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Wildlife & Boat Charters: Tofino Bear Watching Zodiac Tour - Victoria

Wildlife & Boat Charters: Tofino Bear Watching Zodiac Tour

Tofino

Difficulty

Duration

Fitness Level

Overview

Experience the thrill of spotting Black Bears and marine life on this exhilarating Zodiac tour through Clayoquot Sound. Perfect for wildlife lovers seeking a dynamic adventure along Vancouver Island’s rugged coast.

Tofino, British Columbia

Tofino Bear Watching - Zodiac Tour

2.5-3 Hours • Thrilling Adventure Tour •

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About This Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Clayoquot Sound, where you’ll search for Black Bears and their cubs along the breathtaking rainforest shoreline. Experience the thrill of a fast-paced Zodiac ride while spotting seals, porpoises, and eagles. With a high success rate for sightings, this tour promises excitement and memorable wildlife encounters.

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.

Duration

Approximately 2.5-3 Hours

Tour length varies depending on sightings, weather, skipper discretion, and other factors.

About

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 with their cubs, 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 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.

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 floatation suits, gloves and toques (beanies) provided
  • Emergency Marine toilet

NOTE: While Zodiacs are a fun way to experience a whale 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 or neck problems, osteoporosis, incontinence or recent surgery. Anyone under the height of 4'8" (142cm) is also unable to join our Zodiac tours.

Raincheck Guarantee

With almost 40 years of wildlife viewing experience, we know where and how to find bears for you. We have a High 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.

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 to get fitted with a protective floatation suit and also be briefed by our skippers on safety procedures.

Adventure Tips

Dress for the weather

Wear layers and waterproof gear as conditions can change quickly on the water.

Bring binoculars

Enhance your wildlife viewing with binoculars for distant sightings.

Arrive early

Check in at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure for safety briefings.

Protect your belongings

Secure cameras and valuables in waterproof containers to avoid water damage.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Sea otters
  • Raccoons

History

Clayoquot Sound has been a vital part of Indigenous Coast Salish territories for centuries, with rich cultural stories tied to its waterways.

Conservation

The tour supports local conservation efforts by promoting awareness of coastal ecosystems and responsible wildlife viewing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Waterproof jacket

Essential

Protection against rain and sea spray is necessary for comfort during the ride.

all specific

Hat and sunglasses

Essential

Shade your eyes from the sun and keep glare off the water.

summer specific

Camera with waterproof case

Capture wildlife moments without risking water damage.

all specific

Binoculars

Enhance distant wildlife viewing for a better experience.

all specific