Quick Details
Starting in April once the Black Bears start to emerge from their winter dens, we depart daily at low tide to travel through Barkley Sound along the rocky coastline as the bears roam out of the rainforest and onto the shores to forage for food. Abundant in Barkley 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 Sea Lions, Seals, Eagles, and more in their natural habitat. Throughout your tour, our informative and personable crew will keep you entertained with interesting and fun facts about wildlife and the surrounding area.
Travel in the comfort of one of our cabin cruisers, the Pacific Springs or Eagle 44.
Some features of the Pacific Springs and Eagle 44 include:
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.
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:
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 into October when the bears are out and about feeding and raising their young, offering us plenty of great opportunities to be in their presence.
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 calmer waters.
How long will the tour be?
Our bear tours are between 2.5-3 hours in length. The length of the tour is dependent on multiple variables including sea conditions and the locations of the various wildlife we see on our tours. Please note that every tour has an allotted time slot of 3-hours to allow you to plan for the maximum amount of time spent on your tour.
Read more FAQ here
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.
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 Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) to each individual.
Please read & understand our Covid-19 Safety Pledge & Updates before booking your tour.
Waivers
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 fees on this page, all bookings will have the additional fees added at checkout:
-5% GST
-6% Booking Fees (online only)
-$3 Research, Rescue & Education Fee (per person)
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 Cabin Cruiser vessels 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 (Tofino), 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.
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
