float plane.

Stand up Paddle Boarding Tours on the Tofino inlet or SUP Surf the Pacific waves.

kayaking  tours

Clayoquot Sound is a world famous Kayaking destination.

Tofino fishing

Tofino Fishing Charters for half, full or multiple day fishing trips.

Whale Watching

Tofino is the place on Vancouver Island to go on a Whale Watching Adventure. See Gray Whales, Orcas and Humpbacks.

Hike the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island or climb Lone Cone Mountain.

• Weather + Surf
• Work in Tofino

The Whale Centre

• 250.725.2132
• TF: 1.888.474.2288

Social Media

•   @thewhalecentre
•   @tofinowhalecentre

WHALE WATCHING. BEAR WATCHING. HOT SPRINGS TOURS 

THE WHALE CENTRE  located in Tofino, British Columbia has offered Whale Watching, Bear Watching, Bird Watching and Hot Springs Tours in Clayoquot Sound to the eco-minded explorer for over 33 years. Family owned and operated! Our eco adventure tours combine a learning atmosphere with the excitement of personal encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat. You will have the opportunity to see Grey Whales, Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Sea Otters, Seals, Sea Lions, Wolves, Black Bears, Eagles and many other local species. Our friendly and experienced staff is committed to providing you with an exceptional wildlife experience and greater understanding of the local environment. Both Covered Cabin Cruiser and Open Boston Whaler Boat options available. Small personal tour groups, never more than 12 passengers on our boats. Marine Wildlife Photography Specialists.  Book your tour online!

Unlucky tour? Join us again using our WHALE & BEAR GUARANTEE for a complimentary Whale Watching or Bear Watching Tour to bring your dreams of seeing these magnificent animals come to life.

• WHALE WATCHING TOURS
• BEAR WATCHING TOURS
• HOT SPRINGS COVE TOURS
• SEA TO SKY HOT SPRINGS TOURS
• BIRD WATCHING TOURS 
• PRIVATE TOURS

Additional Information

Please explore our website for special rates and discounts at The Whale Centre!  Discounts on groups of 8 or more.

Tofino Zodiac Bear Watching

Quick Details

• Map Marker Location: Tofino
• Hour Glass Duration: 2-2.5 hours
• Info Height Requirement: Must be at least 4'8" / 142cm in height to ride on the Zodiac
• Info Availability: Please note that our Zodiac Bear Watching Tours in Tofino operate on a limited basis.

Zodiac Bear Watching in Tofino

If you’re looking to experience a fast-paced and exciting excursion in search of black bears, join us on one of our fast-paced Zodiac tours in the inlet waters of Clayoquot Sound.

Starting in April once the  Black Bears  start to emerge from their winter dens, we depart daily at low tide to travel through Browning Pass to the rocky coastline of Fortune Channel as the bears roam out of the rainforest and onto the shores to forage for food. Abundant in Clayoquot Sound,  Black Bears  are often seen turning massive rocks in search of crabs and clams.

Cruising through these scenic passageways allows for many opportunities to view other wildlife like  Seals, Porpoises, Eagles, Herons  and more. Throughout your tour, our informative and personable crew will keep you entertained with interesting and fun facts about wildlife and the surrounding area.

• Chevron down Our Zodiacs

Our  Zodiacs  offer a chance to experience the thrill of a fast-paced boat ride on our way to view the diverse amount of wildlife along our coastline. Some of the features of our Zodiacs include:

• 12-passenger vessels
• Comfortable forward-facing seats
• Protective flotation suits, gloves, and toques (beanies) provided
• Emergency marine toilet

*Zodiac Warning* – PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING THIS TOUR

NOTE: While Zodiacs are a fun way to experience a bear watching tour, they’re not suitable for everyone. We do not recommend this tour to anyone with a history of serious medical conditions. These include, but are not limited to, anyone who is pregnant, those with back, neck or knee problems, osteoporosis, incontinence, recent surgery or limited mobility. Anyone under the height of 4’8″ (142cm) is also unable to join our Zodiac tours. If you have any questions, please reach out prior to booking.

• Chevron down Wildlife Viewing Guidelines & Expectations

While we love sharing the experience of watching bears and other wildlife with our guests, we also follow guidelines to ensure we’re not encroaching on or disturbing the wildlife in its natural habitat.

On our bear watching tours, we aim to keep a safe and respectful distance from the bears to ensure that they never feel threatened by our presence or that we affect their behaviour in any way.

• Chevron down Raincheck Guarantee

With over 40 years  of experience, we know where and how to find bears for you. We have a  95% Sightings Success Rate  in finding bears on our tours.

If you join us on a Bear Watching tour and do not see a bear, we will provide you with a  Raincheck Ticket , allowing you to join us on another tour –  FREE  of charge!

Guests using a Raincheck Ticket for Bear Watching tours:

• Are able to join tours aboard our large cruiser vessels, or our open zodiac vessels, from either Tofino or Ucluelet.
• Are on a stand-by basis, dependent on capacity levels.
• Are able to confirm seats 60 minutes prior to departure.
• Can not use a Raincheck Ticket for a Whale Watching or Hot Springs Cove tour.
• Chevron down Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of day for a bear watching tour?

