kayak tour tofino

Welcome to Black Bear Kayak Tofino

Truly immersive experiences since 2010

Bears by Kayak! 4-5hrs

When the tide withdraws in Clayoquot Sound, the black bears step out from the tree line and scour the rocky shore for their next meal.

Join us on a remote, explorer style mothership kayak tour where you and your guide will set out from Tofino harbour. This time with kayaks secured to the roof of your shuttle boat.

The boat ride will take you on a approximately 30minute passage with many wildlife opportunities along the way. Once our mothership is anchored your guide will get you and your boats on the water. From here we're going to set out on our kayaking adventure in Fortune channel. Find yourself in awe of west coast wildlife without the megaphone and loud hum of a boat's motor.

Read more: Bears by Kayak! 4-5hrs

Lemmens Inlet & Big Tree Trail mothership kayak tour

Lemmens inlet, encompassed by a sensational mountain panorama provides a stunning view of the snow covered peaks of Strathcona Park during this mothership kayak tour.

Let’s jump our 30ft vessel with 4 double kayaks on the roof and leave the busy Tofino harbour area behind. Our destination, Lemmens Inlet is an about 20minutes  boat ride away and once we anchored our boat we will be ready to launch our kayaks and have a close look.

Read more: Lemmens Inlet & Big Tree Trail mothership kayak tour

Next available Tours

About us - we love what we do.

Founded in 2010, Black Bear Kayaking is the newest base for kayak adventure trips in Tofino. Enthusiastic, highly-motivated and well experienced in what we do, we have managed to establish a successful reputation for guided kayak tours throughout Clayoquot Sound.

• Weather + Surf
• Work in Tofino

Paddle West Kayaking

• 1.877.479.3232

Social Media

•   @paddlewestkayaking

Kayaking with Paddle West Kayaking offers you a West Coast experience that is truly unforgettable! Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Clayoquot Sound and Barkley Sound, while getting up close and personal with the nature and wildlife that has made the west coast of Vancouver Island one of the worlds premiere kayaking destinations.

Paddle West offers unforgettable sea kayaking experiences out of two waterfront locations in Tofino and Ucluelet, BC — join us for professionally guided sea kayaking day trips, kayak rentals, and customized multi-day tours designed for everyone from beginners to veteran paddlers.

Additional Information

Tofino Tours Include: 

On our  “Islands”  kayaking tour you’ll explore beautiful Tofino shorelines and island channels while enjoying the breathtaking sights of Tofino’s surrounding waterways. This is the perfect kayak tour if you only have a couple hours but still want to experience the scenery and wildlife Tofino is famous for. 2.5 hours

On our  “Rainforest”  kayaking and walking tour, dip your paddle into the pristine sparkling waters of Clayoquot Sound en route to explore the Meares Island Tribal Park “Big Tree Trail”. While on Meares you’ll take a guided walk through the lush temperate rainforest to view ancient (1000+ year old!) red cedars and stand in awe amongst some of Canada’s largest trees. If possible we recommend booking this tour well in advance as this is our most popular Tofino kayak tour! 4 hours

Our  “Clayoquot Sound”  kayaking tour is the perfect way to escape the crowds and discover the breathtaking natural beauty of Tofino’s Clayoquot Sound. Whether kayaking along the beautiful sandy shores of Vargas Island or paddling up Lemmens Inlet surrounded by the towering old growth of Meares Island; our Discover Clayoquot trip will leave you with a sense of awe for one of the worlds premiere sea kayaking destinations. Highly recommended for those with a decent level of fitness who are looking for a bit more time to explore this amazing environment. Each trip involves about an hour on land to rest, have lunch, and explore. 6 hours

Paddle West offers  3-day, 5-day, and custom guided kayak expeditions . Camp on sprawling white sand beaches beneath the stars or the canopy of the rainforest. Eat delicious fresh meals inspired by the West Coast and prepared by your guide. Watch the sunset as you fall asleep to the sound of gently crashing waves. Wake up as the sun rises over the mountains of Vancouver Island. Explore the rugged coastlines of Vargas and Flores Islands searching for wildlife, big and small. Escape from the routines of every day life and live simply by the tides. Choose from our 5-day Hot Springs Cove Tour, 3-day Vargas Island Tour, or choose your own destination and trip length!

