Ocean Outfitters Tofino Adventures
368 Main Street V0R 2Z0 Tofino, BC, Canada

An epic capture after a bald eagle’s successful hunt by @ryanmillar. Ever wonder what goes into hunting these tasty meals? In order to catch fish, eagles generally watch the surface of the water from a perch or while soaring through the air. Once they have caught sight of their next meal, they’ll then swoop down close to the water and drop their feet in to catch it with their talons. Here on the coast of the Pacific Northwest, pink salmon and trout make up the vast majority of this species' diet!

It’s time for our weekly Sustainability Spotlight! This week, meet Bob Hansen from WildSafeBC. Wild Safe BC is the provincial leader in preventing conflict with wildlife through collaboration, education and community solutions. WildSafeBC provides information on how we can reduce human-wildlife conflicts in all aspects of our lives, including how we live, work, play and grow.... Thank you Wild Safe BC for all that you do! Video: Nate Laverty

Jumping into the new year like Here at Ocean Outfitters, we are committed to creating lasting change by supporting an incredible network of people and projects dedicated to protecting and restoring our coastlines. We are so excited to work with our amazing community of partners and guests to continue our mission of restorative tourism through ecological stewardship, carbon action and community responsibility. ... Cheers to another year, the best is yet to come! What are some things you would like to see in 2021? Taken from an ethical viewing distance with a telephoto lens.

Environmental good news from 2020 -The Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced that all 19 salmon farms in the Discovery Islands will be removed over the next 18 months. -The BC and federal governments announced regulations on harmful plastics. ... -First Nations leaders, conservationists, scientists and several politicians have put forward a new plan to finance old-growth forest protection in the upcoming B.C. and federal budgets and Covid-19 economic recovery plans. -The federal government announced new measures to exceed our 2030 emissions targets and grow the renewable energy sector. This is only the beginning. Let’s keep the momentum growing and work together for a healthier, happier, more equitable and sustainable future together Know some other environmental good news stories from this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Congratulations to everyone for making it through the darkest days of 2020! Winter solstice on Monday marked the start of the astronomical winter and the beginning of longer days as spring approaches. Celebrate extra hours of daylight with a private winter tour! Currently, we are offering private Nature Cruises and private Meares Island Big Tree Trail transport to individuals within the same household residing in our region. Our storefront is currently closed to the public ...however reservations for these programs can be made by phone 250-725-2866 or online through our website. Store Hours: 9 to 5 Thursday to Monday Closed: Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s Closed: Dec 25th Our strict COVID- 19 protocols remain in place to ensure the safety of our staff, passengers and community. Photo: esmedia

In case you hadn’t heard, for the next 2 months we are going to be posting weekly Sustainability Spotlights every Monday! Last Friday the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced that all 19 salmon farms in the Discovery Islands will be removed over the next 18 months. In light of this great news, we are pleased to feature Alexandra Morton Gwayum'dzi for this week’s Sustainability Spotlight and highlight her work to #BuildBackBetter. Alexandra Morton is an independent... biologist who has dedicated her life to restoring the balance between the people and the wild salmon off the coast of British Columbia. For decades she has fought the destructive forces of the salmon farming industry in order to protect keystone wild salmon populations. An important point she makes is that tourism operators need to become involved in efforts to protect wild salmon. Our federal government makes decisions based off of business and the economy, and the weight of the wilderness tourism sector in terms of jobs and economy size vastly outweighs that of salmon farming. Since tourism is a much larger industry than farming fish, we have a large role to play in addressing this issue. For this reason, in 2017 Ocean Outfitters started supporting efforts to protect wild salmon being made by First Nations, concerned citizens, and conservation organizations in the Broughton Archipelago. Since then, we have implemented communications to all of our passengers about the real cost of salmon farming on the coast and have funded initiatives for restoration, research and campaigns through Central West Coast Forest Society, Cedar Coast Field Station , and Clayoquot Action The federal announcement to remove all 19 salmon farms from the Discovery Islands is a huge step in the right direction and we want to continue to bring energy and support to this movement working to remove all of them from British Columbia’s waters and #BuildBackBetter. What are your thoughts on thoughts on the Federal announcement? How can we all contribute to #BuildBackBetter?

We continue to see transient orcas over the fall and winter months, even as migratory whales (like greys and humpbacks) begin to make their way down south for the winter. Our whale tours continue until the end of November this year. Join us on your next visit to Tofino and keep your eyes peeled for orcas! Photo by Rachel Brock, taken with a telephoto lens from an ethical viewing distance. Learn more about our whale watching and nature tours: http://bit.ly/2I99isa

A magical misty moment near Tofino in Clayoquot Sound . We love this place with its never-ending natural beauty - especially in fall! Photo by Lonny Barr via @TourismTofino

Have you been to Meares Island yet? It's home to some of the remaining biggest , oldest Red Cedar trees in the world! They've seen more than a few pandemics in their lifetime... Big Tree Trail (self-guided) is an affordable ($30/adult) adventure for you to experience as part of your Tofino trip. Take our 10 minute boat cruise to the Big Tree trail head. The Big Tree trail has two parts. The trail begins as a boardwalk leading you past many features of special interest to the ...Hanging Garden Tree which has a circumference of 18.3 meters and a height of 42.7 meters! The board walk is 620 meters in length and takes approximately 1.5 hours return to enjoy. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2Ia5Jlc Photo by Jordan Dyck

