A variety of boat tours are offered at West Coast Aquatic, including whale, bird or bear watching or a hot springs tour. Hop aboard the boat (which offers enclosed areas for chilly days on the water) and get ready to explore the Clayoquot Sound. Witness black bears turning over rocks and boulders searching for food. See bald eagles overhead and sea lions lounging on giant rocks or watch gray whales fatten up as they feed in Tofino’s waters before heading north to Alaska. No matter which tour you choose, you will see an abundance of wildlife. The hot springs tour includes a 90-minute boat ride to the hot springs where you can then explore and soak in the geothermal waters of Hot Springs Cove for several hours and either return by boat or seaplane for even more adventure.

Hours: Tours run at scheduled times daily. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Things to Know/Bring: The length of the tours varies between two to two and half hours for whale or bear watching to more than six hours for the hot springs tour. The tours also vary by season (bear watching runs from April through October, whale watching is March through November and hot springs run from late February to late November). Depending which tour you take, the boats hold either 12 or 36 passengers and offer heated and covered seating as well as outside seating and restrooms onboard. Life jackets and rain jackets with hoods are provided. Bring a camera and binoculars and be prepared for colder temperatures on the water, even in the summer months. Water resistant jackets are recommended as well.

Parking:A small parking lot is available here and limited street parking surrounds the area.