- Family Friendly
- 6-6.5 hours
- Ages 3+
- Tofino
Come aboard one of our cabin cruiser vessels and enjoy a fun and relaxing tour to Hot Springs Cove where you can hike a beautiful rainforest trail before soaking in the natural hot spring pools.
Quick Details
Fall & Winter Nature Tour in Tofino
Throughout our late fall and winter season, we still love to get on the water with you to show you what our unique ecosystems are like at these times of the year. These tours will often travel through our calm and protected inlets, away from the stormy open ocean, allowing for a comfortable and beautiful boat ride. If the sea is calm, we will occasionally venture out to the open ocean to show you the rugged coastline and the wildlife that populates those areas.
Wildlife sightings on these tours will vary day-to-day but can feature a variety of whales, birds, sea otters, sea lions, seals, and more. We’ll also point out the important history of our surroundings throughout the duration of the tour, giving you lots of insight into Tofino & Clayoquot Sound.
*Note: This tour runs from November through February*
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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:
- Full commentary by your skipper
- Indoor heated seating
- Open rear deck for wildlife & landscape viewing
- Marine toilet
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While we love sharing the experience of watching whales 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 closer than 100 metres to all whales with the exception of Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales which we do not approach closer than 200 metres. While we do not approach closer than the noted distances, occasionally, while our vessels are turned off, the whales get curious and approach our vessels. At this point, we will retreat to the noted distances when it is safe to do so.
Be sure to bring binoculars for close-up views of these amazing marine mammals that we may see on your tour.
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What will I see on a nature tour?
Every day and every tour throughout our fall & winter seasons are unique. This means the wildlife sightings will vary from tour-to-tour. It’s possible you will see some of the following wildlife: whales, seals, sea otters, sea lions, eagles & other birds, porpoise and more! You will also be treated to the stunning landscapes of Clayoquot Sound throughout the duration of your tour which can often make you feel like you’re living in a dream.
What if I don’t see wildlife on my tour?
Unlike our dedicated whale or bear watching tours, we do not offer a raincheck ticket if you do not see wildlife on your nature tour. While you may not see a whale or bear, we should be able to show you other wildlife throughout Clayoquot Sound’s diverse ecosystem.
What should I bring on my tour?
We recommend that you dress in warm layered clothing for all our tours. Keep in mind that during the winter months Tofino experiences heavy amounts of rainfall at times, so bring your rain gear. Also recommended are a camera, gloves, hat, binoculars, and most importantly – your sense of adventure!
Do I need to worry about seasickness?
Our nature tours will primarily travel to the sheltered inlets around Clayoquot Sound which mean you should not have to worry about seasickness. On occasion, if the weather permits, we may travel to the open coastline in search of wildlife. It’s at these times where the vessel may rock side-to-side with the ocean’s swell which can cause sea sickness on occasion. If you are prone to motion sickness while in a car or have experienced seasickness in the past, we recommend being prepared by visiting a pharmacy to discuss the best option for you. Fortunately, there are many options to reduce the risk of becoming seasick. We recommend taking any over-the-counter seasickness remedies a few hours prior to your departure to allow you to see the best results.
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Our Clayoquot Sound Nature Tour has 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.
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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.
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Please read & understand our Covid-19 Safety Pledge & Updates before booking your tour.
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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)
Raincheck Guarantee
Please note, that unlike our whale and bear watching tours, we do not have a raincheck guarantee for our Clayoquot Sound Nature Tour.
Minimum Passengers Required
Please note that we do require a minimum of 4 passengers to confirm a departure. If we do not have 4 or more passengers on a tour we will attempt to reschedule for another day or refund your purchase.