Open Daily | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Free by donation | All Ages Welcome

Daily Interpretive topics can be explored from the new Interpretive Centre overlooking the iconic Amphitrite Lighthouse. Learn about the Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, and the array of ecosystems on the Pacific Rim!

Step inside and discover the wonders of the Wild Pacific! The interpretive centre is open to all ages for drop-in exploration, where you can learn about local marine life, coastal ecosystems, and Ucluelet’s natural history.

Monday–Friday: Hosted by the Raincoast Education Society
Saturday–Sunday: Hosted by Wild Pacific Trail Society

Bring your curiosity and your nature questions! Friendly naturalists will be there to share stories, point out fascinating wildlife, and help you connect with the incredible biodiversity of the region. No registration required; come anytime between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Souvenir items are for sale.

Storm Watching from the shelter of Amphitrite House is a new attraction.

This three-hour orientation session delivers the “big picture” of living in Tofino. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.

This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.

Registration is required - register here!

The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino.  The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

EDUCATE ~ INSPIRE ~ ENTERTAIN

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is an annual event celebrating the return of Pacific Grey Whales to the West coast of Vancouver Island on their Northern migration route. The week-long festival hosts a number of fun events throughout Tofino, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim National Park.

Check out their website for more details and schedule of events: Pacific Rim Whale Festival | March 14-21, 2026 | Tofino & Ucluelet, BC

Take part in a creative workshop led by Tla-o-qui-aht artist Ivy Cargill-Martin in partnership with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival. Participants will have the opportunity to design, carve, and print their own whale linocut, or create a design of their choice.

Get your tickets: Pay what you can, min donation $25

Linocut, also called lino printing, is a printmaking method where a design is carved into a linoleum block. The carved block is then rolled with ink using a brayer (a handheld ink roller) and pressed onto paper or fabric to create a print.

A suggested $25 donation is requested to participate, and all materials will be supplied. Only 10 spots available.

About Ivy:

Born on Vancouver Island and raised on an off-grid float house in her own Tla-o-qui-aht Territory, Ivy has grown up with two very artistic parents. Her mother Robin Cargill, a “jill of all trades” in the art world, and her father Carl Martin, a Tla-o-qui-aht master canoe carver. From a young age, she found inspiration in every direction and was drawn to art as a form of self-expression. She learnt different techniques and art forms from her parents, friends, and family. Her explorations of drawing and painting grew to include carving, crochet, embroidery, block printing, jewelry, sculpture, and even traditional hand poked tattoos. She is constantly looking for new inspiration through art and expanding her artistic portfolio.

Join Dr. Jim Darling for an update on the status of Eastern North Pacific grey whales following the recently concluded Unusual Mortality Event (UME). Beginning in 2019, the UME marked a significant decline in grey whale numbers, with hundreds of strandings recorded along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico. Although the event was officially declared over in 2023, questions remain about the population’s recovery and long-term outlook.

Tickets: Button Event, $10 adults, $5 children. Buttons get you access to all events throughout the week.

Suitable for: Adults and students. Young children are welcome but the material presented goes beyond an introductory level and may be best suited for older students and adults.

In this presentation, Dr. Jim Darling will share the latest findings from scientists Dr. Steve Swartz, Dr. Jorge Urban and Dr. Sue Moore; researchers on the ground who have been closely monitoring calf production, body condition, and overall whale numbers. Recent observations point to continued challenges, including low reproductive rates and fewer mother-calf pairs than historically observed.

This talk was first presented live at Whale Tales, for Whale Trust.

About the Speaker

Dr. Jim Darling is a marine biologist with more than four decades of experience studying whales, particularly gray whales of the North Pacific. He is a co-founder of the research and education organization Whale Trust and has led long-term whale research programs throughout the Pacific. His work focuses on whale behavior, population monitoring, and conservation science, and he is widely recognized for his decades-long commitment to understanding and protecting grey whales.

