by Erin Linn McMullan

This March, the 38^th annual Pacific Rim Whale Fest is a west coast community celebration marking the return of ḿaaʔak (Eastern North Pacific Grey Whales or Eschrichtius robustus) to Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds. Director Sarah Watt points out that a duo of Grey whale males, known as “Marcus” or “Scarface” (CSG42) and “Pattern” (CSG23), are often seen synchronized feeding in spring in the Yaaqsis (Long Beach) area within the Indigenous co-managed Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Grey whales’ unique tail IDs enable easy identification.

Opportunities to witness the wonder and learn more about these magnificent cetaceans abound from visits to Bamfield Marine Science Centre and Thornton Creek Hatchery as well as talks from a Nuučaanuł/ perspective on teachings and from whale scientists on monitoring their migratory route and the crisis facing Grey whales.

This year, Maritime Kids Day features an immersive Sea dome displaying videos of whales and of tidal pools in the Pacific Northwest, along with touchable artifacts and the build-a-whale in both Tofino and Ucluelet.

Sarah shares 5 of her favourite local whale watching spots:

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FROM SHORE:

• ƛaakašiis (TONQUIN BEACH PARK) “THE PLACE WHERE WHALES LIKE TO STAND ON THE BEACH”

The Nuučaan̓uł name for this beach, ƛaakašiis (pronounced Tlaa-ka-shiis) translates as “the place where whales like to stand on the beach”. As Sarah points out, Tonquin Beach is a place where, especially on that sandbank offshore, the grey whales will rub themselves so sometimes you might get lucky and see them spyhopping.

Learn more about ƛaakašiis on the story map Here.

• načiqs (TOFINO) HARBOUR

načiqs (Tofino) Harbour can be an incredible place to watch whales with pods of resident kakaw̓in (orcas) passing right by the First Street dock near the icehouse. “We have a whale-watching notification group for land base whale-watching in the community which is pretty cool,” says Sarah, emphasizing what a special moment it can be to witness.

Download the Whale Report app Here.

• AMPHITRITE LIGHTHOUSE ON THE WILD PACIFIC TRAIL, UCLUELET 

The fest hosts whale spotting in several locations, including at Amphitrite Point Lighthouse with Parks Canada, DFO, and Ucluelet Aquarium on hand to supply fun whale facts. Sarah points out that anywhere on the Wild Pacific Trail, from the Lighthouse Loop to the Rocky Bluffs overlook offers a great vantage point.

View the events calendar Here and the Wild Pacific Trail Map Here.

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ON THE WATER:

• wanačas hiłḥuuʔis (MEARES ISLAND)  

This past year we had a Grey whale feeding up around Meares Island for several months, relates Sarah. The whale, who hasn’t been identified in this area before, has yet to receive an official name. It was sighted on days when there were big swells outside and the water was calm up the inlet where it fed and fluked its tail to viewers’ delight. 

Book a nature tour around Meares Island (March only) Here.

• COW BAY OFF FLORES ISLAND

In the summer, Cow Bay off Flores Island is a beautiful spot, suggests Sarah, with sometimes a dozen whales feeding in one area. The abundance of whales allows whale watching boats to spread out, observing mandatory distances and allowing them to feed peacefully.  

Book an Indigenous-led whale watching tour Here.

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