The Canadian province of British Columbia -- famous for scenery-- is a bit confusing for visitors: major city, Vancouver, is on the mainland and completely separate from Vancouver Island, which is as big as Holland, and 286 miles long.
On the west coast of Vancouver Island, the small town of Tofino is a beloved getaway for city-dwellers, a surfing spot, and the launching point for whale-watching tours.
Tofino Whale-Watching
Gray whales migrate past Tofino on their way from Alaska to Mexico in the fall, and back again in spring. However, a number of whales know a good feeding spot when they find one, and stay resident all year long-- so your chances of seeing a whale are just as high in the (warmer, sunnier) summer than during migration-time.
Jamie's Whaling Station is one of several tour companies based in Tofino, and offers trips on several types of crafts. everal types of crafts.
Whale-Watching With Kids - Tips
Naturally, the more your child knows about whales before your whalewatching, the better. Your boat's captain will probably explain the animals' habits, while he tries to guess where they'll surface next. But do try read about whales with your child, before your trip. Tofino shops sell many books.
Whale-watching, it turns out, is often more like "whale-glimpsing": this ain't Seaworld, and oftens patience and a quick eye are needed to catch sight of cetaceans in the wild.
Tips for whalewatching with young kids:
- chose an enclosed boat, rather than, for example, a zippy-looking open-air zodiac. If the weather blusters, you'll have shelter; also, small kids can move around the boat; and hot chocolate and snacks are available.
- make sure your child understands that whales can't be seen on demand, like in an aquarium. It's possible you won't see a whale at all; and even when you do, glimpses can be brief.
- bring along snacks and drinks in a backpack you can keep with you, topside.
- even in summer, bring layers of clothes in case of wind or rain.
- in April, we wore raincoats, fleece tops, waterproof pants, toques, and gloves.
- it's extremely hard to snap a photo of a surfacing whale with a camera: a video recorder is preferable.
Tofino Whale-watching: Bottom Line
It's indeed a thrill when you hear the gasp of air as these huge mammals surface to breathe, just like we do. And if, unfortunately, you don't spot a whale during your trip, most whalewatching companies offer some sort of second chance-- ask before your trip.There are several places to stay beach-side, near Tofino: continue to family-friendly Pacific Sands Resorts
