Summer beginning. West Coast Trail opens. Humpbacks arriving.
May is the turning point. The West Coast Trail opens May 1. Green Point Campground opens. Humpback whales begin arriving in Clayoquot Sound. The Pacific surf season is building — still uncrowded, consistent waves at Cox Bay. Temperatures are warming but not yet summer. The rainforest is intensely green after the wet winter. The best shoulder-season month on the coast.
Magic window: Humpback Feeding Season (May – Oct)
Humpback whales arrive in Clayoquot Sound in May and feed through October on the upwelling that concentrates fish in the Sound. Sightings on guided tours from Tofino are near-certain in July and August. Gray whales also feed in the area year-round — a resident population of about 30 animals known as the Pacific Coast Feeding Group.
Conditions
Weather: °F high / °F low. Warming. Some rain still. Humpbacks arriving. Best of both seasons.
Crowds: moderate
What's open
- All Pacific Rim NP facilities
- West Coast Trail (opens May 1)
- Green Point Campground
- All operators
Limited or closed
- West Coast Trail permits sell out — book at reservation.pc.gc.ca in January
Prioritize
West Coast Trail if you have a permit. Humpback whale watching by boat from Tofino. Kayaking in Clayoquot Sound before summer crowds. Long Beach boardwalk at low tide.
Wellness
All spa and wellness options available. Meares Island guided cultural walks resuming. Hot Springs Cove season beginning.
Dining
All restaurants fully operational for summer. Reservations begin to matter.
Where to stay
Book ahead — summer fills fast. Green Point Campground opens in May and books up immediately when reservations open.
What to pack
Layers still important. Wetsuit for surf (4/3mm). Rain jacket for forest walks. Binoculars for whale watching.