Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centre - Ucluelet

Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centre - Ucluelet

Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centre - Ucluelet
4.5
Boat ToursSightseeing ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife ToursKayaking & Canoeing
About
Jamie's Whaling Station has been offering authentic, family-friendly eco-adventures since 1982. We are your connection to Whales, Bears, and Hot Springs Cove in Tofino & Ucluelet. Join us for one of many adventures on our larger family-friendly vessels or on our fast-paced Zodiac vessels. We also offer Kayaking tours through our partner Paddle West Kayaking. Whatever West Coast adventure you're looking for we're ready to get you out on the water to create some lifelong memories.
Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023

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(38 reviews)

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

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles488 reviews
Excellent
401
Very good
58
Average
17
Poor
9
Terrible
3

SvenskTjej
Southampton, UK117 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This boat trip was the highlight of our Canadian holiday! We knew there was a risk of not seeing any whales but we got very lucky and saw both grey whales and humpback whales. We followed one for about a half hour as she kept surfacing along the shoreline of one island. Aside from that there was an eagle, harbour seals and sea lions to enjoy. Brilliant few hours in the water!!
Written 14 October 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.
Thank you for your review and rating! So happy that your time out here on the West Coast was a highlight of your trip to Canada. We may be a bit bias but, the West Coast is the most beautiful place in Canada... So exciting that you spotted two different species of whales. They are starting their migration south for the winter and we can still see them for another several weeks as they pass. We hope you made some magical memories and will visit us again soon! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 18 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Peter V
Market Bosworth, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Really great trip, thank you Willow.

Informative talk about species and habits. Loved the sea otter. It was great to hear about the behaviours of the animals.

Boat comfortable and we saw all the wildlife I had hoped to.

All around a great trip
Written 12 October 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.
Thank you for your review and rating! Glad that you enjoyed your adventure with Willow and that she was able to share lots of information about the area and wildlife. We have a large variety of vessels, so we have what guests need while onboard for their comfort and safety! It was our pleasure to be able to take you out for an adventure! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 18 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Katlien D
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
We did the "Ucluelet Bear Watching - Cabin Cruiser Tour" and had a great time! We saw a bald eagle, 2 see otters, a lot of seals and sealions and after a long search mama bear with 2 cubs (from a distance) who were eating oysters. Big surprise was a whale who kept flapping its tail close to our boat, an amazing and unique view! We got very lucky. Nice staff. Beautiful views allover. Highly recommend this tour.
Written 4 October 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.
Thank you for your review and 5 star rating. So happy to hear you enjoyed your bear cruise in Ucluelet and that you were able to spot a mama bear with her cubs! So cute! Spotting a whale as well, that sounds like a 2 for 1 experience! What an exciting trip! Thank you for mentioning our staff as well, we are committed to our guests experience while visiting with us. Hope you can come again soon! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 10 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Anne B
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We went on a zodiac tour for bear watching, it was awesome! As you would say in Canada! We saw three bears, in the zodiacs you can get in much closer to watch the bears. We also saw two humpback whales, lots of sea lions and otters. Our guide was excellent she was very knowledgeable and we learned so much. We were given survival suits and jackets to wear so we were all very toastie! A brilliant experience.
Written 30 September 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.
Hi Anne, Thank you for your review and for the 5 star rating. So glad to hear you had an awesome adventure with us out on the water and were able to spot a few bears as well as some humpback whales! Very lucky to see both animals on your trip but of course it can happen in the wild. Thank you for mentioning your guide as well, our team are committed to the experience of our guests. We hope you enjoyed the comfort of the survival suits and felt safe while on board. It was a pleasure to have you join us and we look forward to you next visit! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julie W
Chapel-en-le-Frith, UK21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Fantastic weather was a bonus. Zodiac boat was quite exciting! Californian sealions whet our appetites. Our captain Camillo charmed no less than 5 lengthy bear sightings for us. We were lucky to get close up. We could hear the bears rummaging in the oysters. One even took a swim to get to where he/she wanted to be, shaking the water off once on dry land. One of the best experiences I have had in my almost 60 years. It was also nice not to be press ganged into tipping (these trips are expensive- justifiably- but we aren’t all awash with cash!). I felt sorry for the poor woman on reception- manning the phone and all the arrivals, including a couple who were booked in at Tofino…hope they got a successful trip.
Written 20 September 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.
Hi Julie, Thank you very much for your detailed review and 5 star rating. So pleased to hear that you got to see some fantastic west coast weather during your visit. We can get some pretty nasty storms on the west coast throughout the year. Camillo is one of our best crew members, and he is very passionate about what he does, sharing the knowledge of our coastal home. Seeing the bear swim must have been quite the sight! Not something seen on every tour for sure. Our front desk crew is extremly capable and we are always able to manage the needs of our guests both in the office and on the phone. We hope you made some magical memories of your time and will join us again in the future! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

anne m
London, UK12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Excellent trip. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we saw grey and humpback whales, sea lions and sea otters. Great, memorable activity. We’ll worth it
Written 17 September 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.
Hello Anne, Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you had an excellent trip and that our knowledgeable guide enhanced your experience. Witnessing grey and humpback whales, along with sea lions and sea otters, certainly makes for a memorable activity. We truly appreciate your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back for more worthwhile adventures in the future! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 20 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kelvin R
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
We took two trips with Jamie's Whaling on consecutive days, both on the zodiac boat. The first was the bear watching and the second Whale watching. It was encouraging that their boathouse had a chart showing the daily encounters, bears and whales each day.

