What to Wear & Bring on a Tofino Boat Tour

The single most common mistake on a Tofino boat tour is dressing for the town, not the water. Out on the open Pacific it’s noticeably colder, windier, and wetter than on shore — even on a sunny summer day. The fix is simple: dress warmer than you think, in layers, with a waterproof outer shell. This guide covers exactly what to wear and bring, whether you’re on an open Zodiac or a covered cruiser. (Not sure which boat? See Zodiac vs covered boat.)

The One Rule: Dress Warmer Than You Think

The water off Clayoquot Sound stays cold year-round, and wind plus speed plus spray makes it feel colder still. Locals say it plainly: it’s cool and bumpy on the water even in summer, so layer up and be ready for ocean spray. On the open Zodiac, operators issue full flotation/exposure suits over your clothes — but you’ll still want warm layers underneath. On a covered cruiser you’re sheltered in a heated cabin, but you’ll head out on deck for sightings, so dress for the wind anyway.

What to Wear

• Warm base + mid layers. Think long sleeves and a fleece or sweater — more warmth than the forecast suggests.
• A waterproof, windproof outer shell. The most important single item: it blocks both wind and spray. (On the Zodiac the exposure suit handles this; bring a shell anyway for deck time on covered boats.)
• Closed-toe, non-slip shoes. Decks get wet — rubber boots or waterproof walking shoes with grip beat sandals every time.
• A hat or toque and gloves. Wind off the water is cold; a warm hat makes a big difference (many operators sell toques in the office if you forget).
• Sunglasses. Glare off the water is strong even on grey days.

What to Bring

• Seasickness medication if you’re prone to it — and take it about 30 minutes before departure, not once you feel queasy. Keeping your eyes on the horizon helps too.
• Sunscreen, applied before you arrive. The reflected light off the water burns even under cloud.
• A camera with a strap (so it can’t go overboard) — and a zoom if you have one. Phones are fine; just keep them secured.
• Water and a small snack, especially for the longer trips.
• A dry bag or zip-lock for your phone, wallet, and anything that mustn’t get wet on an open boat.

A Note on the Hot Springs Cove Trip

If you’re doing the full-day Hot Springs Cove cruise, add a swimsuit (worn under your clothes), a towel, and water shoes for the rock pools and the cedar boardwalk. It’s a long day on and off the boat, so the layering advice above matters even more.

Quick Packing Checklist

• ✔ Warm base + mid layers (more than you think)
• ✔ Waterproof, windproof shell
• ✔ Closed-toe, non-slip shoes
• ✔ Hat/toque, gloves, sunglasses
• ✔ Seasickness meds (taken ~30 min before)
• ✔ Sunscreen, camera with strap, water, snack
• ✔ Hot Springs Cove only: swimsuit, towel, water shoes

Ready to Book?

Pack the layers, and the rest is easy. The small-group Tofino whale-watching tour provides the safety gear (and exposure suits on the open boats), runs with a nature guide, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Check availability and dress for the water.