Join the Tofino Arts Council his ocean-focused workshop for a morning of drawing marine creatures with Natasha van Netten! 

Tickets are $50 | Register HERE

This workshop will begin at the Orange Door Gallery where the instructor will provide a brief introduction to observational drawing and will guide you through a series of short projects to help strengthen your ability to draw what you see - including a specially curated touch tank provided by the Ucluelet Aquarium! Then the workshop will walk down the street to the Aquarium where you will have the opportunity to spend time closely observing sea creatures and sketching them from life. During this portion of the workshop, participants will be encouraged to find creatures and specimens that they are interested in drawing, and the instructor will be on hand to offer support and guidance. This workshop is well-suited for people with little or no drawing experience, as well as those who draw regularly. 

• This event is for adults (and mature teens)

• All supplies are included (and you get to take them home with you)

• Aquarium admission included

• 10 am - 1 pm (soft ending, so if you can leave a bit early if you need to, or can stay longer and keep drawing)

This workshop is created in collaboration with the Pacific Rim Arts Society, the Ucluelet Aquarium, and hosted by the Tofino Arts Council.  

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the instructor:natashavannettendesigns@gmail.com or on Instagram: @n_van_netten

Nature journaling consists of capturing our observations about the natural world from direct observation. It is a multidisciplinary activity that uses pictures, words, and numbers and that includes curricular tie-ins for science & the arts! You do not need to be an artist to keep a nature journal. All you need is a pencil and a sketchbook... and curiosity!

This event is outdoors on the beach and rocks; suitable footwear is recommended. 

• Family-friendly; children must be supervised by an adult. 
• Art Supplies, you can bring your own OR a limited amount will be available for purchase from Bea onsite for $5, cash only.
• Suggested art supplies for activity: 2B graphite pencils, 8.5 x 5.5 in paper sketch book, water-soluble colour pencils (brand CRAYOLA works well), magnifying lenses, transparent ruler. 
• Button event: Suggested donation of $10 Adults 19+, $5 Children + Concessions (By purchasing a button, it gives you access to all button events and raises funds for PRWF).

About the instructor Bea Martin:

Bea is a science illustrator (CMI, certified medical illustrator), visual storyteller, and the recipient of the 2024 Richmond Arts Award in Arts Education. With a multidisciplinary background in art and science, Bea loves observing and sketching wildlife from direct observation. As an educator, she shares her passion for the natural world with her students and supports their creativity, curiosity, and artistic development with genuine curiosity and endless enthusiasm.

Photo credit: Sam Phillips

Winter swell and currents bring in marine debris to our shoreline every year. Help Surfrider Pacific Rim keep our beaches clean whilst also learning how to use the information we collect from the beach, to take action and prevent debris from entering the water in the first place.

Meet in the Comber's Beach parking lot at 9 am for a safety briefing before heading to the beach. Ensure that you have a valid National Park entry pass

Tickets: Free

Suitable for all ages. Make sure to dress for the weather conditions, and children must be supervised by adults.

Photo Credit: Andi Wardrop

Join Parks Canada Marine Biologist, Katrina Kushneryk, and artist Bea Martin for Nature Journaling - Animal Signs. The beaches are home to many creatures, marine and terrestrial, and whilst we can’t always see them, there will be signs! You will learn about animal tracks and clues, and since it’s whale fest, we will highlight connections on the beach to the whales just offshore!

This event is outdoors on the beach and rocks; suitable footwear is recommended.

• Family-friendly, children must be supervised by an adult.

• Art Supplies, you can bring your own, or a limited amount will be available to borrow

• Suggested art supplies for activity: 2B graphite pencils, 8.5 x 5.5 in paper sketch book, water-soluble colour pencils (brand CRAYOLA works well), magnifying lenses, transparent ruler.