We managed to get really close to the bears at two separate locations whilst the bear were searching for food and eating on the shore. The placid waters by the shore meant photography is relatively easy. We were VERY fortunate to encounter Orca on our way back to the boathouse.

On the Whale cruise before searching for whales we encountered Sea Lions, Seals and Sea Otters as they rested in known locations. It then took a long time, a number of locations and some very fast boating to find where the whales were feeding that day. It relies very much on local knowledge of previous encounters. It took all eyes on board to spot them. Tracking current whale activity seemed rather hit and miss. When we found them, we were quite a distance away (not surprising) so a zoom lens is thoroughly recommended. At long distance with the boat moving with the waves, photography needs a good technique. Unfortunately I did not get a close up of one of the more spectacular Humpback Whale breaches.
Written 12 September 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.
Hello Kelvin, Thank you for sharing your detailed experience of taking two consecutive trips with Jamie's. It's great to hear that you had the opportunity to get close to bears during the bear-watching tour and that the placid waters by the shore made photography relatively easy. Encountering Orcas on your way back must have been an incredible bonus. They are always a nice surprise when they show up! We appreciate your feedback regarding the whale-watching tour. Finding whales can be a bit of a quest, relying on our knowledgeable crew and previous encounters to seek out where they might be on any given day. We always keep a minimum distance from whales (100m) and other wildlife (50m) depending on their behavior, to ensure their safety and ours. A good zoom lens is a great recommendation! Thank you for choosing Jamie's Whaling, and we hope you have some wonderful memories from your adventures with us. We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you back for more wildlife encounters in the future! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 20 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jkden
Bentveld, The Netherlands31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
A wonderful 3 hour Zodiac tour finaly showed us bears after 14 days in Canada. Well guided and with lots of additional information Willow was the perfect host and skipper. A great experience in a fantastic scenery.
Written 30 August 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.
Hello, Thank you for your review and for the 5 stars! We are so glad you were finally able to see a bear while joining us for a tour. While Canada is home to several species of bear, the Coastal Black Bear on Vancouver Island is a very unique species and special to watch! There are estimated to be about 7000 individual bears on the island. We hope you left with some magical memories of your time on the west coast! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 10 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jonathan T
Bedford, UK32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
This was a really excellent bear watching trip. We have been with Jamie’s twice before ( some years ago ) and they have always been first class. The staff at check in were welcoming, friendly and efficient. The pilot was very friendly, helpful and really knowledgable. We saw three bears, sea otters, lots of seals and sea lions, as well as two bald eagles and a couple of herons. And all of this in the beautiful waters surrounding Ucluelet. Well worth the ticket price.
Written 25 August 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.
Hello Jonathan, Thank you very much for your detailed review about your trip and the 5 stars. So glad that you had an excellent trip to watch the coastal black bear feed along the coast line in Ucluelet. Our staff in the office and on board are always focusing on comfort and service and we appreciate your mention of that as well as the return visit. In our 40+ year history, we always enjoy retuning guests who continue to have memorable adventures with us. We look forward to your next visit! Kindly, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 27 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Massimo M
3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
we booked the 3 hours bear watching tour. The company was out with 2 boats and they were not communicating to share information about possible sightseeing. After the 1st bear encounter, the trip changed with the captain speeding up to go back to Uclelet port without any reason. I was the one informing the captain about a 2nd bear on the beach (with my binocular). After that, again at full speed we return to the port with 20 mins earlier: in a 3 hours tour is quite a big difference. Few informations were given by the guide during the tour, we felt like she was in a rush to go home and finish the day! Not recommended.
Written 19 August 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.
Hello, Thank you for letting us know about your experience on the bear watching tour. We apologize for any perceived "rush" in the tour. Our bear tours are 2.5 to 3 hours in length as advertised. We aim to provide a full and comprehensive experience, and we're sorry that you felt this wasn't reflected in your tour with us. Our vessels both communicate with each other while out on the water as well as other companies who might be out on the water at any given time. Our goal is to share the information on where wildlife is located, we want all guests, weather ours or not, to be able to see these magnificent creates foraging for food. Our crew are extremely knowledgeable as you can read from our other reviews and do not hesitate to share what they know and have learned with guests while on board. As the skipper is also driving the vessel, there may be times when the skipper is focused on driving to a particular area before being able to stop and safely share information or point things out to guests on board. I would like to have more information regarding your tour. If you can please email me the date and time of your trip so that I can look into it further, I would appreciate it. Thank you, Kelso Visitor Experience Manager
Written 26 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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JAMIE'S WHALING STATION AND ADVENTURE CENTRE - UCLUELET - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go