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 It's the event with increasing allure year after year - the annual spring
migration of the Pacific gray whales. And Tofino And Ucluelet on the west coast of
Vancouver Island are gearing up to celebrate with the 2000 Pacific Rim Whale Festival that
runs from March 18-April 2, 2000.
The whales have been doing it since time immemorial, but
it's only in recent years that tourists and locals alike have come flocking to witness
this mass migration. It is estimated that 19,000 gray whales - the entire North American
population - take part in the 8,000 km journey. Their slow, but steady migration
begins in the Baja Peninsula, where calving lagoons are prevalent, and ends at their
summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea.
 Viewing
opportunities abound as whale festival viewing stations will be set up in the area. And
the whales aren't camera shy. They swim close to the shoreline making it easy to catch a
glimpse of the mammoth cetaceans. The many rocky outcroppings along the shoreline present
possibilities for even closer looks. To get the ultimate closeup view of the grays, there
are many whale-watching charters that head out onto the rolling Pacific daily.
The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is a joint effort among
Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park. It is not only entertaining, but it can be
a valuable learning experience as well with a diverse array of educational programs. From
March 18-21 marine mammal "Aqua Kits" supplied by the Vancouver Aquarium will be
available to help you brush up on your knowledge of the ocean. These kits are packed with
information about the whales, other marine mammals and the west coast's marine
environment. Whale-watching hikes guided by a park interpretor have also been organized.
Films and displays as well as other information will be available at the Wickaninnish
Centre every day during the festival.
Take part in the fun activities planned like the Chowder
Chow Down, a competition to see who can come up with the tastiest seafood chowder
(Ucluelet.) Don't forget to check out the parade and you definitely don't want to
miss the enchanting storytelling by Roy Henry Vickers.
Besides whale watching, there are any number of other
outdoor activities to enjoy such as hiking, fishing, surfing, or just strolling along
world-famous Long beach.
The whales will be showing up soon so make arrangements to
witness this incredible ocean spectacle. But if you can't make it this year, there's
always next year's festival which runs March 18 to April 2, 2000. To find out more, check
out Pacific Rim Annual Whale Festival 2000's website at www.island.net/whalefest or e-mail: whalefest@island.net .
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