Black Bear Kayaking
Black Bear Kayaking
5
Boat ToursHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife ToursKayaking & Canoeing
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Full view
About
Since 2010 Black Bear Kayak provides Kayaking adventure and hiking tours departing from Tofino. Explore the rugged coasts of Clayoquot Sound and meet the wildlife at its doorstep. No experience required!
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
352 reviews
Excellent
339
Very good
7
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Oskar S
1 contribution
May 2022
This was the highlight of our trip to Vancouver Island! We were fortunate to stumble upon TJ and his tours as we wanted to do some kayaking around Tofino and the prospect of seeing black bears while being closely connected to the stunning landscape. We were fortunate to witness 12 bears (2 of which were cubs) in a very intimate and relaxed manner. If anyone is looking for a unique experience while visiting the western part of the island, I can highly recommend Black Bear Kayak. Plus, you likely get to see Sawyer (TJ's dog) enter a Kayak from a boat ;)
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AltabasTravels
London, UK271 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
My wife and I joined TJ and Sawyer the dog for a fantastic morning kayaking right out of Tofino with a family of four.
TJ was extremely friendly and fun the whole day and full of information. We learnt a great deal from him about the bears and other wildlife of the area as well as hearing his stories. He made sure we were all safe and happy with our kayaks and was attentive throughout the whole trip.
We took his boat out of Tofino and once we'd reached some distance out and closer to where the bears tend to be we hopped into the kayaks and started paddling around the coast and quickly encountered our first black bear. It was a truly magical experience paddling in the still calm waters whilst watching a black bear on the shoreline finding its breakfast. After a while we left the first black bear and explored more of the coastline. We were able to spot a second black bear but were not able to get as close as the first one.
Overall a really excellent and very memorable morning.
TJ was extremely friendly and fun the whole day and full of information. We learnt a great deal from him about the bears and other wildlife of the area as well as hearing his stories. He made sure we were all safe and happy with our kayaks and was attentive throughout the whole trip.
We took his boat out of Tofino and once we'd reached some distance out and closer to where the bears tend to be we hopped into the kayaks and started paddling around the coast and quickly encountered our first black bear. It was a truly magical experience paddling in the still calm waters whilst watching a black bear on the shoreline finding its breakfast. After a while we left the first black bear and explored more of the coastline. We were able to spot a second black bear but were not able to get as close as the first one.
Overall a really excellent and very memorable morning.
Written August 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kara R
27 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Incredible experience! This was one of the first “must do/ must see” experiences I came across in my Tofino research and I was not disappointed. We were so lucky to meet TJ and his lovely dog Sawyer and spend an extended morning with him touring Clayquot Sound with them. TJ’s knowledge and enthusiasm of the area is contagious and made for an interesting morning - even for my teenagers who became engaged in learning more! Not only did we spend a breathtaking up close and personal 10 minutes with a bear watching him overturn rocks along the beach looking for his breakfast but we saw jellyfish, seals, crabs, porpoise, bald eagles, and kelp! 😉 Being in the kayaks gliding through the water silently and getting close to the wildlife was the only way to go - and TJ is definitely the guide to take you!
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaely H
1 contribution
Sept 2020 • Couples
Had a great time doing the 4 hour kayaking tour to Meares Island with Shale (?) as our guide . Shale was super knowledgeable about the environment and wildlife in the area . Seen river otters, eagles, starfish and jellyfish while paddling along . Would highly recommend this company to anyone in Tofino looking for a awesome kayaking tour :)
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inez W
Noordwijk, The Netherlands1 contribution
May 2023
We had a fantastic morning. We are 2 adults en 2 kids (9 and 5 years old) Started at 6 AM with guide TJ (He didn't give his real German name, but we're betting on Tjark). Only wirh 2 others we made the tour. Brought further by boat and entered the kayak there. Enthusiastic and fun guide. Nice guy. We got lucky with 3 bears, 4 eagles, an otter and seals.
Written May 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julian E
Winchester, UK13 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
This was a fantastic trip. TJ and his lovely dog Sawyer took us to see 5 bears including a mother and cub. Kayaking means it’s really peaceful and you can get close without disturbing the bears. Highly recommend you do this trip….well worth the money.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy B
Reading, UK19 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
If you are gonna do a bear tour whilst in Tofino you simply have to choose TJs Black Bear Kayaking. Top marks from start to finish. TJ was great, friendly, patient & informative about the wildlife and local area. We had 3 bear sightings as well as a number of bald eagles, seals, minx and orhwr marine life star fish jelly fish and crabs. His canine companion Sawyer was a delight. I couldnt recommend this tour enough. Top top morning. Thanks TJ (& Sawyer).
Written July 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Outnabouteh
Tampa, FL7 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We had a blast with Eric on the 4hr Kayak Tour cruising around the harbour and seeing the ancient redwoods on Mears Island!! Eric was super knowledgeable and outgoing. He shared lots of info about and anecdotes about Tofino that made for a really informative and fun afternoon. Highly recommend checking this out!!
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will
Pershore, UK6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We had the most incredible time on our BBK tour with TJ and Sawyer. Logistics were well communicated in advance, and we were well briefed before setting off from the harbour. On the tour itself, we were lucky enough to see two black bears, viewing them from a respectful distance which meant we were able to watch them go about their business for a longer period of time. TJ was a knowledgeable guide and has an obvious passion for conservation and wildlife in general, which really added to the experience.
Overall, one of the highlights of our trip, and will be the first thing we book if we get to return!
Overall, one of the highlights of our trip, and will be the first thing we book if we get to return!
Written December 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charley Rich
52 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Absolutely amazing. TJ (the guide) was fantastic and this was the best tour we have ever done, a true Canadian experience! The day does start with a disclaimer about not seeing the bears, as obviously it is nature, but TJ did everything he could to get us to see the bears. The experience was honestly incredible - it was great to be so at one with nature, it was really peaceful and we got in such great proximity with nature. It felt like we were on a David Attenborough programme! I cannot recommend this tour more to anyone - so much better than doing it on a big boat! The boat ride to where you kayak is an added bonus too - really beautiful.
Written August 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you offering tours in October?
Written August 20, 2022
Hi, I wonder if the bear´s by kayak tour is for experience people since it is necessary to enter the kayak from boat. Besides, could you confirm if a double kayak is possible for this tour? Thanks
Written August 13, 2019
You don’t have to be experienced as the crew are and they tell you what to do when getting into the kayak at sea (and when getting out again). It really is the most fantastic once in a life time experience.
Written August 28, 2019
Just wondering whether you would recommend doing the bear tour in the morning or evening? Thanks in advance.
Written July 19, 2018
Depending on the tide. We went in the morning cause it was low tide, that's when bears come out to the shore to look for food so there's a higher chance to see them.
Written July 20, 2018
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