Nature and outdoors

Tofino Zodiac Bear Watching

Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centres - Tofinodistance not known

! capacity is 12, your group is 16 · $147.34 a child is over your $10 budget

Cost

$147.34 a child

$2357.44 for 16 children

On top of the listed rates, checkout adds 5% GST, a $2 port fee, $1 per person for research, rescue and education, a $5 fuel surcharge, and a 6% booking fee if you book online.

Ages & size

Ages not published

Up to 12 children

Duration

2.5 hours

April to October

Days not published

Book by

Not published

Plan this trip

Fieldy handles all communication and booking for you.

What it actually looks like

Photos from Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centres - Tofino's website

Our note

The height rule rules out most young children, and the site says these zodiac bear trips only run on a limited basis, so do not build a day around one without confirming it is running. The covered boat does the same route with a washroom and a roof.

What the children do

A 2.5 to 3 hour black bear watching trip from Tofino on an open 12 passenger zodiac, departing daily at low tide for Browning Pass and Fortune Channel. Every passenger must be at least 4'8" (142cm) tall and the site does not recommend the tour for anyone pregnant or with back, neck or knee problems, osteoporosis, incontinence, recent surgery or limited mobility. Rates are adults $179.14, youth 13 to 18 $157.94 and children 12 and under $147.34, with a private zodiac for up to 12 people at $2,703. The site states that Zodiac Bear Watching Tours in Tofino operate on a limited basis.

Put on a full body flotation suit, sit strapped into an open boat for a fast ride into calm inlet waters, then sit still and quiet while the boat idles near the shore to watch bears forage.

Good to know

Free parking and washrooms at the Tofino station, and only an emergency toilet on the boat. Availability is limited and the height rule applies, so confirm both before you plan anything.

Sources disagree. Two of their pages disagree about how many toilets are on the big Tofino whale boat. One says two, the other says one. Either way there is a toilet on board, so it only matters if you are bringing a large group of small children.

Washrooms

Depending on what vessel you are travelling on during your tour you may or may not have access to a washroom. Our larger vessels all have washrooms onboard for use. On our smaller vessels including our Zodiacs, we have small marine toilets that are for emergency use only.

Lunch space

Snacks and drinks are allowed on board the Tofino whale watching and sea otter vessels. Food and scented items are not allowed on bear watching tours. The site does not describe an indoor lunch space on shore.

Rain backup

Our tours are Rain or Shine and we ask that you check the forecast prior to arriving for your departure and dress accordingly. On occasion, if the sea conditions are too rough we will cancel or delay our departures.

Strollers

Needs confirmation

Wheelchair access

Needs confirmation

Bus parking

In Tofino, we offer a large parking lot for our guests. This includes parking for RV motorhomes. All parking is FREE with your tour. The site describes guest and RV parking and does not mention bus parking.

Nearby park

Needs confirmation

Restrictions

Anyone under the height of 4'8" (142cm) is also unable to join our Zodiac tours.. We do ask that any guest under the age of 19 travels with a supervising adult.. To ensure the safety for all on board, parents and guardians are responsible for the proper behavior of their children.. No running, jumping, screaming, or climbing railings is permitted.. For our bear watching tours, we ask that you do not bring any food or drinks other than water as bears have a strong sense of smell.. All tours are subject to the signing of a waiver releasing Jamie's Whaling Station from liability.. Hot Springs Cove Day Tour: Ages 0-2 are NOT permitted on tour.. We are happy to welcome certified and trained medical service or guide dogs on board our larger vessels (Lukwa/Stellar Sea). Emotional support or therapy dogs are not permitted on board.

Details checked on 2026-09-20 against the venue’s own pages. Something wrong? , it takes one tap. · Venue page · 250-725-3919