Kayaking / Canoe Tours

Tofino Kayak Tours vary from 2 1/2 hours paddling around the islands to a very popular 4 hour Tofino Kayaking day trip to the Meares Island Big Tree Trail... There are also 6 to 8 hour Kayak Tours or multiple day Adventures into Clayoquot Sound. Often you get to see some of the West Coast wildlife like eagles, otters and if you are really lucky a whale. Paddle with an experienced local Guide and view Tofino BC from a different perspective. Your Tofino Kayaking Adventure will depart from the harbor and you'll paddle the Pacific coastline exploring remote beaches and coves. Tofino Sea Kayaking is fun for all ages. No experience is required, you will receive an informative Kayak lesson. Ucluelet BC: Paddle West Kayaking Tours in Ucluelet will take you into breathtaking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands. See bottom of page for Info on Kayak Tours in Ucluelet. First Nations Cultural Canoe Tours. T'ashii Paddle provides traditional dugout Cedar Canoe Trips in Tofino. Paddle to Meares Island with a Nuu-chah-nulth canoe guide and learn about local aboriginal culture and history.

Tofino-Kayaking / Canoe Tours

Kayak launch, marc's private tours, paddle west kayaking tofino, t'ashii - dugout canoe tours, tofino sea kayaking tours, ucluelet-kayaking / canoe tours, paddle west kayaking ucluelet.

Book with us today!   1.250.725-4222

Book with us today  , multi-day tours, 2021 covid19 considerations.

We are hopeful that this year we will be able to resume our overnight tour program.  At this time it is still uncertain as we wait changes in from the Health Authority on essential travel.

The local First Nations have also declared the territories closed until people in the outlying communities are immunized and less vulnerable to people visiting their traditional territory.

Once these restrictions on travel in Clayoquot Sound are lifted we are eager and excited to resume our overnight kayaking tours.  If interested please send in a tour request to [email protected]  and we will keep you posted with any updates.

Join us in a west coast kayaking adventure

Clayoquot Sound is a world class paddling destination, and our Multi-Day overnight Tours immerse into the complex shorelines, white sand beaches, and ancient rainforest that makes this area a world class paddling destination.  Launching from our base in Tofino, the group will head out to explore the clusters of islands which dot Clayoquot Sound

Check out our selection of  dates for our 4 day overnight camping tours

Posts not found, before you go: faq.

What We Provide

We provide all the kayaking gear, quality tents, camping and safety equipment. We also provide dry bags for packing clothing a set of waterproof paddle jackets, and rubber boots.

Optional travellers package: for a $20/day  additional charge, we will provide you with a  sleeping bag, liner, pillow and a sleeping mat so you can travel light.

Dress For the Weather

The west coast weather if anything is changeable, which can make telling people what to bring a little challenging.  Before you head out on one of our multi-day tours we basically suggest you have something for all conditions you might encounter that day. Make sure you’ve got a good all purpose hat, sunglasses, sweater or jacket, rain gear or waterproof top. Active wear clothing that is quick dry or synthetic is the best, try to avoid cotton. Your feet will get wet, so wear shoes that can go in the water. If you don’t have some of these things, we offer a good selection of gear to ensure you are suited up with what you need. You can also check our Company Store before you go for items and a selection of outdoor clothing that will keep you warm and dry.

Upon registration for the tour we will provide a Clothing and Equipment List to help you be prepared for what you need on the tour and suggestions for packing.

Kayak Selection

We use locally designed expedition fiberglass sea kayaks crafted by Seaward and Alantis. We have a choice of double and single kayaks that go on every tour.  Though we allow for preference we do need to ensure a certain mix for safety concerns on the water.  The guide will ensure to meet your needs as best as possible.

We use Werner carbon fiber shaft kayak paddles to ensure every stroke is enjoyable.  We outfit kayaks with quality neoprene spray skirts, and quality paddling life jackets. 

Camping in Clayoquot Sound takes place mainly on lovely beaches located on wilderness islands.  This is rustic camping that requires getting intimate with nature including; bathing using the ocean and sleeping in tents on natural surfaces.  

These areas have minimal facilities; some locations have outhouses and some use the inter tidal zones for the bathroom. 