• Free

Nature journaling consists of capturing our observations about the natural world from direct observation. It is a multidisciplinary activity that uses pictures, words, and numbers and that includes curricular tie-ins for science & the arts! You do not need to be an artist to keep a nature journal. All you need is a pencil and a sketchbook... and curiosity!

About the instructor Bea Martin:

Bea is a science illustrator (CMI, certified medical illustrator), visual storyteller, and the recipient of the 2024 Richmond Arts Award in Arts Education. With a multidisciplinary background in art and science, Bea loves observing and sketching wildlife directly. As an educator, she shares her passion for the natural world with her students and supports their creativity, curiosity, and artistic development with genuine curiosity and endless enthusiasm.

Join interpreter Silva Johansson as she leads you along the Wild Pacific Trail past the "Pass of Melfort" shipwreck site to the lighthouse that was built as a result. History comes to life in the story of the sinking of the "Pass of Melfort", the tragic event that inspired the building of the lighthouse. Learn about the wild storms and coastal geography that doomed so many ships and survivors in the “Graveyard of the Pacific”.  

Family Friendly

Button Event

Embark on a day of maritime exploration at Maritime Kids Day, a special event proudly supported by Remote Passages Marine Excursions. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for children and families to engage with the wonders of the marine world.

Maritime Kids Day features a variety of hands-on educational activities designed for all ages. Join the Pacific Rim Whale Festival for an immersive experience in interactive learning that fosters curiosity and wonder for our marine ecosystem.

This year, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival is excited to host the SEA DOME with the Ocean Wise team. This 6-metre, portable inflatable planetarium is designed for immersive education about ocean conservation. It features 360-degree, 4K video, showing marine environments like kelp forests, alongside expert-led, hands-on learning with artifacts, aimed at empowering youth to protect the ocean

Plus learn about our coastal ecosystem with Parks Canada, Ocean Networks Canada, DFO and Build-A-Whale with Redd Fish Restoration.

Free face painting with Ethereal Face Painting.

Join this event for a family-friendly day of discovery, where children can explore, learn, and appreciate the marine wonders that surround us. Maritime Kids Day is a celebration of the next generation's connection to the ocean. Be part of this exciting day of maritime education and fun!

Cost: Button Event. Adults $10, Children and concessions $5

Experience the thrill of coastal exploration at Whale Spotting From Shore, an exciting event at Amphitrite Point. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to witness the majesty of marine life as whales make their migration along the coast.

Take a walk and meet marine biologists and naturalists at Amphitrite Point. This family-friendly event welcomes everyone to come and learn more about the marine ecosystem and the incredible journey of grey whales. If you're lucky, you might even spot some whale spouts as they make their way up the coast.

This event is more than just whale watching; it's an educational adventure where experts share their knowledge and insights about the behaviours and habits of these magnificent creatures. Bring your curiosity and enthusiasm for marine life and join the Pacific Rim Whale Festival for an unforgettable experience along the Wild Pacific Trail.

Special Guests: Parks Canada, Wild Pacific Trail Society, Raincoast Education Society

Event Type: Family Friendly

Tickets: Button event $10 Adults 19+, $5 children, and concessions. (By purchasing a button, this gives you access to all button events throughout the festival week and raises funds to support PRWF activities.)

With Mark Sawyer, Whales of Clayoquot & Barkley

A new research initiative is taking flight off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Join marine researcher Mark Sawyer for an introduction to Flights Over Greys, an innovative project using aerial drone technology to assess the health and body condition of grey whales feeding in the coastal waters of Clayoquot Sound and Barkley Sound.

While grey whales are widely known for their long migrations, a growing number spend extended periods feeding along Vancouver Island’s west coast. This new project aims to better understand how these whales are faring in a changing ocean environment. By collecting high-resolution aerial images, researchers can measure body condition, monitor scarring and entanglement, and track individual whales over time, all without disturbing them.

Mark will share how drone-based photogrammetry works, what early field seasons are revealing, and why monitoring local feeding whales is critical following recent population declines in the broader Eastern North Pacific grey whale population. The presentation will also explore how community collaboration, long-term observation, and emerging technologies are reshaping whale research on our coast.

