Tofino Seafari Adventure Tours
(Scenic flights, Adventure Tours, and wildlife viewing)

Hiking, Expeditions, and Exploring

The west coast of Vancouver Island has opportunities to explore seldom traveled areas. By utilizing our floatplanes, we can transport you and your exploration party to the remote areas you have been dreaming about. Whether it is glacial peaks, alpine meadows, old growth rainforest, miles of empty beaches or sea caves, chartered seaplanes are the best ways to get there.

Flores Island
The Wildside trail offers the best beach hikes in Clayoquot Sound. This trail can be done in one day or multiple days. The trail starts at Ahousaht, a small native community, and ends at Cow Bay. The trail can also be accessed by a beach drop-off at Whitesands Cove. It is a relatively easy hike with some board walk trail sections joining beaches. Each beach faces a slightly different direction, making them all different from each other. Cow Bay is a popular hang-out for Grey Whales. Cow and calves can be seen very close to the beach. There is a small trail fee collected by the natives for maintenance.
(Return trips @ $100.00 per person)

Buttle Lake to Bedwell Sound
This hike has everything. Usually done in 2-3 days. Start ascending at Buttle Lake up through the rainforest to the alpine areas of Bedwell lake and the headwaters of the Bedwell river, hiking through Stathcona Park most of way. Descending, takes you though the Bedwell River valley, an area rich in beauty and history. Old gold mines and river canyons with suspension bridges are just a few of the highlights. Also keep an eye out for the abundance of wildlife including elk.

Nootka Island Trail
One of our favorites! Usually done in 5-7 days but can be done in 3 if you are super hero who doesn’t like to kick back. The flight along the coast is worth it alone. Nootka Island offers beaches, caves, water falls, wildlife, and lots of local culture. The hike starts at a lagoon on the west end and finishes up at Friendly Cove. (Captain Cook was here) There are small fees collected by the natives at the end of the hike by the residents of Friendly Cove.

Escalante – Estevan- Boat Basin
A Hike for the experienced. Not a well recognized trail, but a great shoreline hike. Starting at the beaches by the Escalante River through rocky shelves, past the lighthouse at Estevan, through the old Hesquiaht native village, and on to the pristine beaches of Boat Basin. Did we say glass balls? Also stop and visit the homestead of Cougar Annie. Best done in 6-7 days.

Pacific Rim Beach & Island Tour (20 minutes)
This flight affords stunning views of Clayoquot Sound with all of its shimmering Isles and Inlets. View Lennard light house from above. (One of the last manned lights)

Whale & Wildlife flight (30 minutes)
On this flight you will enjoy the landscape of the Pacific Rim, as well as a unique and undisturbed view of the many species of marine life. Grey whales, Orcas, humpback whales, porpoise and sea lions are in abundance throughout the area. The aerial view will leave you astounded! Sweeping oceanic views include west coast light houses, a downed aircraft from World War II, Long Beach & Pacific Rim National Park.

Glacier and Sea (45 minutes)
Our most popular trip by far! Shortly after taking off from Tofino harbour, turn toward Strathcona Park and Mount Mariner, soaring just off the glacial ice and snow, cruising by mountain peaks at 6000 feet above sea level. Old growth rain forest carpets the valleys below and rivers wind their way to the inlets. Follow the inlets back to the open ocean for some coastline cruising. Whales and bears make a regular appearance for this flight. With this trip you see everything you would see in a 20 or 30 minute flight plus the glaciers

Adventure Tour (1 hour 30 minutes)
Tour the Sound and take a break at an unbelievable location. Stop at a secluded beach for a picnic lunch or maybe try your skills fly-fishing at a pristine lake for trout. Start out flying up the inlets and valleys towards the snow peaked mountains. After viewing the glaciers and alpine lakes, it is your choice to either stop at a mountain lake or continue to the coastline. Some of the beaches here are the greatest places to kick the shoes off and do some beach combing. Whale watching starts here. View Greys and Humpbacks feeding just off the surf. Just before landing see Tofino and Lennard lighthouse from above.

Bear and Salmon Watch
This seafari can be done as a 30 minute flight, or a 2 hour tour. Black Bears can be viewed from March to December. The 30 minute flight tours the inlets of Clayoquot Sound and stops at our favorite bear watching locations for that “Kodak” moment. The longer 2 hour tour affords more time for viewing. In the fall we take you to our favorite rivers to view spawning salmon and feeding bears. (Oct-Dec)

Also include; The Full experience, A day in Clayoquot Sound, and the Canadian wilderness bush plane seafari.

Fish Camps, Cabin Rentals, and Camping
Atleo River Air Service flies into and maintains only the best camps, cabins and camping spots on the coasts. We can ensure your coastal stay is everything you are looking for.

Queen’s Cove Cabin
Pretty Girl Cove floating Camp
In a hidden little cove, deep up a wild inlet, you will find one of the most tranquil settings for a floating camp. This site is a 20 minute flight from Tofino. A long time whistle stop for Atleo River Air Service, Pretty Girl Cove hosts four small cabins with only 2 fulltime residents and a small oyster farm. The water is always calm here and the sun calls to all visitors. The cove is located near Hot Springs Cove, and boasts unbeatable sport diving, salt and fresh water fishing. Your local host and guide always requires deckhands for local adventures. Seafood, of course, is always on the menu. Crabs, prawns, oysters, mussels, salmon and trout are plentiful. Camp rental is $400.00 per night based on four occupants and $50.00 for each additional person. Flights by the charter or $80.00 per person.