In nature we co-exisit with animals and need to be animal smart by putting all our food in caches in the evening and out of our tents.

We provide wholesome, variety of west coast flavours suitable for a gourmet camping experience.  We ensure our menus are  suitable to many dietary considerations.  One of the benefits of kayaking is carrying fresh, delicious food that people cannot even believe you can eat while camping.  Our guides get to let thier inner chef our camping style.

We also accomadate food sensativities, allergies and special diets with advance notice

Each tour is lead by one of our experienced and highly trained professional guides.  All our lead guides have years of experience paddling in Clayoquot Sound and beyond.   Our guides hold high levels of training and certification to ensure our tours are safe and enjoyable.   They are also masters at the art of coastal camping.

We are proud to have Andy Murray leading our multi-day tour program brining his expertise and wealth of knowledge.  We know our guests will be in capable hands and have a fun and informed kayaking tour.

To create a enjoyable and intimate travelling group we limit our tours to 1 guide: 4 guests or 2 guides: 10 guests.  The minimum age on our tours is 16yrs old.

Photography

Pictures are a great way to remember and share your paddling adventure. We provide small dry bags to our tours for hand-held cameras. If you have an expensive camera, make sure it’s tied to you with a short strap so there’s no chance of losing it. We encourage you to share your photos with us and the world through your favorite social media site.

Tribal Park Permits

We consider ourselves part of the broader community of Clayoquot Sound.   As a small, local, company, with deep routes throughout the area we aim to ensure our trips fit within the broader social fabric which makes this place special.  As a small part of this, as a company, we actively participate in both the  Ahousaht Guardian  Program, and  Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks  program, and purchase permits for our tours in traditional territory.

Our Location

Clayoquot Sound is a world class paddling destination.   Known for its long sandy beaches, old-growth rain forest, and dynamic coastline, Clayoquot Sound is a must on every paddlers list.  Due to our location in Tofino we launch right from our waterfront location and paddle into the sound.

Paddlers Inn Discount

If you are joining us on a tour you will receive 10% accommodation. We allow one night for guests on our tour program we just need you to contact us to book a room.   For more information please visit  tofinopaddlersinn.com .

Getting Here

People come from all over the world to experience the wonder of the West Coast first hand. Tofino is literally at the end of the road, but getting here is half the fun. Awesome sightseeing opportunities are around every bend and turn. We want you to have an enjoyable experience getting here too, so we’ve provided some tips to help you with your travel plans. 

Located in the heart of downtown Tofino on the waterfront.  Find us right next to the Coast Guard Station.

Day Parking Kayak Tours

As of July 17 2023 the town of Tofino will begin pay parking in the downtown core

Most zones will be either 1hr min or 6hr max parking time frames between the hours of 9:00am-6:00pm. The parking rate is $2.00hr. Downtown Pay Parking Map

Alternate Parking Options

Parking for Multi-day Rentals and Tours

There is a multi-day parking lot on 3rd & Main that allows overnight and extended parking.   Parking lot fees 2023

Parking while Staying at the Paddlers Inn

Guests of the Paddlers Inn can park on the street overnight for free between 6pm & 9am.  Hourly pay parking is available at all other times on the street.

The drive to Tofino takes approximately 6 hours from Victoria or 3.5 hours from Nanaimo. Weather conditions play a factor in the drive, so make sure you have good tires and brakes as the road is windy with lots of sharp corners.  Be patient on the road as there are narrow sections with no passing.  If driving slow to enjoy the sightseeing make sure to pullover in slow vehicle zones to let others by you.  There is no cell phone service from Port Alberni to the Junction of Tofino and Ucluelet. To get an idea of road conditions, wind and weather warnings, check out the highway cams and conditions on Drive BC

Drive north from Nanaimo on highway 1 until you reach the highway 4 turnoff to Port Alberni at Qualicum Beach. Once you reach Port Alberni, it’s your last chance for fuel and food until Tofino, so make sure you’re gassed up and ready to go. 

Transportation Options

Please check road conditions for travel to Tofino and give yourself extra time

Kennedy Hill Construction Schedule

Updated highway closures

Drive BC -highway 4

Flights to Tofino are available directly from Vancouver and Victoria. The flight time is approximately 45 minutes.

