Join us for an informative and important discussion on ocean stewardship and sustainable harvesting practices along our coastline.

This workshop will be valuable for those who are thinking of getting into spearfishing, fishing or harvesting, or who already are as a hobby or for work.

Information on what you can and can’t harvest can change each year. Aline Carrier, oceanographer, and conservationist, will dive a little deeper into the current protections in place and give some more insight into the reason why this is important for our local ecosystem.

During the workshop, the participants will learn about important theories behind ocean resources management and will be invited to question their harvesting practices. Is it truly sustainable? How could it be safer for the ocean? And how could they be safe as well?

They will also leave with tools helping them to tune in and live in better harmony with the marine environment.

We will also focus on our relationship with the ocean and during the break period, those who wish can take part in a short breathwork practice that is used by free divers. A great technique for relaxation in and out of the water.

Location: Rec Room 2, Ucluelet Community Centre.

Time: 1:00PM - 3:00PM (Event could run till 4:00PM depending on discussion)

Costs: Suggested minimum donation of $10

If you would like to reserve a spot, please sign your name here.

Contribute to the well-being of our coastal environment by participating in the Beach Clean. Join fellow community members in a collective effort to keep our shores pristine. This eco-friendly initiative encourages everyone to play a role in environmental stewardship by cleaning up and preserving the beauty of our beaches.

The events are family-friendly and button events, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and environmental responsibility.

Time: 12:00PM til 2:00PM

Location: Long Beach, Large parking lot (south lot). Look for signs of event.

Children are welcome. Please keep dogs on a leash. Paid parking is available with a parks pass or for a day rate on site.

Conservation Status of Marine Mammals of BC: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Marine mammals of the west coast presentation with Dr. John K.B. Ford, exploring grey whales, sea lions and harbour seals.

Dr. John K. B. Ford has been involved in field studies of marine mammals off Canada’s west coast since the mid 1970s. He is a research scientist (emeritus) at the Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, BC, where he headed up the cetacean research program for 17 years. His main areas of research include the life history, ecology, behaviour and acoustic communication of cetaceans, especially killer whales.  John is author of Marine Mammals of British Columbia (Royal BC Museum Handbook). He is a Co-Chair of the Marine Mammal Subcommittee of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and a member of the IUCN’s Cetacean Specialist Group.

Location: George Fraser Room at Ucluelet Community Centre

Time: 7:00 PM

Tickets: By donation on the day to Raincoast Education Society. Reservations here. Limited seating.

Find out more information about the Marine Mammals of the West Coast 2 day course here.

Unleash your creativity at Paint Night Live, a social and artistic event where you can enjoy a drink, share laughs, and create your very own grey whale acrylic art feature. This popular event, which sold out the last time it came to town, caters to all skill levels, making it the perfect opportunity to express yourself through art.

All materials are provided, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable painting experience. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, you'll have the chance to bring your artistic vision to life. Plus, you get to take home your unique painting as a memento of this creative evening.

Paint Night Live is an exclusive event for adults (19+), providing a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere to socialize with friends, meet new people, and discover the artist within you.

Time: 6:00 - 8:00PM

Purchase Tickets Here: $50 includes art supplies and a $10 donation to PRWF. The ticket includes a raffle entry.

Location: ANAF, Ucluelet

Unleash your creativity at Paint Night Live, a social and artistic event where you can enjoy a drink, share laughs, and create your very own grey whale acrylic art feature. This popular event, which sold out the last time it came to town, caters to all skill levels, making it the perfect opportunity to express yourself through art.

All materials are provided, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable painting experience. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, you'll have the chance to bring your artistic vision to life. Plus, you get to take home your unique painting as a memento of this creative evening.

Paint Night Live is an exclusive event for adults (19+), providing a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere to socialize with friends, meet new people, and discover the artist within you.

Tickets: $50 includes $10 donation to PRWF. Purchase your tickets here. Early bird discount - first 5 tickets purchased get $5 off per person.