On our bear watching tours, we set our departure times according to low tide, as that is when the bears come down to the shoreline to find crabs and other shellfish to feast on.

What is the best time of year for a bear watching tour?

Our bear watching tours run April through October when the bears are out and about feeding and raising their young, offering us plenty of great opportunities to be in their presence.

Can I bring my camera on a Zodiac tour?

You can absolutely bring your camera on your Zodiac tour. We do recommend that you bring a protective bag to help keep your camera equipment dry throughout your tour.

What should I bring on my tour?

We recommend that you dress in warm layered clothing for all our tours. It is always cooler on the water, even in the warm days of summer. Also recommended are a camera, sunscreen, gloves, hat, rain gear (if raining), binoculars, and most importantly – your sense of adventure!

Do I need to worry about seasickness?

You do not have to worry about seasickness on our bear watching tours as we mostly stay in calm, protected inlets.

• Chevron down Cancellation Policy

Our Bear Watching tours have a 24 -hour cancellation policy . If any cancellations are received, including a reduction in the passenger numbers, within 24 hours of the tour departure refunds will not be issued. Any cancellations outside of 24 hours will receive a 100% refund.

• Chevron down Safety

At Jamie’s, the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we have extensive training and vessel maintenance schedules in place and have made significant investments in ensuring we have safety and life-saving equipment on our vessels that not only meet, but exceed Transport Canada standards.

Before each tour, our crew will gather all guests for a safety briefing while also distributing flotation suits to each individual.

• Chevron down Covid-19

Please read & understand our Covid-19 Safety Pledge & Updates  before booking your tour.

• Chevron down Booking Policies & Fees

All tours are subject to the signing of a waiver releasing Jamie’s Whaling Station from liability. Reading, understanding, and accepting the terms of this waiver is necessary in order to take part in any Jamie’s Whaling Station tour. If you are purchasing tickets for other guests, you must ensure that all guests read and sign their own waiver.

Booking Fees

In addition to the listed rates on this page, all bookings will have the additional fees added at checkout:

-$3 Research, Rescue & Education Fee (per person)

-6% Booking Fees (online only)

Price Match Guarantee

At Jamie’s, we’re committed to offering you the best adventure experience at the most affordable price. If you find the same tour offered at a cheaper price we will match that price based on the following conditions…

-proof of the cheaper fare such as a print ad or screenshot

-the tour is identical in destination and length

-the tour price is the listed price before taxes/fees

Minimum Passenger Requirements

Our Zodiacs require a minimum of 4  passengers to confirm the tour. If the tour doesn’t confirm, we will either move your reservation to a different vessel, a different location (Ucluelet), or a different day. We will contact you to let you know if your tour has not been confirmed and to give you alternative options.

• Chevron down Multi-Tour Discount

Book a Whale Watching or Hot Springs Cove tour or even another Bear Watching tour with Jamie’s and receive $15 off per person for every tour after your first tour. Once you book your first tour, you will receive a confirmation email with your own personal discount code to apply to further web bookings.

Restrictions -Can not be combined with any other discounts

I've never heard of a Bear Watching tour until I came to Tofino. I normally get extremely seasick, but it was actually nothing to worry about on this tour. We ended up taking the zodiac and the waters were not rough at all. The whole experience is AWESOME!!! Before we even boarded we saw 3 bald eagles right outside their shop. The ride and scenery were beautiful. We were lucky enough to find a mama bear and her cub and then another bear walking alone. It was breathtaking. I will definitely take this trip again when I come back. I highly highly recommend this trip.

My wife and I booked on to the bear watching trip, which was an amazing experience. Our guide was informative and respectful of the environment and wildlife we came across. The trip was on a Zodiac boat, which allows you to get respectively close to the bears that come down to the beach to feed on crabs. We saw two black bears and a possible third. We saw seals, porpoises, bald eagles on the trip and the scenery of the inlets around Tofino are beautiful in their own right. The team is transparent about the likelihood of seeing these shy creatures at this time of year and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to see bears in the wild (and from a safe distance)!

We enjoyed a fantastic bear watching tour with seven bears and even a baby bear. Very good and experienced captain with good eyes to spot bears. Very well cared for also safety-wise. Very recommendable. Would love to come again.

Related Tours

• Family Friendly
• Hour Glass 2-2.5 hours
• User Ages 3+
• Map Marker Tofino

Tofino Cruiser Bear Watching

Cruise through the calm inlets and pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound in search of Black Bears foraging for food along the stunning shoreline of the rainforest!

• Map Marker Ucluelet

Ucluelet Zodiac Bear Watching

Cruise through the pristine waters of Barkley Sound in search of black bears foraging for food along the stunning shoreline of the rainforest on our open Zodiac boat!

Ucluelet Cabin Cruiser Bear Watching

Cruise through the pristine waters of Barkley Sound in search of black bears foraging for food along the stunning shoreline of the rainforest!