• Beginner Friendly

Tofino Rainforest Kayaking Tour

Quick Details

• Map Marker Location: Tofino
• User Ages: Ages 5+
• Hour Glass Duration: 4 hours

Rainforest Kayaking & Hiking Tour in Tofino

On the 4hr Rainforest Kayaking and Hiking Tour , you will depart from Tofino with our friends at Paddle West Kayaking and paddle through the many small islands near Tofino en route to the famous Big Tree Trail on Meares Island , in the Wah-nah-jus-Hilthoois Tribal Park .

After a short paddle, your guide will welcome you to the trail and accompany you on the rustic boardwalk through the old-growth temperate rainforest while engaging you with the abundant natural and cultural history. On the way home, we will be sure to take you on a new route through the islands of the Tofino harbour. We will provide time for you to eat a quick snack or lunch upon arrival at the trail.

• Chevron down Why Should I Go Sea Kayaking?

There are many reasons to go sea kayaking in  Tofino  or  Ucluelet . We find that many of our guests are always surprised at how our kayak tours and guides exceeded their expectations.

Our tours are much more than just going sea kayaking. Although, sea kayaking is exciting on its own!

Of course, you will get some exercise. But don’t worry, we take breaks along the way.

At  Paddle West Kayaking,  we most often have a small group of no more than 6 kayakers with a guide, which makes the experience intimate and quiet, allowing you to talk amongst each other and experience the sounds or lack of sounds while paddling in nature. Sitting in a kayak on the water provides a unique opportunity to explore shallow waters. Closer to shore, admire the abundant sea life below and the towering living rainforest above.

Along the way, your guide will add their extensive knowledge of the natural and cultural history and if you are lucky they will tell you some good jokes too. Your guide will ensure you are comfortable in the kayaks as you navigate through the traditional territory of the  Tla-o-qui-aht  and  Ahousaht First Nations  on our  Tofino  based tours or the  Yuutu?it?aht  and  Toquaht First Nations  on our  Ucluelet  based tours.

• Chevron down What We Provide

– Sea Kayaks  with rudders. We stock Seaward, Current Designs, Boreal, and Old Town brand kayaks. Double kayaks are recommended. We can usually provide single kayaks on request. Kayak selection is at the discretion of the guide.

– Paddles  (Aquabound brand)

– 5L dry bag  for your snacks and phone.

– 10-20L dry bag  for any extra clothes you would like to bring along.

– Personal Floatation Device (PFD)  (Salus brand paddling specific)

– Spray Skirt

– Neoprene   gloves  (by request)

• Chevron down What to Bring

– Sturdy footwear  you can get wet (sport sandals, running shoes, neoprene boots). Most of the time we do our best to keep your feet dry but, you are going kayaking, wet feet sometimes happen. – Dress in layers  and avoid cotton if possible. Even if it’s warm and sunny, bring an extra warm layer and/or a shell jacket so you are prepared if the conditions change. We will give you a dry bag for your extra clothes. Wear shorts or quick-dry pants. -Bring a  rain jacket  and  rain pants  if it looks like it might rain. – Hat  for the sun. – Water Bottle and Snacks.  We have reusable stainless-steel bottles for you to use if you require. There is no need to buy another plastic water bottle. – Camera . We will provide a small dry bag you can access while kayaking. All electronics are brought at your own risk. Paddle West Kayaking does not replace cameras or phones. – Sunscreen – Bug repellent  is not necessary on kayak day trips, but if you are very sensitive to bugs then you can bring some along.

• Chevron down Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience?  You  do not  need experience. Our guides will show you everything you need to know to enjoy your time on the water.

Will I see wildlife?  Yes, wildlife is a guarantee on all of our tours including small and very interesting intertidal life and many types of birds. Common sightings include harbour seals, bald eagles, river otters, jellyfish, raccoons, sea stars, blue herons, anemones, kelp crabs, juvenile fish, sea lions. Less common sightings include porpoise, black bears*, grey whales, tree frogs, salamanders. Rare and lucky sightings include orcas, humpback whales. It is  extremely  rare to witness Sasquatch.

*The best chance to see black bears is on our  2.5 hour Harbour Tour  in  Ucluelet  at low tide.