Pretty Girl Lake Camp
Experience one of the most pristine mid-alpine lakes on the coast. A 20 minute flight from Tofino. Our camp at this lake has everything…wilderness old growth forests (some of the last great forests like this in the world), great trout fishing, exploring, swimming, hiking to other lakes, canoes and gear, spectacular scenery and the best drinking water available anywhere! The tent is a roomy white canvas square tent with a double bed and additional air mattresses for others. There is a wood stove, camp stove, lamp, cooking gear, dishes, utensils, and other amenities available for your convenience. 2 canoes with paddles and life vests are included. “There is nothing like sitting on the deck of this wonderful camp at the edge of the lake for beauty, tranquility and peace of mind.” …said a visitor in 2005. Things to bring are: food, bedroll, raingear, fishing gear, and toiletries including sunscreen. Only $50.00 per night! Flights from $80.00 per person

Remote Campsites
Our air service provides transportation to many beautiful areas in which to camp. We have a strict policy of no-trace camping. This means that our campsites aren’t recognizable as campsites at all. These sites include alpine lakes, river gravel bars, and sandy beaches. Camping is free! Flights from $80.00 per person

Hot Springs Cove
Hot Springs Cove - Take a dip in the west coast’s famous natural hot springs where standing under the upper waterfall can be the massage of the century. The natural rock pools below the waterfall descend toward the sea where tidal flows mix with the sulphur water, providing a variety of temperatures suitable for all ages. A 20 minute walk from the dock through the ancient rainforest on a boardwalk is part of the experience that makes a visit to this area unforgettable. (Sched Flights)

The InnChanter Inn –
This floating lodge was a coastal freight boat that has been transformed by its’ owner and manager, Shaun, into a comfortable and unique accommodation where one can stay and visit the hot springs at any time of the day or night. Shaun is a visionary that designs and builds architecture suiting the coastal area with a classic and luxurious touch that is totally individual making this place a well-known accommodation. Shaun’s culinary abilities are exceptional. His meals are not only delicious and unusual but beautifully presented through his appreciation of art, design and color. An exceptional host, Shaun will make your visit to the springs and a stay at the Innchanter memorable.

Hot Springs Lodge –
Owned and operated by the Hesquiat First Nation, this lovely lodge, situated on the waterfront of the Native village of Hot Springs Cove across the bay from the Hot Springs, provides rowboats to access the trail to the springs. With rooms that have kitchenettes and barbeques on the deck, a visitor can be a part of this remarkable area, visiting some of the well-known Native artists and carvers and learn of the cultural ways of the Nuu Chah Nulth Peoples. (include website and phone number of lodge)

Hesquiat First Nation –
have two villages that are inhabited, one very historical village at Hesquiat near Estevan Point looking towards Boat Basin, and the larger village at Hot Springs Cove. These people have lived in this area for

Scheduled Flights

Vancouver, Victoria to Tofino
Atleo River Air Service provides seaplane charters between Tofino and Victoria or Vancouver. These flights can leave from the airports or downtown.
For Scheduled service - Click to Craig Air (temp) www.craigair.com

Clayoquot Sound Scheduled Flights / Biosphere Seafari
Servicing Tofino, Ahousaht – Flores Island, Stathcona Park, Hot Springs Cove, Pretty Girl Cove, and Stewardson Inlet. This flight is also perfect for single passengers wishing to view the area and return back to Tofino. The length of time varies due to the number of stops.

Departs Tofino Daily June 1st to September 15th at 0915 and 1530
Hot Springs Cove departures daily at 1000 and 1600
Call for winter schedules

Fares: $80.00 per seat

Baggage Limit 20 lbs per person. Baggage limit may be exceeded by prearrangement with an extra charge of $20.00 or $1.00 per lb.

Fishing

Saltwater Fishing
Our air service is affiliated with some of the finest guides and fishing lodges from Kyuquot to Port Renfrew on the West Cost of Vancouver Island. Whether you plan to stay in Tofino or travel beyond to catch your fish of a lifetime, we can arrange your charters and put you closer to your dreams.

Freshwater Fishing

Lake Fishing – Vancouver Island has hundreds of fresh water lakes set in beautiful settings offering the beginner or avid angler with unforgettable experiences. The possibilities are endless. Using our seaplanes you could fish three to four different lakes in one day. The targeted species are cutthroat and rainbow trout. Each lake has different characteristics regarding size and numbers of fish.

River Fishing – Try one of our river drifts for summer and winter steelhead. Sea run cutthroats and resident rainbows are fished from April to October. Great opportunities exist for salmon in the fall. After packing the aircraft with the raft and guide, our guests board the aircraft bound for a mountain lake. Once at the lake, you start your 8 mile drift down river to the salt water inlet where your floatplane will be waiting to return you to Tofino. The flight alone puts you in the deep recesses of Clayoquot Sound. The pilots and guides will be sure to show you around and point out wildlife along the way.