Time: 7:00 - 9:00PM

Location: Located in The MAQ Hotel, 120 First St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0

Food and Drinks are available for purchase the the Bear Restaurant

The mystery of humpback whale songs has been studied for many years, often disputed between biologists. Lucky for us at Whale Fest, we are joined by whale song expert Dr. Jim Darling, to listen to the latest discoveries of one of the ocean’s most beautiful sounds.

Dr. Darling is a pioneer field researcher on cetaceans specializing in gray and humpback whales. His research has appeared on numerous television programs and in magazines including National Geographic and played a central role in establishing the Important Cetacean Area program at Pacific WildLife.

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: Remote Passages station on Wharf Street

Ticket: Button Event, donation on the door. Suitable for families.

Limited parking on site.

Embark on a day of maritime exploration at Maritime Kids Day, a special event presented in celebration of Whale Fest! This event offers a fantastic opportunity for children and families to engage with the wonders of the marine world.

Sponsored by FoxiPrint, Maritime Kids Day features a variety of hands-on educational activities designed for all ages. Join us for an immersive experience in interactive learning that fosters curiosity and wonder for our marine ecosystem.

Guests include:

Nylon Zoo: Nylon Zoo begins with a puppet show, followed by a costume parade, and finishes with interactive storytelling inside a beautiful inflatable whale. Inside the whale, with interactive storytelling, you will get a chance to portray a grey whale on its long migration, learn about when and how it feeds and you can try out some of its extraordinary, athletic feats!  Afterward, we exit the whale and collect an audience. They will be invited to enjoy the final production of… ‘A whale of a tail’.

Learn about our coastal ecosystem with Parks Canada, Ocean Wise, Ocean Networks Canada, CaNOE, BC Parks Foundation, DFO and Build-A-Whale with Redd Fish Restoration.

Free face painting with Ethereal Face Painting.

Cookie decorating provided by Gray Whale Deli. Snacks and sandwiches are available to purchase by cash.

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

Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Location: Seaplane Base Recreation Hall, Ucluelet, BC

Cost: Button Event ($5 suggested minimum donation per person)

Immerse yourself in an evening dedicated to the science and conservation of whales at West Coast Guide Forum, a collaboration with Whales of Clayoquot and Barkley. This event provides a unique opportunity for professionals and anyone interested in marine conservation to connect, share knowledge, and network with like-minded individuals.

Mark Sawyer - Whales of Clayoquot and Barkley: Update on whale sightings in Clayoquot and Barkley Sound and expectations for the 2024 season. Mark will also be joined by Reddfish Restoration who will give an update on marine mammal response on the West Coast.

Clayoquot Action - Salmon Secrets screening: This film looks at the impact of salmon farming through the eyes of those fighting to protect the ecosystem and wild salmon from extinction.

Location: Tofino, Upper Shelter Restaurant, above Tofino Resort and Marina.

Time: 6:00 PM

Tickets: Free, no reservations, limited seating. Suitable for youth +.

Whale, whale, whale, what do you know?

Join us for whale-themed trivia at Ucluelet Brewery.

Parks Canada’s Southern Resident Killer Whale and Coastal BC Field Unit will be hosting the quiz, to test your knowledge of all the Whaley important facts surrounding our oceans.

Prizes to be won!

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Location: Ucluelet Brewery. 1601 Peninsula Road.

Cost: Free, suggested $5 donation

Suitable for families with children

Marine Debris Field Trip:

Comber's Beach Cleanup

Join CaNOE & friends for a mini beach clean up led by Surfrider Foundation's own Lilly Woodbury. Participate in water sampling with test kits provided by Water Rangers and contribute to valuable community science data! Meet in the Comber's Beach parking lot at 8:30am for a safety briefing before heading to the beach. Suitable for all ages.