Can I rent kayaks?  Kayak rentals are reserved for experienced kayakers knowledgeable about kayak self and assisted rescue techniques, knowledge, and practice paddling in tides and currents and chart navigation. We only rent kayaks from our  Tofino  location, there are no kayak rentals in  Ucluelet . It is best to  email  or call to book ahead of time as we do not always have kayaks available to rent. Please see our rentals page for more info:  Tofino Kayak Rentals 

Will I Capsize?  Capsizes do happen but they are VERY rare. The sea kayaks we use are proper sea kayaks that are larger than the ones used on the river or at the lake. They are VERY stable and our guides are skilled at making you feel safe and instructing you how to keep upright. We recommend double kayaks for beginners or anyone that is nervous.

How difficult is kayaking?

Sea kayaking is easy, especially with instruction from our guides. The kayaks have rudders so you can steer them with your feet. Kayaks are human-powered so you will have to put in some effort to move the kayaks. We make sure to take plenty of breaks along the way as there is so much to see. The guides can slow the pace or speed it up depending on the preference and skill of the group.

Can I kayak with children?  Yes! Our minimum age is  5 years old  in order to join one of our tours. Children sit in the front of a double kayak with one parent sitting in the back. If you have 2 children and only 1 adult we can usually arrange for a child to paddle with the guide. Our guides will be certain to entertain the whole family.

Do you still go kayaking if it is raining?   The answer to this is  YES . Paddling in the rainforest while it’s raining can be very magical. There is no such thing as bad weather when you have a good attitude and the right gear. However, we realize not everyone shares this perspective. Please check the weather 24 hrs before your tour and be kind and make any changes to your reservation with as much notice as possible, preferably, outside of 24hrs. In the instance when it is very rainy and also windy we will offer to cancel or re-book the tour at no expense to you.

Is there parking?   Yes, in  Tofino  there is often plenty of parking at  Jamie’s Whaling Station  where we are located. There are also  RV parking  spaces at our location in Tofino.  Ucluelet  has a few parking spaces but the office is located downtown and it is usually not too difficult to find nearby parking.

Can I bring my dog?  Unfortunately, you cannot bring your dog on your kayak tour because our guides are not trained in dog CPR. However, we do love dogs and are often able to arrange care for your dog in the on-site kennels with our friends at  Jamie’s Whaling Station . There is also professional dog walking services that we can refer you to. Please reserve a space ahead of time.

What if I need to go to the bathroom?  There is a washroom on-site available during check-in. On the water, please notify your guide and they will be able to pull over and find you a place to use the  “facili-trees” .  Your guide will carry everything you need to go to the bathroom responsibly and in style.

• Chevron down Cancellation Policy

-There is a 24-hour cancellation and rebooking policy for kayak day tours. For groups larger than 6 people, there is a 48-hour cancellation and rebooking policy.

– For cancellations within 24hrs, 100% of the booking will be charged.

– For rebookings within 24hrs to a later time or date, there is a $20/person fee. Rebooking a tour is dependent on tour availability, if there are no availabilities that fit your schedule and you cannot make your original tour time, the cancellation policy is in effect.

-All cancellations or changes to bookings outside of 24 hours from departure will receive a full refund.

-Any cancellations that are made by Paddle West Kayaking due to inclement conditions will receive a full refund or be re-booked on another available date at no charge.

• Chevron down Safety

Paddle West Kayaking  takes your safety seriously. Safety is embedded into all aspects of our business.

Our guides are certified members of the  Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC)  or must hold the equivalent certifications.

To be a Sea Kayak Guide for Paddle West Kayaking all guides must have:

-16-hour First Aid course or higher

-CPR “C” certification

-Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) for VHF Radio

-Completed a SKGABC level 1 or higher sea kayak guide course and written exam

Paddle West Kayaking also conducts extensive in house-training of all of our guides in order to practice skills specific to guiding in  Tofino  and  Ucluelet , as well as in-season rescue skills practice.

All new kayak guides must work under an experienced sea kayak guide for a specified number of trips before the new guide is able to guide alone.

Paddle West Kayaking maintains and stocks its own safety gear for guides and ensures the guides carry a First Aid Kit, Cell phone, VHF Radio, Extra Warm Clothes Bag, Repair Kit, Rope Systems for Towing, Manual Bilge Pump, Paddle Float.  

