about us

the west coast advantage

Join us aboard WASCO and NANUQ for your Tofino whale watching adventure to view the multiple species of whales feeding in our water; or watch black bears from the safety of our boat. Get off the beaten path and experience eco-tourism that is environmentally responsible, safe, and fun for the whole family!

Tour Tofino and see our wild side with West Coast Aquatic Safaris! Experience eco-tourism that is environmentally responsible, safe and fun for the whole family. The temperate rainforest of the Clayoquot Sound presents the perfect environment for feeding multiple species of birds and animals including marine wildlife.

We wanted to create these curated wildlife tours of Tofino to give you the ultimate West Coast experience. Our Tofino wildlife tours focus on the natural environment without disturbing the ecosystem, giving you a safe viewing experience for whales, harbour sea life, black bears, eagles, and all of the sights of Tofino nature.

as seen in

the boats

wasco

WASCO is our 12-passenger high speed Coastal Cruiser. It was designed to provide guests the opportunity to cruise inside the cabin or outside and with 20 seats onboard there is room for guests to move around throughout the tour.

WASCO was purpose-built in the Pacific Northwest for the specific function of eco-touring these waters. It offers inside seating for all guests in her Heated Cabin with a Restroom on board. There is additional Outdoor Seating available on the upper deck and ample space for guest on our Tofino whale watching adventures to move around throughout the tour without needing to worry about being confined to a single seat. A unique feature is the 360-Degree Walk-Around Decks that circle WASCO so that every guest has a front row view of the wildlife regardless of your height or size.

The name WASCO means Sea Wolf, a prominent sea creature from Haida mythology. It is described as a giant sea monster – half wolf and half killer whale, but for West Coast Aquatic Safaris, WASCO means a First-Class Transport Canada Safety Certified vessel outfitted with a knowledgeable and certified marine crew.

nanuq

NANUQ — Polar Bear in the Inuit language — is our 37-passenger with over 50 Seats throughout the vessel. It is an all Weather Vessel, built and designed with our guests’ experience in mind! Three Viewing Decks with Seating, Inside Seating for all, more available seating than allowable passengers, and a clean Restroom are just a few of the characteristics that help provide an amazing experience. In addition, the catamaran design delivers a fast, efficient and stable journey.

It and its crew are Transport Canada Safety Certified providing a first-class experience. Accessibility for all is a priority for West Coast Aquatic Safaris with a gangway to board NANUQ allowing for wheelchair accessible Tofino whale watching adventures. Not to mention it has a heated cabin with large windows so all can stay warm while enjoying the wildlife, and it is spacious enough to allow guests to move around throughout the trip.

Click the link learn more about NANUQ’s wheelchair accessibility

the features

West Coast Aquatic Safaris invests in your safety and comfort

Our boats are custom built to make sure your comfortable and safe viewing experience. We transport our guests to the wildlife rich environments around Tofino in style. Both Wasco and Nanuq have unique features to keep you warm, dry and engaged. We are recognized for being a leading provider of accesible nature experiences in Canada.