Are you an aspiring biology researcher? Here’s an example of creative scientific investigation in action... In a new study published this past June, researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium (California) examined a collection of dried, pressed seaweedsdating back over 140 yearsto learn what ocean conditions in Monterey bay were like in the early 19th century. Working with colleagues from Stanford University, and the University of Hawai‘i, aquarium researchers gathered pres...sings of seaweeds acquired from collectors/enthusiasts from Monterey Bay between 1878-2018. By analyzing their tissues and comparing it with historical data they had about ocean currents, the researchers uncovered new information about the sardine fishery collapse in the 1950s... Find out more at: https://www.hakaimagazine.com//scientists-use-seaweeds-to/ By Hakai Magazine

Roxanne of the travelling duo, The Coastal Campaign, holding a fern frond Did you know ferns are among the oldest types of plants still surviving on the planet? Some species are virtually the same as they were tens of millions of years ago! In the dinosaur age (a casual 66-245 million years ago ), ferns were the main source of food for the herbivorous sauropods (picture a giraffe body, but as a dinosaur, with no spots or fur...)... Ferns are most commonly found in shaded damp forests of both temperate and tropical zones. Some fern species grow equally well on soil and upon rocks though. Around Tofino, you'll find many in the forest and on rocks! Some ferns play a role in "ecological succession," meaning they grow in the crevices of bare rock exposures or in open bogs and marshes before an area has what it needs to become hospitable for more trees. Photo: Roxanne Savage thecoastalcampaign

Roxanne of the travelling duo, The Coastal Campaign, holding a fern frond Did you know ferns are among the oldest types of plants still surviving on the planet? Some species are virtually the same as they were tens of millions of years ago! In the dinosaur age (a casual 66-245 million years ago ), ferns were the main source of food for the herbivorous sauropods (picture a giraffe body, but as a dinosaur, with no spots or fur...)... Ferns are most commonly found in shaded damp forests of both temperate and tropical zones. Some fern species grow equally well on soil and upon rocks though. Around Tofino, you'll find many in the forest and on rocks! Some ferns play a role in "ecological succession," meaning they grow in the crevices of bare rock exposures or in open bogs and marshes before an area has what it needs to become hospitable for more trees. Photo: Roxanne Savage thecoastalcampaign

A stunning harbour seal locking eyes with our tour guest and adventure photographer StuartCostello/ stuminous last month. If you spend enough time on the water, you can see a seal (or several) year-round in the Tofino area. If you plan to visit this fall or winter, you're likely to experience a moment just like this on anyone of our tours. Interesting seal facts!... Have you ever thought dogs and seals share a resemblance? You’re right! Seals share a common ancestor with dogs and bears. Harbour seals spend half their time on land resting, breeding and raising their young on both rocky and sandy beaches. They do not migrate and will remain in the same general area unless the search for food requires that they move. Seals usually dive under water for 3 mins at a time, but they can stay under water as long as 30 minutes. When they dive, their heartbeat slows from about 100 beats per minute to 10, sometimes less! It sounds kind of relaxing until you’re spotted by an orca, that is. Check out our 2.5 hr Clayoquot Nature Cruise, perfect for your fall/winter adventure http://bit.ly/2HIyt4n Photo by Stuart Costello @stuminous using a telephoto lens from an ethical viewing distance. #tofinoWild

A stunning harbour seal locking eyes with our tour guest and adventure photographer StuartCostello/ stuminous last month. If you spend enough time on the water, you can see a seal (or several) year-round in the Tofino area. If you plan to visit this fall or winter, you're likely to experience a moment just like this on anyone of our tours. Interesting seal facts!... Have you ever thought dogs and seals share a resemblance? You’re right! Seals share a common ancestor with dogs and bears. Harbour seals spend half their time on land resting, breeding and raising their young on both rocky and sandy beaches. They do not migrate and will remain in the same general area unless the search for food requires that they move. Seals usually dive under water for 3 mins at a time, but they can stay under water as long as 30 minutes. When they dive, their heartbeat slows from about 100 beats per minute to 10, sometimes less! It sounds kind of relaxing until you’re spotted by an orca, that is. Check out our 2.5 hr Clayoquot Nature Cruise, perfect for your fall/winter adventure http://bit.ly/2HIyt4n Photo by Stuart Costello @stuminous using a telephoto lens from an ethical viewing distance. #tofinoWild

How do scientists collect health data from whales? Here's a marine biologist who studies whales of the Arctic (not the Pacific Ocean, where Ocean Outfitters operates), and in a recent project, she used a non-invasive technique (collecting mucus from whale blow as the animals exhale) to measure stress hormones in a population of belugas near Churchill, Manitoba. What an interesting project to experience! https://www.hakaimagazine.com//coastal-job-whale-snot-col/

Can you spot the orca spyhopping in the distance underneath the morning fog? What is "spyhopping"? When an animal spyhops, it vertically pokes its head out of the water. Most oceanographers say spyhopping simply lets the animals get a better view of activity near the water's surface. ... Some toothed cetaceans, such as killer whales, seem to use spyhopping to view prey, such as seals, swimming near the surface. Photo by @un.cafe.a.la.fois... #TofinoWild ##ExploreBC #Tofino

An interesting phenomenon happening in our pacific northwest region, particularly in the lower mainland... "In an interview, Dr. Gries noted that the surplus of moths may be caused by a combination of two factors: really warm summers that stress the trees and [ . . . ] a mild winter that allow[s] eggs to survive. He added that there is no definitive answer to why their species has seen a jump in population but ecologists can continue to speculate on this.

