Whale Festival Events

"Whale Quest Tofino"

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location:  Boathouse @ Wharf Street

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

Get to know your local whales in print and paint!

A whale ID activity; developed in co-operation with The Pacific Wildlife Foundation.

When researchers watch whales, they often know "who's who" – now you can too!  Learn how researchers ID gray whales, and what this can tell them about the individual life histories of these fascinating, friendly whales.

Dr. Jim Darling of  The Pacific Wildlife Foundation has observed and photographed gray whales in Clayoquot Sound for over two decades.  Building the photo ID record of Clayoquot's summer-resident whales has now become a community effort, with valuable records contributed each year by local whale watch guides.  Dr. Darling's work helps us learn about Two-Dot Star, Admiral and some of their friends -- gray whales who choose to return to Clayoquot and nearby waters year after year.

Activities: Gray Whale ID matching; tail & profile painting

(suitable for children 8-12 yrs)

"Vancouver Island Whales

& Whale Researchers"

Parts 1 & 2

Part 1

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location:  Boathouse @ Wharf Street

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

"Island of Whales " (1 hr. / NFB 1989) 'Best Canadian Documentary 1991' Come aboard the John Muir, a double-masted, 68-foot sailing schooner, and join five of the world's leading whale reseachers on a scientific expedition around Canada's Vancouver Island.  Spectacular photography and sound recording, both above and below the water, provide an intimate look at killer, gray, and humpback whales, and the world they inhabit.  (Partly filmed in Tofino.)

Part 2

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Clayoquot Community Theatre

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

"Realm of the Killer Whales " (1 hr. / Ocean Wilds series, PBS 2001)  In spring, the waters off British Columbia greet the arrival of two great hordes from the open sea - herring and salmon.  Predators join in a harvesting frenzy, but none are as efficient in their hunts as the region's pods of killer whales.  Filmaker Feodor Pitcairn films a side of these powerful creatures few see - their efforts to maintain a close family life.  Features lthe work of several Vancouver Island whale reseachers whom we first met in the 1989 documentary "Island of Whales."

"Wet & Wild - Marine Research on the West Coast" 

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location:  Boathouse @ Wharf Street

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

Marine mammal biologist and independent researcher Wendy Szaniszlo shares her adventures studying whales and sea lions in local waters.  Curious which whales hang out in Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds?  Wonder why Long Beach rocks are so important for Steller sea lions?  Follow the Wharf St. boardwalk to 'the big red boathouse' to find out!

"Assist a Marine Researcher" Tour

Departure time: 2:15 p.m

Trip duration: 2.5-3 hours

Cost:  adults $79 / children $59*

Still want to learn more about marine mammals in a hands-on environment?  Reserve a place on this special boat tour with biologist Wendy Szaniszlo.  Join an interactive, research-oriented trip and see how the science gets done!  Participants will assist with data collection, and are encouraged to ask lots of questions.

     * add $1 research contribution + gst

Reservations required / call 725-3330 (toll free 1-800-666-9833)

Whale Festival Parade Day!

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Location:  Campbell St., Tofino (4th St. to 1st St.)

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

Join the fun .  Snacks & hot dogs to follow in the Legion parking lot (Main St.)

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location:  Boathouse @ Wharf Street

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

"A Whales' Tale" (1 hr. / Incredible Animal Journeys series, BBC 2006) After a five-month fast in tropical waters off Mexico, Gray whales migrate along the Pacific coast of North America to cold, food-rich northern waters off BC & Alaska.  The filmmakers travel up the coast with a mother and calf on their 10,000 km journey from Baja to Alaska -- one of the longest migrations on earth.  The whales survive encounters with great white sharks and transient killer whales, and find their way through busy harbours.  Includes underwater film of grey whales feeding.

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location:  Boathouse @ Wharf Street

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

"Tidal Seas" (1 hr. / 2003)  The sun and moon move billions of tons of water with every turn of the tide.  The strongest tides empty entire bays, smash trees on riverbanks and strand sea creatures on suddenly dry land.  Weaker tides control the movements of huge numbers of fish, coaxing schools of giant stingrays through astounding underwater arches.  And as the water recedes the tide can create unbelievable landscapes -- like a sparkling world of salt crystals inhabited only by tiny shrimp and bright pink flamingos.

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location:  Boathouse @ Wharf Street

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

"Humpback Whales" (1 hr. / PBS 2000)  Spanning the Pacific from the inlets of the Alaskan coast to the Polynesian Islands and the shores of Antarctica, Humpback Whales presents a multi-faceted portrait of this fascinating marine mammal.  These whales travel vast distances to take advantage of the best breeding and feeding spots, and carry with them the mystery of an ever-changing song.

Of special interest to us on the west coast, as humpback whales have only recently returned to our nearshore waters.  This film also documents Dr. Jim Darling's study of humpback song in Hawaii, and Flip and Chuck Nicklins' extraodinary work photographing these graceful, enigmatic leviathans over many years.

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location:  Boathouse @ Wharf Street

Cost:  Free "Button Event"

"A Whales' Tale" (1 hr. / Incredible Animal Journeys series, BBC 2006) After a five-month fast in tropical waters off Mexico, Gray whales migrate along the Pacific coast of North America to cold, food-rich northern waters off BC & Alaska.  The filmmakers travel up the coast with a mother and calf on their 10,000 km journey from Baja to Alaska -- one of the longest migrations on earth.  The whales survive encounters with great white sharks and transient killer whales, and find their way through busy harbours.  Includes underwater film of grey whales feeding.