Our covered-panoramic view cruiser, the Stellar Sea, offers the perfect family-friendly setting for viewing sea otters in Clayoquot Sound. It is equipped with large panoramic windows that fully open, as well as a thoughtfully designed seating layout, offering great views for everyone onboard.

Some features of the Stellar Sea include:

Full commentary by trained & certified captain and naturalists
Indoor heated seating
Onboard washroom

Every day and every tour are completely unique. It is important to remember that while we strive to show you as many sea otters as possible, it may not always be possible depending on the movements and feeding habits of sea otters on any given day.

While we love sharing the experience of watching sea otters 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.

Due to government regulations, we do not approach any marine mammals closer than 100 metres so as to not disturb them in their natural habitat. Occasionally these animals will approach our vessels as they do get curious at times.

Be sure to bring binoculars for close-up views of these amazing marine mammals.

With over 40 years of experience, we know where and how to find sea otters for you.

If you join us on a Sea Otter Watching tour and do not see a sea otter, 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 Sea Otter Watching tours:
– Are on a stand-by basis, dependent on capacity levels.
– Are able to confirm seats 60 minutes prior to departure.
– As an alternative, can join a Whale Watching tour in Tofino for 75% off the listed price. Sea otters are commonly seen on whale watching tours from Tofino.
– Can not use a Raincheck Ticket for a Bear Watching or Hot Springs Cove tour.

When is the best time of day to see sea otters?

In our experience, there isn’t any better time of day for sea otter sightings. Sea otters are actively feeding and present throughout the day which gives us lots of opportunities to watch them in their natural habitat.

When is the best time of year for sea otter sightings?

Sea otters are always present along our coastlines but we primarily will see them throughout our main operating season from March through October.

What other wildlife will I see on my tour?

While watching sea otters is the goal of the tour, it’s possible to also see various bird species including bald eagles, seals, sea lions, and potentially whales and bears.

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!

If I booked a Whale or Bear Watching tour, should I go on a Sea Otter Watching Tour?

We will commonly see sea otters on our whale watching tours in Tofino, however, the time spent with them will be less than this dedicated sea otter tour.

Occasionally, on our bear watching tours in Tofino we will sea otters, but again, much less time will be spent with the animals compared to this dedicated sea otter tour.

Do I need to worry about seasickness?

While travelling to see sea otters, we will mostly be sticking to the calmer waters where we often find sea otters. This greatly reduces the chances of seasickness. However, if you are prone to motion sickness, you may wish to prepare for the tour by taking an over-the-counter seasickness remedy as a precaution before arriving for your tour.

How long will the tour be?

Our Sea Otter Watching tours are between 1.5-2 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 2 hours to allow you to plan for the maximum amount of time spent on your tour. All guests should arrive 30 minutes prior to departure to check in and allow for an additional 15-30 minutes upon the completion of the tour to disembark, use the washrooms and visit the gift shops. Total time spent with Jamie’s for Sea Otter Watching tours will vary between 2.5-3 hours.

Our Sea Otter 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.

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

-5% GST

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

-6% Booking Fees (online only)

Minimum Passenger Requirements

The Stellar Sea requires a minimum of 6 passengers to confirm the tour. If the tour doesn’t confirm, we will contact you to let you know if your tour has not been confirmed and to give you alternative options.

When you book more than one tour with Jamie’s you will receive $15 off per person for every tour after your first tour. Once you book your first tour, email our team to book the next tour using the discount. Include the date, time, location and vessel you wish to go out on.