Adventure seekers and nature lovers aren’t the only visitors the Pacific Rim region welcomes each year. The biggest guests to the area are the approximately 20,000 grey whales that travel along the coastline between March and October on an annual migration route. Some of these massive whales like it here so much, they hang outing places like Barkley Sound or in the open waters off Tofino for the whole season. In honour of these exciting visitors, the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino, along with Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, host the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival in March, a much-anticipated event with a wonderful array of family activities, informative lectures, and thrilling whale watching. Although it is possible to see the whales from shore in the early spring, especially in Ucluelet along the Wild Pacific Trail, the most exciting and almost guaranteed way to get a good look at these magnificent creatures is on a expert-guided whale and marine wildlife watching tour. Tours are widely available in the region.
Bird watching is another avidly pursued activity in the Pacific Rim region. Tofino is considered one of North America’s richest
bird watching destinations because of the many species of resident and migrating birds. Guided bird watching tours are available from local operators. As well, Tofino holds the annual Shorebird Festival in May and celebrates birds with events and activities for the whole family. Bird watchers will also enjoy Port Alberni’s JV Cline Bird Sanctuary, another birding destination worth bringing your binoculars to.
Bear watching tours by boat are also offered in the Pacific Rim region. On these tours, guides take you to safe viewing areas where you can watch and photograph black bears fishing for salmon or foraging for berries along the shoreline.
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