About the Speaker
Mark Sawyer is a head guide at Jamie’s Whaling Station and founder of Whales of Clayoquot & Barkley, a research and education initiative focused on grey whales and other marine mammals along Vancouver Island’s west coast. His work combines field research, photo-identification, and community engagement to advance understanding and conservation of local whale populations.

Tickets: Button on the door. $10 Adults / $5 Children and Concessions

Suitable for: Adults and students. Young children are welcome, but the material presented goes beyond an introductory level and may be best suited for older students and adults.

Photo credit: Sarah Watt

Embark on a day of maritime exploration at Maritime Kids Day, a special event proudly supported by Remote Passages Marine Excursions. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for children and families to engage with the wonders of the marine world.

Maritime Kids Day features a variety of hands-on educational activities designed for all ages. Join the Pacific Rim Whale Festival for an immersive experience in interactive learning that fosters curiosity and wonder for our marine ecosystem.

This year, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival is excited to host the SEA DOME with the Ocean Wise team. This 6-metre, portable inflatable planetarium is designed for immersive education about ocean conservation. It features 360-degree, 4K video, showing marine environments like kelp forests, alongside expert-led, hands-on learning with artifacts, aimed at empowering youth to protect the ocean

Plus learn about our coastal ecosystem with Parks Canada, Ocean Networks Canada, DFO and Build-A-Whale with Redd Fish Restoration.

Free face painting with Ethereal Face Painting.

Cookie decorating by Gray Whale Deli.

Join this event for a family-friendly day of discovery, where children can explore, learn, and appreciate the marine wonders that surround us. Maritime Kids Day is a celebration of the next generation's connection to the ocean. Be part of this exciting day of maritime education and fun!

Cost: Button Event. Adults $10, Children and concessions $5

Raincoast Education Society is excited to host their 2026 Speaker Series, Incredible Journeys, featuring guest speakers exploring the science behind some of the planet’s most remarkable migrations.

Register for this FREE online session HERE.

Dr. Aimée Lang will present insights into the status of eastern North Pacific gray whales based on monitoring whales on their migratory route and also highlight the importance of understanding movement patterns and migratory connectivity for effective conservation and management.

About the speaker:  Dr. Aimée first began studying gray whales in 2002, when she began her Ph.D. work through the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She spent the next six summers collecting photographs and biopsies from the gray whales that feed off Sakhalin Island, Russia. After completing her PhD, she continued to work on gray whales at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, where most of her research focuses on using genetic and genomic tools to better understand the behavior and population structure of marine mammals. She also leads the field component of SWFSC’s two shore-based surveys to monitor abundance and calf production in the eastern North Pacific gray whale population.

Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Join this event for cultural teachings followed by an exposition of whalebone tools by Nicki Love McCarthy of Hesquiaht First Nation and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ. 

In partnership with Parks Canada - Pacific Rim National Park.

Suitable for all ages.

Please ensure you have a valid National Parks Entry Pass.

Photo credit: Pacific Rim Whale Festival

Experience the thrill of coastal exploration at Whale Spotting From Shore, an exciting event at Amphitrite Point. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to witness the majesty of marine life as whales make their migration along the coast.

Take a walk and meet marine biologists and naturalists at Amphitrite Point. This family-friendly event welcomes everyone to come and learn more about the marine ecosystem and the incredible journey of grey whales. If you're lucky, you might even spot some whale spouts as they make their way up the coast.

This event is more than just whale watching; it's an educational adventure where experts share their knowledge and insights about the behaviours and habits of these magnificent creatures. Bring your curiosity and enthusiasm for marine life and join the Pacific Rim Whale Festival for an unforgettable experience along the Wild Pacific Trail.