Location: Pacific Rim National Park - Make sure to pay for your park pass
Time: 8:30am - 10am

Ocean Plastic Depot - Open House 

Find out how recovered ocean plastic gets sorted, recycled and repurposed with Ocean Legacy's own Benoît Sandjian and Amber Hamilton. See how clean up efforts contribute to Canada's plastic circular economy, ensuring healthier and safer marine environments. Bring your recovered marine plastics from the Comber's Beach Cleanup! If you arrive by car, make sure to stop at the landfill's scale house to let them know you're part of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival's Marine Debris Field Trip.  

Location: 1500 Alaska Pine Road, Ucluelet, V0R 3A0
Time: 10:30am - 12pm
Please be aware of your environment around you whilst visiting the depot and keep children supervised at all times.

What’s The Current? A research and network night in Ocean Dispersal and Connectivity

Join us at the stunning ocean-view wine cellar at Black Rock Resort, to learn about the current status of plastics in our oceans, and local projects working to clean up our coastline, share discussions of optimism for the future and learn about ocean currents and what we can learn about them through tracking ocean debris! The evening’s short presentations include:

Lauren Hudson - Ocean Networks Canada: Learn how current impacts ocean plastics and how this same technology is used in tsunami alerts for Tofino and Ucluelet. Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is a world-leading organization supporting ocean discovery and technological innovation for science, society, and industry.

Pete Clarkson: - “The Ocean that Separates Us Also Brings Us Together:” This talk illustrates the global reach of marine debris, and how different artists have responded to it over the past 40 years, coming from so many different perspectives, yet using mostly the same materials. It’s a somewhat positive slant on the issue and a fascinating art history story. 

Lilly Woodbury, Regional Manager at Surfrider Foundation Canada: Lilly will discuss legal and policy pathways for addressing dominant forms of plastic pollution in BC and Canada, specific Surfrider campaigns that speak to these pathways, and how people can take action to support these campaigns. Lilly is also attending the final round of negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty, which will be taking place in Ottawa at the end of April.

Benoit Sandjian, from Ocean Legacy will wrap up our presentations with highlights of the impactful marine debris recovery efforts being conducted on our coast line.

Following the presentations and discussion, we will open the room with networking, drinks, light bites and crafting with repurposed ocean debris.

Be part of the conversation that shapes the future of marine conservation and deepens our understanding of our coastal waters!

Location: Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet, Wine Cellar.

Doors: 7 pm, presentation starts at 7:30 pm. Cash bar available. Light snacks provided.

Tickets: Button event - minimum $5 suggested donation. No reservations, limited capacity.

Crafting: $10 minimum donation

This event is sponsored by West Coast Aquatic Safaris

Embark on a day of maritime exploration at Maritime Kids Day, a special event presented in celebration of Whale Fest! This event offers a fantastic opportunity for children and families to engage with the wonders of the marine world.

Sponsored by Remote Passages Marine Excursions, Maritime Kids Day features a variety of hands-on educational activities designed for all ages. Join us for an immersive experience in interactive learning that fosters curiosity and wonder for our marine ecosystem.

Guests include:

Nylon Zoo: Nylon Zoo begins with a puppet show, followed by a costume parade, and finishes with interactive storytelling inside a beautiful inflatable whale. Inside the whale, with interactive storytelling, you will get a chance to portray a grey whale on its long migration, learn about when and how it feeds and you can try out some of its extraordinary, athletic feats!  Afterward, we exit the whale and collect an audience. They will be invited to enjoy the final production of… ‘A whale of a tail’.

Learn about our coastal ecosystem with Parks Canada, Ocean Wise, Ocean Networks Canada, CaNOE, BC Parks Foundation, DFO and Build-A-Whale with Redd Fish Restoration.

Free face painting with Ethereal Face Painting.

Cookie decorating provide by Gray Whale Deli

Join us for a family-friendly day of discovery, where children can explore, learn, and appreciate the marine wonders that surround us. Maritime Kids Day is more than an event; it's 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 ($5 suggested minimum donation per person)

Food is available for purchase with Green Waves catering, delicious homemade soups, and sandwiches.