-Sea Kayaks are full-length touring Sea Kayaks that are stable and suitable for paddling on the West Coast.

-We provide comfortable certified PFD’s made in Canada by Salus Marine and an attached whistle.

-We provide Kayak “Skirts” that cover the cockpit that you sit in while paddling.

-We provide Dry Bags to keep your things safe.

• Chevron down Covid-19

In 2020,  Paddle West Kayaking  hosted many guests from across Canada with no exposures. We worked hard to modify our daily routines to keep our staff and our guests safe. Luckily, sea kayaking takes place outdoors and during our time on the water physical distancing is very easy to accomplish. Our policies were audited in person in 2020 by Work Safe BC, which allowed us to continue our safe operations. If you are at all concerned or would like to request more information, please ask. We look forward to paddling safely with you in 2021.

Our policies include:

-Covid-19 cancellation policy. If you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 you should cancel your tour and we will provide a full refund. We ask that if you cancel due to feeling unwell that you follow public health orders and recommendations to protect our community.

-Staff Illness Policies and Monitoring

-Additional office and washroom cleaning procedures

-Physical distancing maintained throughout check-in and while on the dock and on-water

-Mandatory masks indoors and on the dock and when passing other groups

-All common equipment is washed in hot soapy water, rinsed and hung to dry completely and rotated out of service for a minimum of 24 hrs.

-Kayaks and paddles are sanitized using disinfectant spray on all common touchpoints after each use

-Guides carry N95 masks and gloves for use in any first aid situations and are trained to use physically distanced kayak rescue techniques if appropriate.

• Chevron down Booking Policies & Waiver

Minimum Guest Requirements

Tours require a minimum of 2 guests for the tour to go out. You may book a tour as a single kayaker and if we cannot find a friend for you to paddle with, we will notify you and make other arrangements to get you out kayaking.

All participants will be required to sign a  waiver  before departing on a kayak tour with Paddle West Kayaking.

Booking Fees

In addition to the listed fees on this page, all bookings will have the additional fees added at checkout:

-6% Booking Fees (online only)

-$3 Tribal Park Fee (per person)

We did the four-hour rainforest tour which included 40 minutes on Meares Island (Big Tree Trail). Our tour guide was awesome, very knowledgeable, a good storyteller, stopped just the right amount to give us information and made the excursion for me. The Big Tree Trail is extremely cool and a must-see.

My 7-year-old granddaughter and I were nervous and excited to try our hand at ocean kayaking and with the expert advice and support of our guide we had the best time ever. From the island scenery to the beautiful hike over Meares Island to see 2000-year-old trees we were never scared, and always felt like we were getting more than our money's worth. A super experience.

My niece and I went out for a 4-hour paddle/hike to Meares Island. Paddling across the Harbor can look a bit daunting but our guide made sure everyone was comfortable. We saw an otter, lost of Intertidal zone life, seals and too many bald eagles to count. The tour of The Big Tree trail is beautiful and our guide was very passionate about the history and plant life on the island. Highly recommend.

Related Tours

• Hour Glass 2.5 hours
• User Ages 5+
• Map Marker Tofino

Tofino Islands Kayaking Tour

Explore areas of Clayoquot Sound that can only be accessed by sea kayak on a fully guided tour of Tofino’s inlet waters with Paddle West Kayaking.

• Hour Glass 2 nights • 3 days
• User Ages 4+

Tofino Multi-Day Kayaking Tour

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we go camping on Vargas Island in Clayoquot Sound and kayaking the surrounding waters for 2 nights and 3 days!

The paddle west Story:

Located on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia; Paddle West Kayaking offers sea kayak tours and kayak rentals out of the seaside communities of Tofino and Ucluelet. Originally founded in 2001 by Chris Bowers, the company was purchased in the Spring of 2010 by long time Paddle West guides/managers Ryan Rogers & Nick Benton. As of 2013, Ryan Rogers is the sole owner and operator of Paddle West Kayaking, leading a team of fantastic guides that offer an exceptional sea kayak experience.

Our goal at Paddle West is to provide you with a fun and informative wilderness kayaking experience, and to leave you with a sense of wonder with the breathtaking sights of one of the world’s premier kayaking destinations. On all of our kayak tours you’ll be provided with the necessary equipment and instruction for an enjoyable paddle.

