Ever see a clip go viral of a pod of orcas or dolphins passing by Jericho Beach or West Van and thought, ‘that should have been me?!’ Well, this may be your chance to live out your wildest whale-watching fantasies. The annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival in Ucluelet is a beloved week-long tradition celebrating the return of the Pacific Grey Whales to B.C. waters, and you won’t want to miss it!
Taking place from March 15 to March 23, 2025, the festival marks the time of year when migrating whales return to the coastal waters of Tofino, Ucluelet, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. So pack your bags and get ready to book that last-minute ferry ride to the island – because this is one of the most highly-anticipated outdoor events of the year for a reason.
While their return is typically preceded by the sun’s warmth on the water, we’ll just have to hope they join us anyway!
About the festival
According to Tourism Ucluelet, the migrating Gray whales join resident Gray whales, orcas, humpbacks, and the occasional minke that can be seen in these Pacific Northwest waters year-round. The festival celebrates their reunion every March with a series of events for the whole family to enjoy.
This includes a Maritime Kids Day in Tofino, a ‘Baleen Bash’ on the final night of the festival, and a first-ever Parade of Whales and Wonder accompanied by Vancouver Island Concert Band, which will wind its way through the heart of Tofino.
“Come in your best wonders of the ocean costume, and bring your friends, your pets, and your props as we celebrate the opening of the festival,” says festival organizers on their website. “Protect our coast, and make sure to borrow, upcycle and reuse materials for your costumes and floats!”
The festival’s website notes that the celebration will continue at the Tofino Community Hall with an indoor market filled with local products, arts, and crafts.
The longest annual migration of any animal in the world
After spending the cold winter months in the warm waters engulfing the Baja Peninsula breeding, around 20,000 magnificent Gray whales are making the 13,000-kilometre trek north, as stated by Tourism Ucluelet.
After passing by the slow-warming waters off the coast of Vancouver Island, the whales will continue their journey northward to the “fruitful waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas, near the Arctic on the longest annual migration of any animal in the world.” Here, they’ll “feed heartily,” making up for lost time.
Ucluelet stays
Whether you’re in search of a last-minute spot for the duration of the festival or want to make travel plans for later in the spring or summer, there are a handful of fantastic stays in the area to make note of. In addition to the renowned Wickaninnish Inn at Chesterman Beach in Tofino, there are some top-notch Airbnb options, including an oceanside design home, rated a guest favourite in Ucluelet.
Beaches & hiking
While Tofino might take the title of Surf Capital of Canada, Ucluelet offers visitors plenty of sprawling, sandy beaches to roam at their leisure. From Terrace Beach to Big Beach Picnic Park, to Little Beach, there’s something for every kind of beach lover worth exploring.
And if you’d rather embark on a coastal hike, we don’t blame you a bit. The Wild Pacific Trail is well-known for its stunning views of the Broken Group Islands, Barley Sound, and Amphritrite Point, taking hikers along nine kilometres of Ucluelet’s world-famous coastline. And it doesn’t hurt that it was voted the #1 Thing to Do on Vancouver Island by TripAdvisor!
Ready to embark on your whale-watching trip? Whether you visit during the festival or not, your chances are pretty high this time of year!
Happy adventuring.
Pacific Rim Whale Festival – Ucluelet, B.C.
When: Saturday, March 15 to 23, 2025
Where: Locations in Ucluelet and Tofino, B.C.
Cost: Free and ticketed events
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