This bedazzled mask from tour guests @kateonthegram is pretty awesome Do you have a favourite mask? We're getting ready for the long weekend. Please note our COVID safety protocols for your upcoming nature adventure with us: We have a zero tolerance policy for illness in the workplace. Our land base team, guides, and customers are required to complete health declaration and temperature checks before work, and pre-boarding.... Passengers and Guides are required to wear protective face covering at all times on tours and in our storefront. Our Team has the right to deny boarding to any passenger if there is a health or compliance concern. Stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols are in place and ample supplies of hand sanitizer at check-in and on board our vessels. We use technology solutions where possible to reduce person-to-person interactions such as pre-payment, credit card only, and digital waivers. We have made Private Tours more accessible than ever before to encourage social distancing for the 2020 season. Read more at https://www.oceanoutfitters.bc.ca/covid19-update

Feeding you some optimistic news for your weekend :) Wolverines are powerful little creatures that resemble a small bear crossed with a skunk and is the largest member of the weasel family (same family as sea and river otters, mink etc.). These tough animals are solitary, and need a lot of room to roam. Individual wolverines may travel 15 miles in a day in search of food. Wolverines have been spotted in many parts of Northern Canada and British Columbia, including part of th...e Great Bear Rainforest, but have rarely been spotted on Vancouver Island (let us know if you've seen one!) Article excerpt: It’s really, really exciting, Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park, said in a news release. It tells us something about the condition of the park that when we have such large-ranging carnivores present on the landscape that we’re doing a good job of managing our wilderness.

There is some fantastic fall weather headed our way next week. Enjoy it while you still can Check out our half day guided kayak tour; a great option for exploring the outdoors safely! On this tour, a 30-minute boat ride will whisk you away from the hustle and bustle of town. Once arriving at our private dock, we'll give you a short safety briefing before entering the kayaks and paddling along the vivid shore line. While enjoying the calm waters and discussing the history of... Clayoquot Sound, we'll be on the lookout for for Harbour Seals, Black Bears, Sea Otters, Bald Eagles and various other forms of wildlife that out populate humans in this area! Snack breaks are encouraged and can be done while floating on the water using a healthy piece of Kelp as a natural anchor. On our 6.5 hour trips (groups only) there is the option of adding a catered lunch for an additional fee. Tours depart at 9am & 2:30pm. See our website for details! http://bit.ly/2Ko7cFX

It's always impressive to see how the natural world is so intricately connected. Lots of interesting facts in this article: "Relentlessly drilling holes in the sides of fire-hardened trees in pursuit of insects, they create ready-made shelters for dozens of different animal species, who eat the fire-retardant seeds of plants and distribute them ...in their droppings; thus allowing the forest to regenerate... The woodpecker deliberately seeks fire-damaged forests out in search of their favorite food: the larvae of the black fire beetle, which have evolved heat-sensing organs to find which trees are still warm from fires to lay their eggs in."

Upcoming special occasion? Birthday, anniversary, small wedding? As a result of the pandemic, we have made private charters more financially accessible this year. Private charters come in various shapes and sizes depending on your needs and are skippered by our expert captains. Make any of our regular tours private (like whale or bear watching) or dream up an unforgettable adventure of your own! Want to get engaged on the open ocean and have the hatches full of hidden flower...s, champagne and all the fixings? Want to spend the morning with our local wildlife then hit a secluded beach for a private picnic? Stand up paddle board remote rivers and swim with wild salmon? Dream it and we can do it! If you wish to learn more, call or email our front desk team and we would be happy to walk you through your options! Learn more: https://www.oceanoutfitters.bc.ca/private-charters Photo by Nate Laverty

The Ocean Outfitters team proudly joined First Nations, community members, and businesses who oppose open net pen salmon farming and its harmful effects on local wild salmon populations. This flotilla was organized by The Nuuchanulth Salmon Alliance (check out their Facebook page for more info). We chose to stand as tribal park allies, an ever-evolving role we committed to via the Tribal Park Alliance, and to advocate for our home and local ecosystem. It takes awareness an...d consistently voicing our concerns to ensure we/our home stay healthy. When the health of our ecosystem weakens, it starts a chain-reaction that negatively affects all of us in varying industries and socio-economic backgrounds. This is our home, and it is your home. We believe it is absolutely critical to protect it from harmful practices @BernadetteJordanNS please help us protect wild salmon before it’s too late. #protectwhatyoulove #wildfirst #HeartofTofino