Our tours are as educational as they are fun. While kayaking through the islands and waterways surrounding Tofino and Ucluelet, our experienced professional guides will touch on subjects such as rainforest and ocean ecology, local wildlife, the cultural and historical significance of the first nation peoples (Nuu-chah-nulth), and the sensitivity of environmental issues which have captured the attention of the world.

As paddlers and nature enthusiasts we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to live in such awe-inspiring surroundings as Clayoquot Sound (Tofino) and Barkley Sound (Ucluelet). Our reward as guides is not only to be able to explore this area we feel so passionate about on a daily basis, but to be able to share the sport we love and our knowledge of this spectacular place with travellers from around the world. With its stunning backdrop of old growth temperate rainforest, white sandy beaches & snow capped peaks, and its incredible abundance and diversity of life, the West Coast of Vancouver Island is one of the best places in the world to explore by kayak. At Paddle West we’ll provide you with the tools, experience and expertise to enjoy this stunning wilderness environment in the best way we know how — by sea kayak.

Paddle west is a proud Tribal Parks ally

Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Allies are local businesses that have committed to supporting the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation mission to foster a conservation economy .  Allies help to support and share the story of the Tribal Parks.

Every Ally supports the Tribal Parks by collecting a 1% Ecosystem Service Fee on behalf of the First Nation — those contributions are re-invested in the people and the ecology that comprise the life of this place. 

Paddle West aims to help visitors grasp the history of stewardship and activism that has helped to protect this beautiful and important region.

The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal parks story

Maaqutusiis stewardship society

Many of Paddle West’s tours operate in Ahousaht Territory — the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society aims to exercise sustainable management of the Territory. Select Paddle West tours and services (Viva Las Vargas 6-hour tour, multi-day tours, multi-day rentals) involve an ecosystem fee that support the Ahousaht Stewardship Fund. This fee allows for the continued stewardship and monitoring of Ahousaht lands and waters. 

Environmental Commitment:

In this day in age with an abundance of environmental challenges we believe it is important for businesses to take responsibility for the inevitable impact we have on our surroundings. At Paddle West we try to mitigate those impacts as much as possible by using practices such as “leave no trace” ethics on our tours, and using locally made equipment and materials as much as possible.

Paddle West is committed to the environment. Each year we donate 1% of annual gross income to environmental non-governmental organizations in Clayoquot Sound.

We also work to help educate the public on important issues such as temperate rainforest conservation and salmon conservation.  Each year Paddle West Kayaking donates 1% or more of its gross revenue to ENGO’s working on environmental conservation, education and sustainability. Organizations we have supported historically include:

The Raincoast Education Sociey is a community-based non profit society with a mission to help shape an environmentally sound future for the Clayoquot and Barkley Sound region through education and community stewardship. Funds go directly to environmental and cultural education programs, including their Young Naturalist  programs, and the “More than Just Mud” educacattion program about the Tofino Mudflats.

To learn more or to donate visit: www.raincoasteducation.org

The Western Canada Wilderness Committee is based out of Vancouver BC, and is the largest grassroots environmental non-profit organization in British Columbia. They work on a variety of conservation campaigns including the Clayoquot Campaign to which we donate. 

To learn more or to donate visit: www.wildernesscommittee.com

Other organizations we support:

We are happy to support Clayoquot Action a conservation organization committed to protecting the bio-cultural diversity of Clayoquot Sound. Clayoquot Action’s goals are achieved through public education, citizen research and monitoring, and advocacy. Clayoquot Action focuses much of their energy on the proposed copper mine on Catface Mountain, the proposed gold mine in Tranquil Inlet, raising awareness about tankers on the West Coast, and monitoring the effects of fish farms on wild salmon populations in Clayoquot Sound.

If you have visited the area by yourselves or been touched by the beauty through a kayak tour, please visit their website to learn more and if possible make a donation to the most effective ENGO on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Dan Lewis and Bonny Glambeck, the founders of Clayoquot Action are known for delivering entertaining and inspiring slide show·presentations on Clayoquot Sound. Check out Clayoquot: Sound of Freedom at the Clayoquot·Community Theatre in Tofino. This show is not to be missed! Find up to date show times here . 

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• Multi-day Tours