Special Guests: Parks Canada, Wild Pacific Trail Society, Raincoast Education Society

Event Type: Family Friendly

Tickets: Button event $10 Adults 19+, $5 children, and concessions. (By purchasing a button, this gives you access to all button events throughout the festival week and raises funds to support PRWF activities.)

Join for a special celebration during Whale Fest as the Ucluelet Aquarium hosts a morning public beach seine at Terrace Beach. This engaging event is free for all attendees!

Ever wondered about beach seines? They offer a fantastic way to collect small, shallow-water animals like perch without causing hook-and-line-related injuries. Watch as the Ucluelet Aquarium staff don their wetsuits and skillfully pull in the seine net to the shore.

Visitors are invited to observe the fascinating array of marine specimens caught in the net and learn more about them from the knowledgeable Ucluelet Aquarium staff members and volunteers. It's a unique opportunity to connect with marine life and deepen your understanding of the delicate coastal ecosystem.

Don't miss this chance to experience the wonders of the ocean up close and gain valuable insights into the marine world. Bring your curiosity and join us for a memorable morning of discovery at Terrace Beach!

Family friendly. Suitable for all ages. Free.

Open Daily | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Free by donation | All Ages Welcome

Daily Interpretive topics can be explored from the new Interpretive Centre overlooking the iconic Amphitrite Lighthouse. Learn about the Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, and the array of ecosystems on the Pacific Rim!

Step inside and discover the wonders of the Wild Pacific! The interpretive centre is open to all ages for drop-in exploration, where you can learn about local marine life, coastal ecosystems, and Ucluelet’s natural history.

Monday–Friday: Hosted by the Raincoast Education Society
Saturday–Sunday: Hosted by Wild Pacific Trail Society

Bring your curiosity and your nature questions! Friendly naturalists will be there to share stories, point out fascinating wildlife, and help you connect with the incredible biodiversity of the region. No registration required; come anytime between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Souvenir items are for sale.

Storm Watching from the shelter of Amphitrite House is a new attraction.

Raincoast Education Society is excited to host their 2026 Speaker Series, Incredible Journeys, featuring guest speakers exploring the science behind some of the planet’s most remarkable migrations.

Register for this FREE online session HERE.

Detailed tracking of the eastern migratory monarch butterfly between Canada and Mexico using solar Bluetooth transmitters.

The eastern migratory monarch butterfly has long-captured the hearts and imaginations of Canadians with its spectacular fall migration spanning > 4000 km between its summer breeding grounds in southern Canada to its wintering grounds in central Mexico and then its multi-generational migration back in the spring.  While sticker tagging programs have provided us with a wealth of information about the relative proportions of monarchs arriving in Mexico from different regions of North America, we have little information on the exact migration routes they take given the challenge of following individual monarchs. This in turn has prevented us from understanding how weather conditions experienced en route affects migration success. We expect weather conditions to have a large impact on migration success because head and tail winds can easily double or half energy expenditure during flight, respectively, and because monarchs are ectotherms, their metabolism is strongly influenced by ambient temperature. Here we used 0.06 g solar Bluetooth transmitters to track monarch butterfly migration in unprecedented detail using passively crowed-sourced detections of tagged monarchs from people’s cell phones. Monarchs were strongly affected by the wind conditions they experienced, with strong winds blowing to the north stalling their migration. Heavy rains and high temperatures also slowed their progress towards the wintering grounds. With this data it will now be possible to investigate if and how changing weather patterns associated with climate change affects the number of eastern migratory monarchs reaching the wintering grounds in Mexico.

About our speaker: Dr. Mitchell is a research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. His research program is focused on the conservation of migratory birds and species at risk in Canada in support of the Migratory Bird Convention Act and the Species at Risk Act. He also sits as Canada’s federal representative on the Trinational Monarch Conservation Science Partnership, which coordinates shared research priorities and projects across Canada, the US, and Mexico, and is also a member of the federal Monarch Butterfly Recovery Team.

Photo Credits: Raincoast Education Society