Fishing, Camping, Surfing & Drop-Offs
Family Fishing Fun (AKA Fishing 101) catch & release
If your kids want to go fishing or you want to improve your basic fishing skills, then you’ve come to the right place! The skipper has a wealth of fishing experience that he enjoys sharing with his crew through a hands-on approach to gain insight finding fish & knowing what makes them bite. And we have gear for all body sizes.
Your group/family will also gain a deeper appreciation for our finned friends while learning to fish safely, effectively, and sustainably. On rougher days we stay in sheltered calmer waters. Younger crew members often ‘get behind the wheel’ of our slower 8 m. (26’) Lifeboat. Tons of fun!
The first lure is free. Licences are required before departure; they are cheap for adults and free for kids under 16.
Adults: $90; Seniors, Students: $85; Kids $60; Babies free.
Note: Tour requires a min. $220 threshold payment to depart; if other fishers join the adventure you will be refunded to the above rates.
Babies (infants up to 3 years old) who want to fish must do it in the arms of a parent in order to be free.
To Book this tour on-line click button, it will take you our booking agent's secure site. We book and work from Jamie's Whaling Station in Tofino, the same page can be found at Jamies.com.
Prepare by dressing in warm outdoor clothing, we have adult size ponchos, and its always a good idea to bring snacks.
Fish licences are available at the Co-op Hardware, Marina West Resort, and Jay’s Fly & Tackle. I do not recommend purchasing a salmon ‘stamp’ as we generally 'target' Rock Fish and all our fishing is catch & release.
It is recommended and $5 cheaper (per licence) to acquire your fishing licence on online. You can do that by visitingwww.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sportfish and printing a licence or Google "Recfish licence"; got questions? Call 1-877-535-7307.
Duration (a very quick) 2½ - 3 hours.
Camp, Beach-comb, & Remote Surf Drop-offs
Whether you want to picnic and beach-comb on a remote island, view wildlife, get dropped-off to hike, surf, or camp in the wilderness, we can tailor a charter for you.
Vargas Island Drop Offs
Most of these types of charters are to Vargas Island. It is the larger forested relatively flat Island about 5 km (3 miles) West of Tofino and is visible here from Tofino at only a few locations. The Vargas Island Provincial Park is on the South and West of the island. For eons the two large First Nations settlements of Ahous and Yarksis thrived on Vargas Island, however, now their inhabitant’s decedents inhabit the village of Ahousat on nearby Flores Island.
Please Note; I have been informed (April 29/14) that BC Parks no longer allows dogs into the Vargas Island Prov. Park. However, Jamie's whaling Station (where I operate from) has free a 'day' (not overnight) dog kennel. Tofino Travelling Paws offers a personalized dog care service including overnight boarding, they can be reached at 250-726-5005 or travellingpaws@hotmail.com.
East Coast Vargas IslandDrop-offs on the closer East coast of Vargas Island access the Old Telegraph Trail which extends to the island’s West coast. The trail is quite flat and takes approx.1 - 1.5 hr to arrive at beautiful pristine Ahous Bay in the Vargas Island Provincial Park for camping & beach-combing. There are several other free remote beach campsites available on both the East and West coasts of the Island.
West Coast Vargas Island
We do drop-offs to the West coast of Vargas Island directly into Ahous Bay. We carry the permits (including insurance) required by BC Parks to land on the beach at Ahous Bay. It’s a great place for remote free camping & beach-combing or we could land you at some other near-by beaches for camping and/or remote surfing.
Note: Because the drop-off adventures to Vargas Island often require an exchange of info we do not offer online booking for this tour option. Contact info is below. Check blog for BC Parks updates.
Drop-offs Vargas Island East Coast
Drop-off is at the Vargas Island Inn and the trail-head starts on the right side of the beach. The trail (approx 3 km or 2 miles) is mostly covered by fallen wood and can be very slippery when wet. Rain boots are advised when it's wet. Be advised to also bring adequate weather gear including rain apparel, fresh water, and a cell phone.
Ahous Bay has a huge sandy beach and is an absolutely incredible wilderness location for beach-combing, camping, or just ‘chilling-out’. Often, later in the Summer Grey Whales come to the bay to feed. As there are resident wolves on Vargas Island, we will inform you how to minimize the harm of human exposure to them.
There are several other free remote beach campsite locations on both the East and West coasts of the island.
Prices are round-trip
Adults $45.00 Seniors/Students $40.00 Youth (4-12) $30.00 Babies Free
Note: Ahousat First Nations is asking for a voluntary payment to access their traditional territories. It is $10 per day per person or $40 a day for groups of 4 or more. This includes Vargas Island, you would receive a receipt.
Campfires are allowed in BC Parks but must be small and below the high tide level.
Departure times on demand; min 2 adult fares.
Although Ahous Bay is within the Vargas Island Prov. Park, it is Ahousat First Nations Territory, please give it your fullest respect. There is an ‘Indian Reserve’ at Ahous Point , please get permission from the Ahousat Band office before entering; you can reach them at 250 670-9563.
Drop-offs Vargas Island West Coast
Ahous Bay has a huge sandy beach and is an absolutely incredible wilderness location for beach-combing, camping, or just ‘chilling-out’. Be advised to bring adequate weather gear including rain apparel, fresh water, and a cell phone.
Often, later in the Summer Grey Whales come to the bay to feed. As there are resident wolves on Vargas Island, we will inform you how to minimize the harm of human exposure to them; check our 'Blog' for updates.
There are several other wilderness beach campsite locations on both the East and West coasts, camping on Vargas Island is free. Or if remote surfing is your thing we can drop you off at beaches to the West and North of Ahous Bay for the day or as long as you like.
Prices are round-trip
Adults $90.00 Seniors/Students $85.00 Youth (4-12) $60.00 Babies Free
Minimum $220 threshold payment for return charter to go or $110 each leg of transport.
Note: Ahousat First Nations is asking for a voluntary payment to access their traditional territories. It is $10 per day per person or $40 a day for groups of 4 or more. This includes Vargas Island, you would receive a receipt.
Campfires are allowed in BC Parks but must be small and below the high tide level.
Departure times on demand.
Please note: no gear or instruction is included for surfing drop-offs. You can rent surfboards and wet-suits at local surf shops in Tofino.
Although Ahous Bay is within the Vargas Island Prov. Park, it is Ahousat First Nations Territory, please give it your fullest respect. The ‘Indian Reserve’ at Ahous Point will be pointed out to you, please get permission from the Ahousat Band office before entering; you can reach them at 250 670-9563.
