Fieldy handles all communication and booking for you.
What it actually looks like
Photos from Tofino Sea Kayaking's website
Our note
Every child under 16 has to share a double with an adult, so a group of nine year olds needs one adult per child, and that drives what you pay. On a private tour a guide can take a child if the adults do not divide evenly, which is not possible on a public tour, so say so when you call. Their own pages disagree about the upper age for a family tour, so settle it on the phone.
What the children do
Any of the four day tours can be booked privately for one group, and the private family version is the only offering on the site that takes children under 13. Published private prices are $432 for up to 6 people and $864 for up to 12 on the 2.5 hour Harbour Island tour, $692 and $1384 on the 4 hour West Coaster, $778 and $1556 on the 4.5 hour Big Tree Trail, and $864 and $1728 on the 5 hour Hidden Places. The pricing table says 5% tax and a 1.5% Tribal Park fee are not included. Group sizing is one guide to six people, or two guides to twelve.
They paddle in a double kayak with an adult, at a slower pace with more stops than the public tours, over kelp forests and along the shorelines, reaching out to grab kelp and things floating in the water and looking at the creatures on the tidal rocks. Much of the paddling ends up being done by the adult in the back.
Good to know
The price is for the whole group rather than per child, and tax and the tribal park fee sit on top of it. Nothing about washrooms, a place to eat or shelter from the weather is published, and there is no word on bus parking, so ask about all of it when you book.
Sources disagree. Their own pages give two different top ages for a family tour, 12 in one place and 14 in another. Both agree the youngest is 9. Worth settling when you book if you have a 13 or 14 year old in the group.
Sources disagree. There is a tribal park fee added on top of the tour price, and the site gives it as 1 percent in one place and 1.5 percent in another. It is small either way, but ask for the total when you book so the invoice matches.
Washrooms
Needs confirmation
Lunch space
Needs confirmation
Rain backup
We will not cancel bookings or offer refunds due to rain, clouds or fog.
Strollers
Needs confirmation
Wheelchair access
Needs confirmation
Bus parking
Downton Pay Parking is in effect every day from 9 AM - 6 PM until May 1 to October 31. The cost is $2.75hr for 6hrs max. There is also a municipal lot that allows full day and multiday parking on 3rd and Main parking.
Nearby park
Needs confirmation
Restrictions
Group tour min age is 13yrs old and anyone under 16yrs must be in the front of a double kayak. Youth 9-15yrs old are required to be in the front of a double with an adult.. We require a minimum of 2 people for a tour to go.. Everyone in our booking can understand instructions in English without a translator.. Please read waiver prior to kayaking tour as you will be required to sign to take part in any of our activities.. Tours are non-smoking and non-vaping. You cannot be under influence of drugs or alcohol that could affect safety on the water.. Kayaks cockpits are able to fit people to approx. height of 6.4″ (195cm) and waist size of 46″(117cm). Pregnant women can join tour in the first trimester up to 15 weeks only.. Sea kayaking is a physical activity. Including walking on uneven & slippery terrain. carrying kayaks, stairs, possible capsize, variety of weather conditions
