So, you’re going on a whale watching tour! Now you’re faced with the question: what do I wear? In Campbell River, we run whale watching tours from May – October yearly. We’ll recommend what to wear based on the time of season you’re going and the type of vessel you’ll be on.
Zodiac tours:
Covered vessel tours:
If you’re on a zodiac tour, you’ll be exposed to the elements, so it’s important to come prepared. You’ll be on the front of the boat, which can travel up to 30 knots or 55km/h, so needless to say, it’ll be windy while underway! On the zodiac, you’ll be wearing a freshly-sanitized cruiser suit which keeps you warm and dry.
On our covered vessels, there’s a heated cabin and a large viewing deck. Our 7 Hour tours often travel deep into the narrow, current-swept channels and inlets of Desolation Sound and the mainland. Here, it can be noticeably colder than back at the dock – so bring layers in case you get a bit cold!
It’s always better to bring more layers than you think you’ll need. If you end up not needing all your layers, there’s plenty of room on both zodiacs and covered vessels to stow away bags under your seat.
MAY & JUNE
In May and June, it can be chilly on the water in Campbell River, with temperatures ranging between 15°C (60°F) to 20°C (68°F). Dress in layers, and bring more clothes than you think you’ll need! It’s always better to come extra prepared. Remember – there’s plenty of room to stow away bags under your seat!
Zodiacs:
- Warm baselayer
- Warm sweater (or two)
- Warm hat & gloves
- Sunglasses
- Closed-toe shoes
Covered vessels:
- Warm baselayer
- Warm sweater
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm hat & gloves
- Sunglasses
- Closed-toe shoes
Zodiac passengers wearing warm hats and goggles, watching harbour seals near Campbell River, BC in May 2022. Photo by Jenn Libotte.
July & August
July and August can be very warm in Campbell River, with temperatures reaching upwards of 30°C (86°F) in the afternoon. Still, it can be cooler on the water than on land, especially while the boat is underway. Once the boat stops to watch wildlife, it can get hot – so it’s good to dress in layers.
Zodiacs:
- T-shirt or tank top
- Sweater
- Shorts or thin pants
- Closed-toe shoes or strap sandals
- Baseball cap (keep in mind… the wind can take your cap off while underway on a zodiac!)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Covered vessel:
- T-shirt or tank top
- Sweater
- Waterproof jacket
- Shorts or thin pants
- Closed-toe shoes or strap sandals
- Baseball cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
September & October
September and October vary from year to year. Sometimes the warm weather sticks around well into September, and other times autumn can come early. For example, in our 2022 season, summer stuck around well into late September, with temperatures above 25°C (77°F) on a daily basis! We recommend watching the weather forecast and dressing accordingly. Ask our staff beforehand if you’re unsure!
Zodiacs:
- T-shirt or thin baselayer
- Warm sweater (or two, if it’s a chilly day)
- Baseball cap (or warm hat, if it’s a chilly day)
- Gloves, if it’s a chilly day
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Closed-toe shoes
Covered vessel:
- T-shirt or thin baselayer
- Warm sweater
- Waterproof jacket
- Baseball cap (or warm hat, if it’s a chilly day)
- Gloves (if it’s a chilly day)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Closed-toe shoes
WHAT SHOULD CHILDREN WEAR?
We love having children onboard our tours! Minimum age is 3 years old on all our tours except the Grizzly Bear Expedition, which is minimum age 10.
On our zodiac tours, we provide warm snow suits and lifejackets for kids.
On our covered vessel tours, we’ll provide a lifejacket for young children.
Captain Jason showing how sea star tube feet work to a young guest on our 4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Tour. On our zodiac tours, we stop halfway through for a washroom break at an interesting and historic site. Here, they are at Whaletown on Cortes Island, one of our favourite places to stop for a snack and bathroom break!
Dress them accordingly based on the time of year you’re coming. Remember, it’s always best to bring an extra layer just in case!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you don’t have your own hat, gloves, or sunglasses for your zodiac tour, worry not! We provide warm hats, gloves, and goggles on all of our zodiac tours. All our gear is freshly sanitized after every use.
On top of the clothing items we recommend bringing below – we always recommend you bring water and sunscreen. Your captain will have some onboard, but in our sustainability efforts to reduce waste we highly encourage our guests to bring their own!
At Big Animal Encounters, we highly encourage our guests to bring their own reusable water bottles to reduce waste, or purchase a reusable water bottle from our marine centre!
If you have any questions regarding your tour, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or feel free to contact us! Our friendly staff are happy to answer any inquiries you have.
