Whilst October is the tail end of the main season in Tofino (mainly because the weather is less predictable), people are still offering Whale watching trips to any would-be adventurers!
Six of us enquired at the Weigh West Marine Resort where we were staying, on a drizzly morning - wondering whether anyone would be prepared to go on a trip. It seemed however that it didn't matter that it was only our group interested, we could have a boat to ourselves and a skipper who knew his way for $80 (Canadian) each. This was great in itself as, quite selfishly, we would be sharing our experience with each other only, not a group of strangers.
On our good ship Close Encounters II (a lime green speed boat with an enclosed cabin), we went on our own adventure to where the whales are known to feed.
After an exhilarating, wind-in-your-hair, raised-hull cruise for 30 minutes, we were taken to the shores of uninhabited islands (Meares) - with everyone on the platform at the stern of the boat, looking out for any bears, eagles and more importantly whales.
We were greeted by three whales - all feeding, diving, spraying from their spouts and waving their tailfins before plunging further into the ocean.
Our skipper was very knowledgeable, he kept our distance and respected their space. They didn't seem to mind our presence and, in fact, I think they were playing hide and seek with us at times.
Leaving the whales behind, we took a trip into the more oceanic waters (a bit more ropey and rough) to see some basking sea lions. The noise they made was so loud and piercing. The sight was fantastic - and an unexpected extra.
The whole trip was over two hours - and it is an experience which will be forever engraved on my mind. Try it, that is all I can recommend! I hope you get out of it, at least, what I did!