The most typical way we like to explore while traveling is just low key roaming around the area, with our bikes or on foot. Vancouver Island is known for its abundant opportunities to explore on water, and after some deliberations we decided to do the unusual – sign up for a kayaking tour. It was not just any kayaking tour, it was specifically tailored to look for bears. Bears that come out to the shore to look for delicious crabs. An irresistible combination.
The requirements included being at the docks in Tofino at 7 am, to match low tides. The morning was gloomy, with low hanging clouds, but our guide Torsten was certain it would become sunny very soon. There are several outfits in the area offering bear watching trips, but no others do it with the help of the kayaks. As is always the case, the smaller the craft, the closer and more personal the wildlife encounters.
The trip started with an hour or so ride in a motorized boat, the four kayaks mounted carefully on top. Then the 6 explorers and 2 guides (the aforementioned human and his dog) got into the kayaks and went looking for bears, paddling leisurely in the calm channels between the islands. Except for the dog, who did no paddling but just acted bored and cute. We found plenty of crabs, gigantic jellyfish, eagles, a salmon farm, sea stars, various curious sea grasses, but no bears. Regardless, it was a very enjoyable way to spend the morning, the water so still and the smell of the sea so strong and sweet.
By 11 am the sun was out in full force, as promised, but still there were no bears. It was past the planned turn around time. We paddled back and on the shores of the same cove where the boat was anchored, a black bear was casually turning over rocks in search of brunch. As we slowly approached and settled in close to the water’s edge, the bear changed tactics, moved up just past the high water mark to the grassy land and proceeded to eat that grass. I knew bears are omnivores, but somehow the sight of an adult bear opting for salad was still a little odd. We observed each other for 20 minutes or so, until it got tired of us and strolled away into the forest.
On the way back to town Torsten was elated. He commented that he was getting very stressed out because it’s pretty rare for it to take this long to find at least one bear. He was afraid his impeccable success rate was about to take a tumble.
Back in Tofino, we got lunch and took a walk around. A beautiful small beach that is far enough that it doesn’t feel urban, but close enough that you can walk to it easily from the main part of town. With the early start to the day, it was difficult to stay up until the sky turned peachy at 10 pm, but we persevered through the cold and windy evening, and were not disappointed.
