Bear Watching
in Tofino Vancouver Island
by Hector Fuente

Tourists flock to Tofino for bear viewing trips each year, and are rarely disappointed. The animals, often a secluded species and hard to view, are everywhere in British Columbia - making it a popular tourist destination.

The bears, while timid, are a joy to watch from a distance, and a bear watching holiday is a unique event that is sure to be unforgettable.

While there have been sporadic grizzly bear sightings at the northern tip of the island, black bears are the only species of Ursus common on Vancouver Island, so don't expect to head out bear watching in Tofino to get photographs of big grizzly teeth. But in my opinion, black bears are just as much fun to watch, and provide a thrilling experience when viewing from the safe distance aboard a boat.

Black bears can weigh up to 600 pounds and are omnivores (like humans), eating both vegetable and animal matter. Tourists don't need to be afraid of the animals, just reasonably careful. Most shy away from humans, and bear watching excursions allow visitors to view the bears from a safe distance without disturbing them, most commonly aboard a marine vessel on the backdrop of spectacular Clayoquot Sound. Signing up for a tour gives you a unique opportunity to view wildlife at a close distance.

A typical Tofino bear watching tour allows guests to board a Zodiac or covered aluminum boat for a water based excursion. The boat travels along the fjord-laden waterways of Clayoquot Sound, stopping in inlets and bays to allow visitors to observe wildlife. Bears often come out to the water's edge to eat the small shore crabs along the pebbly beaches, often inhaling wads of seaweed a few yards away from awed onlookers.

Humans have always been interested in bears, often leading to hunting them or interfering with their natural habitats. Areas like Tofino allow humans to satisfy their curiosity, while enjoying wildlife in a gentle, non harmful way. Instead of disturbing the bear's habitat, these tours allow us to view them in their habitat, while preserving the areas in which they live.

If you've been searching for a unique vacation destination, bear watching in Tofino, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia might be an excellent option. Perfect for the nature lover, these tours allow visitors to connect with nature, view majestic wildlife and enjoy a relaxing vacation destination. When you go, make sure to solidify your accommodation options, as hotels and resorts fill up very quickly in the peak summer season. I like to stay at one of the oceanfront hotels or resorts - if you can get a room in one of the hotels on the water, you'll be happy.

Bear watching tours cost between $75 and $90. All of the tour operators go to the same places, around the backside of Meares Island, especially focusing on Fortune Channel in Clayoquot Sound, where the bears tend to congregate in the spring and summer months. I suggest talking to a few of the different tour operators before you sign up for an excursion in order to get a sense of the commitment to customer satisfaction - the right company to choose is the company that feels right to you.

To learn more about the companies that operate these tours and find a good list of accommodation providers in Tofino, you can visit www.tofino-bc.com.

As always: have fun, be safe, and take lots of pictures!

[Hector Fuente is a travel writer and "hands-on" adventure travel researcher that loves to go to Vancouver Island, Canada, especially his favorite little beach town - Tofino. He always recommends bringing along a first aid kit while traveling, especially if you'll be doing anything away from the resort. When Hector is in Tofino, he tries to find enough money to stay at one of the quality waterfront accommodation providers in the town, and he's always happiest on the beach.]

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