We at West Coast Aquatic Safaris would like to send out our condolences to the Ahousat community and the friends and families of those who were lost in the float plane accident on Saturday, May 29th.

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

Our hearts are with you.

Its been another exciting day out here on the West Coast. Even the weather hasn't been too bad. The air is warm, the rain comes and goes, and the animals have been abundant.
This morning on our 7am Bear Watch, our guests were thrilled to catch a pair of mother Black Bears and their cubs. One lucky Mom had 3 cubs! You definitely don't get to see that everyday and not to mention rare.
Later on, on our journey up to Hot Spring Cove, we were lucky enough to catch sight of a Bear, combing the beach for an afternoon snack, as well as a migrating Grey and Humpback. That is all our trips rolled into one. You cant get much luckier than that. This Afternoon, on our Whale Watch, guests were able to catch up to a pod of 7 Orca. One male, a small calf and 5 females. Its not everyday we catch a glimps of these transient mammals, but when we do, you can't help but feel that surge of joy and think "This is why we came here."
Special Thanks to Kevin Sansalone from Whistler BC for sending in this incredible shot of a mother and her roughly 2week old calf. They were able to spot the duo last Tuesday, on their trip aboard Wasco.
We have trips going out daily starting at 7am, so head to our website and sign up early for 10% off, or give us a call. If your interested in booking multiple trips, we offer 10% off the second booking, so again, sign up early to reserve your seats.

Orcas in the sun

Yesterday was a great day out on the ocean. With a couple of groups of Transient Orcas in the area there was lots of excitement for all those who have chosen West Coast Aquatic Safaris. By mid day day our guest were watching as the male and female Orca were passing under WASCO chasing after the California Sea Lions. While the outside waters had high winds and swell, the water behind Meares Island was quite calm all day and even provided the opportunity to use the hydrophone and listen to the whales communicate.
Today has been sunny again and While en route to Hot Springs Cove the group has had the good fortune to find a Humpback moving up the coastline. The Long weekend has been good to us and everyone that has been in town as the Weather has worked out very well and every possible type of wildlife to be seen has been. We are now really looking forward to receiving lots of photos for our Photo of the week contest.

Thank you to everyone that has been waiting patiently for the new website to be completed. There are still a few items to be completed but the Online Booking section is still working for you to save 10% by making your reservations in advance. By visiting our Facebook page you will see that we have posted some terrific ways to win free passes on our new boat for the 2010 season.

Mid-way Though May... How Time Flies

West Coast Aquatic Safaris is excited for many reasons this morning! First, owner Keith has been away off doing work, but he is on his way back to Tofino and happy to be coming home. Our new Cataraman is almost up to her home, Tofino and ready for her first Whale or Bear watch. Once she arrives up to Tofino that means West Coast Aquatic Safaris will be having a at least one daily excursion to the Hot Springs! Driver Tim Tom "Can't wait!"

Some more good news... As locals and visitors a like have notice there has been some dreadful construction going on in front of the shop. This has been a requirement by the district of Tofino, to replace the storm drains and build a side walk. Well to all of our relief the curb is supposed to be put in next week, followed by the side walk and then landscaping up to the shop. We are hoping to be complete for the first week in June! Keep your figures crossed!

That first weekend of June also brings Tofino the Food and Wine Festival!!!! Grab a ticket, if there still are some. Our entire staff highly suggests it!

So Much To See

This past week has been truly excellent the weather and sea conditions have been absolutely ideal and there seems to be an endless amount of things to see. Yesterday in the morning WASCO and our group witnessed a cow and her two bear cubs on the beach enjoying a morning meal when along came four wolves looking for one of their own. The mother bear quickly sent her cubs up a nearby tree for safety and sent a very clear message to the wolves that they were all to be left alone. In the afternoon we were lucky to find many whales up towards Long Beach and again in Cow Bay. West Coast Aquatic Safaris and our guest were just as fortunate today. This morning again there were more bears with cubs and many more Grey Whales feeding in around Cow Bay.

The Victoria day weekend is now rapidly approaching and our schedules are starting to fill up. While visiting our you will find all of our scheduled departure times and can make your reservation online. Doing so in advance will not only guarantee that you and your family have the best possible experience at the time that works best for you but it will also save you 10 %

Does it get any better?

These past few days have been almost perfect here in Tofino and being on the water has been even better, if that is possible. We have been experiencing very mild temperatures for the past couple of days. The water has been calm, and there have been lots of Whales, Bears and Sea Lions along the coastline. Today WASCO and our Captain found a particularly active group of Grey Whales that were feeding near Cow Bay. Among them were a cow and her calf that were nursing along the rocks. There were many great photos taken by our guests today as there were a lot of Tail Flukes and heads bobbing up out of the water.

Tomorrow is Mothers Day and there is no better way to spend it than with West Coast Aquatic Safaris and a couple of hours aboard WASCO taking in some of the best scenery in the world. With our style of boat there is no age restriction and therefore no reason the whole family can't come. The cabin is heated for those that tend to feel the chill. You can ride up top for those that want the best possible photo or ride on the bow if you really need a thrill. Did I forget to mention the bathroom?

We will be departing at 9:30, 12:30 and 3:30 so give us a call to reserve for the time that best suits your family. We hope to see you out here

Seems like last weeks wind storm stirred up all of Mother Natures little critters. We have been seeing a lot more of the mother black bear and her 2 cubs up Fortune Channel as of late, as well as a numerous amount of Greys out towards Long Beach.

With the weather the way it been, and the animals being as active as they are, I cant think of a better way to spend the day than out on the water with our amazing boat captains and our girl Wasco. So sign up early to reserve your seat.

Dont forget to check out our website and our facebook page for day to day updates and trip times.

Orcas are Back In Town

Well, today started out with a nice Bear watching trip up the inside of Meares Island in Fortune Chanel. After having the chance to see several Black Bears including one young female and her 2 cubs, we stumbled across 5 Orcas looking for a meal. There were 4 adults and one juvenile that were hunting and eating Harbour Seals along Fortune Channel as well. This was a rare opportunity to see so much in a relatively small area and each creature fully engaged in their daily feeding rituals.

Even with Tofino's rain and rapidly changing weather today was a fantastic day on the water for a group of all ages. Because of WASCO's design and the ability to move both indoors for the heated cabin or outdoors to the three viewing decks. The warm, bathroom equipped cabin makes WASCO and West Coast Aquatic Safaris the ideal choice for your family adventure.