On a remote island in the Canadian Pacific populated by wolves, ravens, and two whale researchers, is a town with the promise of a second industrial boom torn between the wish to protect its territory and the pressure to cope with investors.

We will be joined by SWAG members Janie Wray and Eric Keen for a Q&A after the movie with timely updates on the cause.

Janie Wray is SWAG Co-Lead and founder of BC Whales, where she studies the acoustic dialects and social connections of orca, humpback and fin whale populations.

Dr Eric Keen is the Visual and Risk assessment manager for SWAG and studies baleen whales on the West Coast of North America.

SWAG - Ships, Whales & Acoustics in Gitga’at Territory is a collaboration between the Gitga’at First Nation, BC Whales (North Coast Cetacean Society) and WWF-Canada to develop real time tracking tools for whales and ships, and collaboratively develop mitigation measures to reduce the impact of commercial shipping on four populations of at-risk whales in one of Canada’s most important whale areas.

Location: Tofino Legion

Tickets: On the door: Adults $12, Seniors & Students $10.

Doors 7:30pm, screening starts at 8pm

Join us 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.

Following the Parade of Whales and Wonder, head over to Tofino Community Hall for some West Coast treats.

If you want to meet all the awesome organizations that strive to protect our coastline and its inhabitants, support small local businesses, and get thrifty, then come join us for our indoor community market.

Expect music, BBQ, arts, crafts, clothes, and much more that our creative community has to offer. This will also be a chance to meet the team behind the Pacific Rim Whale Festival and find out more about our fun-filled lineup of events happening throughout the week.

If you would like to have a stall at the market, please fill out this form before March 1st, 2024

Got some clothes and items to thrift? Apply to be part of the reuse and upcycle area.

Immerse yourself in a whimsical celebration of our vibrant West Coast communities at the enchanting Parade of Whales and Wonder! This spectacle promises to be filled with creativity, community spirit, and ocean-inspired marvels.

Witness the streets come alive with color, imagination, and maritime magic as the Parade of Whales and Wonder winds through the heart of Tofino.

Following the parade, the celebration continues at the Tofino Community Hall with an indoor market. Immerse yourself in a diverse array of local products, arts, and crafts. The market promises to be a hub of post-parade energy and creativity, offering a perfect opportunity to connect with the local community.

SEE MAP FOR PARADE ROUTE

Starts: 10 am sharp at Wickaninnish Community School

Do you want to be part of our legendary parade? - Email us to register your interest.

The deadline for entries is Monday, March 11th.

Join us for a whale-themed trivia ‘happy hour’ at Hotel Zed’s comfy lounge.

Parks Canada’s Southern Resident Killer Whale and Coastal BC Field Unit will be hosting the quiz, to test your knowledge of all the Whaley important facts surrounding our oceans.

ROAR will be hosting a happy hour from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on food and drinks.

Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Location: Hotel Zed. 1258 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0

Cost: Free, suggested $5 donation

Free parking is available. Suitable for all ages.

Indulge your taste buds in a coastal culinary extravaganza at the highly anticipated Chowder Chowdown! Returning this year with even more flavor, this event brings together renowned restaurants from Ucluelet and Tofino to showcase their culinary prowess in crafting the perfect chowder.

Join us for a culinary adventure that goes beyond the ordinary. Each participating restaurant will present tastings of their signature chowder dishes, competing to win the hearts and palates of both judges and the public.

We are thrilled to collaborate with the Pacific Rim Rotary Club to bring back this delectable event. As you savor each spoonful, you'll also have the opportunity to learn more about the importance of choosing wild salmon through our partnership with Get Wild.

The Chowder Chowdown is more than just a culinary competition; it's a family-friendly affair filled with a lively atmosphere and delicious discoveries. Bring your loved ones, enjoy the diverse array of chowders, and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.

Time: Doors 11:00 am. Start 11:30 am

Location: Ucluelet Community Centre, Main Hall

Tickets: $10 minimum donation on the door