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What it actually looks like
Photos from West Coast Aquatic Safaris's website
Our note
This is a six hour day with a 2 km walk at each end, and their own page says it is not stroller or wheelchair friendly and that guests have to manage uneven ground. Everyone carries their own lunch, water and swim things. For a preschool group that is a long day on a boardwalk, so talk it through before you commit.
What the children do
A full day trip to Nismaakqin Park, formerly Maquinna Provincial Park, listed on the questions page at 6 hours. It is a 90 minute covered and heated boat ride north from Tofino Harbour, then a 2 km cedar boardwalk with stairs and uneven surfaces that takes 35 to 40 minutes each way, then up to three hours at the park to soak in the natural thermal rock pools. The site says guests must be able to walk uneven terrain and that the trip is not stroller or wheelchair accessible, and that guests bring their own lunch, snacks and water. Small group tours are listed at a maximum of 12. No price is published.
Ride 90 minutes up the coast from Tofino Harbour, watching for sea otters, sea lions, whales and bald eagles from the cabin or the deck. At the other end they walk a 2 km cedar boardwalk through rainforest, with stairs and uneven sections, out to the edge of the coast. There they can soak in a chain of natural hot rock pools that spill down toward the ocean, with up to three hours at the park before the boat ride home.
Good to know
There is a toilet on the boat, and change stalls, a gazebo and park washrooms at the springs. No price, youngest age, group rate or bus parking is published, and the walk rules out strollers, so a call is worth it.
Sources disagree. Their site gives two different end dates for the whale watching season. One says it runs to November, another says it ends in October. If you are looking at late October or November, check that they are still sailing before you plan the day.
Sources disagree. Their site gives two different sets of office opening hours. One says 9am to 5pm, the other 7am to 9pm. Since everyone has to check in half an hour before the boat leaves, it is worth confirming the office is open when you plan to arrive.
Sources disagree. Two of their pages give the street number slightly differently, 101 and 101A Fourth Street. It is the same bright orange building on Fourth Street, so either one will get your driver there.
Sources disagree. Their questions page and their tour pages give slightly different lengths for the whale and bear trips. The tour pages allow an extra half hour on each. Plan for the longer figure if you have a bus booked.
Washrooms
Yes, all boats are equipped with a restroom - sink and toilet. However, we encourage guests to use our office restroom prior to departure and/or returning from the tour.
Lunch space
Needs confirmation
Rain backup
It is the "wet coast" - so we go out. WCAS provides rain jackets to use while touring and the boat has inside seating for all.
Strollers
For safety reasons, we cannot allow strollers on our vessels, but you are welcome to leave them in our offices during your trip. For infants we recommend baby sling and carriers.
Wheelchair access
West Coast Aquatic Safaris has a ramp to provide access to the office. We also have a ramp to load aboard NANUQ, priority accessible parking at the harbour and a pre-loading protocol.
Bus parking
Parking ia available along Fourth St. or there is a pay parking lot on the corner of Third & Main.
Nearby park
Needs confirmation
Restrictions
Please check in at the West Coast Aquatic Safaris office (located at 101 Fourth Street, Tofino) at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your tour.. All guests are required to sign a participation waiver prior to the tour departure. Guests under 18 years of age must have a guardian sign for them.. For safety reasons, we cannot allow strollers on our vessels, but you are welcome to leave them in our offices during your trip.. Any of the open water trips may not be suitable for guests who are pregnant, who have back or neck injuries, or have concerns with open ocean conditions including potential bumps during the voyage.. Dogs must have a medical note from a physician or doctor or qualified medical practitioner, as well as wear appropriate identification (harness or vest). This policy does not include therapy or emotional support dogs.. You will not be able to touch as per Canadian law.
Getting there
101A Fourth Street, PO Box 967, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
