gray whales
The Grey Whale, also known as Devilfish, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly; the longest annual migration of any mammal! Named aptly for its dark grey colour, grey whales are also covered in a white and orange mottling which are barnacles and whale lice. Barnacles hitch a ride, feeding on plankton and food scraps while whale lice are a crustacean that eat algae and whale skin. Gray whales are one of Tofino’s most beautiful wildlife sights. Book your Tofino whale watching trip today.
gray whales
Male & Female | 36,000 kg (Adult), 14 – 15 m
The Grey Whale, also known as Devilfish, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly; the longest annual migration of any mammal! Named aptly for its dark grey colour, grey whales are also covered in a white and orange mottling which are barnacles and whale lice. Barnacles hitch a ride, feeding on plankton and food scraps while whale lice are a crustacean that eat algae and whale skin. Gray whales are one of Tofino’s most beautiful wildlife sights. Book your Tofino whale watching trip today.
humpback whales
Male | 30,000 kg (Adult), 13 – 14 m
Female | 30,000 kg (Adult), 15 – 16 m
Another whale found in the West Coast waters of Tofino is a humpback whale. Humpbacks have a distinctive shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobby head. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Found in oceans and seas around the world, Humpbacks typically migrate up to 25,000 km each year. They feed in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth when they fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Book your Tofino whale watching adventure for a chance to see one of these majestic whales.
humpback whales
Male | 30,000 kg (Adult), 13 – 14 m
Female | 30,000 kg (Adult), 15 – 16 m
Another whale found in the West Coast waters of Tofino is a humpback whale. Humpbacks have a distinctive shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobby head. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Found in oceans and seas around the world, Humpbacks typically migrate up to 25,000 km each year. They feed in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth when they fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Book your Tofino whale watching adventure for a chance to see one of these majestic whales.
orcas
Male | 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), 6 – 8 m
Female | 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult), 5 – 7 m
The killer whale or orca (Orcinus Orca) is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Orcas can be individually identified! They all have a white or grey marking behind their dorsal fin known as a saddle patch that is unique to each orca. They also have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and dolphins. Tofino is home to many orca whales. Interested in seeing an orca whale up close and personal? Book a Tofino whale tour today.
orcas
Male | 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), 6 – 8 m
Female | 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult), 5 – 7 m
The killer whale or orca (Orcinus Orca) is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Orcas can be individually identified! They all have a white or grey marking behind their dorsal fin known as a saddle patch that is unique to each orca. They also have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and dolphins. Tofino is home to many orca whales. Interested in seeing an orca whale up close and personal? Book a Tofino whale tour today.
black bears
Male | 80–300 kg
Female | 40–140 kg
Ursus americanus vancouveri, or the Vancouver Island black bear, like to make their den in or under large trees, stumps or logs; they may also be 25 m above ground. Their populations are in abundance due to their access to spawning salmon and lush vegetation; there are approximately 7000 black bears on the island! We offer wildlife tours in Tofino with the chance to see one of these beautiful black bears.
black bears
Male | 80–300 kg
Female | 40–140 kg
Ursus americanus vancouveri, or the Vancouver Island black bear, like to make their den in or under large trees, stumps or logs; they may also be 25 m above ground. Their populations are in abundance due to their access to spawning salmon and lush vegetation; there are approximately 7000 black bears on the island! We offer wildlife tours in Tofino with the chance to see one of these beautiful black bears.
bald eagle
Male & Female | 3 – 6.3 kg (Adult), 1.8 – 2.3 m
Bald eagles are not actually bald. The name derives from an older meaning of the word, “white headed.” The adult is mainly brown with a white head and tail. Ranging from Alaska to the northern border of Mexico, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, the bald eagle is the only eagle found exclusively on the North American continent. During one of our wildlife Tofino tours, you are very likely to see one of these majestic bald eagles.
bald eagle
Male & Female | 3 – 6.3 kg (Adult), 1.8 – 2.3 m
Bald eagles are not actually bald. The name derives from an older meaning of the word, “white headed.” The adult is mainly brown with a white head and tail. Ranging from Alaska to the northern border of Mexico, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, the bald eagle is the only eagle found exclusively on the North American continent. During one of our wildlife Tofino tours, you are very likely to see one of these majestic bald eagles.
sea lion
Male | 350 kg (Adult), 2.4 m
Female | 100 kg (Adult), 1.8 m
Sea lions are not true earless seals. Unlike true seals, they have external ear flaps, proportionately larger fore flippers and pectoral muscles. In Clayoquot Sound, we are fortunate enough to have two types of sea lions to view: Steller sea lions and California sea lions. Steller sea lions are the largest of the eared sea lions and make growling, grumbling noises; whereas, California sea lions are smaller and have a dog-like bark. Discover what it’s like to see a sea lion up close and personal on our Tofino wildlife tour.
sea lion
Male | 350 kg (Adult), 2.4 m
Female | 100 kg (Adult), 1.8 m
Sea lions are not true earless seals. Unlike true seals, they have external ear flaps, proportionately larger fore flippers and pectoral muscles. In Clayoquot Sound, we are fortunate enough to have two types of sea lions to view: Steller sea lions and California sea lions. Steller sea lions are the largest of the eared sea lions and make growling, grumbling noises; whereas, California sea lions are smaller and have a dog-like bark. Discover what it’s like to see a sea lion up close and personal on our Tofino wildlife tour.
sea otters
Male & Female | 1 – 45 kg (Adult), 0.6–1.8 m
Sea otters spend the majority of their life in the ocean and are rarely seen on land; the ocean provides everything they need from food, shelter and an awesome playground! They can be seen often grouped together into a “raft” holding onto each other’s paws to stay together. Isn’t that just the sweetest thing? Enjoy seeing a sea otter from one of our boats on our Tofino whale watching tours.
sea otters
Male & Female | 1 – 45 kg (Adult), 0.6–1.8 m
Sea otters spend the majority of their life in the ocean and are rarely seen on land; the ocean provides everything they need from food, shelter and an awesome playground! They can be seen often grouped together into a “raft” holding onto each other’s paws to stay together. Isn’t that just the sweetest thing? Enjoy seeing a sea otter from one of our boats on our Tofino whale watching tours.
harbour seal
Male & Female | 135 kg (Adult), 1.9 m
Harbour seals, also known as the common seal, are true earless seals as they lack external ear flaps. They are extraordinary divers; capable of reaching depths of 300 metres and holding their breath for up to 25 minutes! Want to enjoy a visit with a harbour seal? Book a Tofino wildlife tour.
harbour seal
Male & Female | 135 kg (Adult), 1.9 m
Harbour seals, also known as the common seal, are true earless seals as they lack external ear flaps. They are extraordinary divers; capable of reaching depths of 300 metres and holding their breath for up to 25 minutes! Want to enjoy a visit with a harbour seal? Book a Tofino wildlife tour.
harbour porpoise
Male & Female | 60–70 kg (Adult), 1.4 – 1.9 m
The harbour porpoise is also nicknamed the puffing porpoise because when it breaks the surface, it is often heard making a sneezing sound. Harbour porpoises are found throughout the temperate coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere and, as the name implies, they stay close to coastal areas or river estuaries.
harbour porpoise
Male & Female | 60–70 kg (Adult), 1.4 – 1.9 m
The harbour porpoise is also nicknamed the puffing porpoise because when it breaks the surface, it is often heard making a sneezing sound. Harbour porpoises are found throughout the temperate coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere and, as the name implies, they stay close to coastal areas or river estuaries.