Private & Custom Charters in Tofino — Build Your Own Day
This is what CatFace Charters is really about. It's your boat to use for the day, your captain, and your plan — nobody else aboard, and no fixed route. Tell Captain Ian (Skipper) what you're hoping for and he'll build a day around the tides, the weather, and what you most want out of the water. Can't decide between fishing, bears, scenery and a sunset? Good news: you don't have to choose.
How it works
- Tell Captain Ian what you're into. Fishing? Wildlife? A calm scenic day? A special occasion? A bit of everything?
- Builds the day. Captain Ian shapes the route and timing around the tides and conditions so you're in the right place at the right time.
- You go. It's your boat for the day — and the plan can still flex once you're out there.
Mix and match your day
Pick a few, or all of them:
- Fish — troll for salmon, drop for bottom fish, chase halibut.
- Drop a trap — crab and prawns you can take home for dinner.
- Find the wildlife — drift the inlets at low tide for coastal black bears, eagles, seals and otters.
- Cruise the scenery — old-growth shoreline, glassy inlets, Meares Island.
- End on a sunset — ride home into the golden hour.
Add-ons Captain Ian can talk through
- Crabbing & prawning as an add-on to any trip.
- A run toward Hot Springs Cove — a remote geothermal spot up the coast. Note it honestly: access is limited (only one boat per day is permitted in), and it makes for a long day, so we plan toward it rather than promise it. Ask Captain Ian and he'll tell you what's realistic for your dates.
Who it's for
People who want the day to be theirs — special occasions, photographers chasing the right light and tide, families who want flexibility, and anyone who'd rather build an experience than book a ticket.
Wildlife is wild and the weather runs the show out here — nothing's guaranteed. What you can count on is Captain Ian's local knowledge and a day built around giving you the best shot at what you came for.
Frequently asked questions
- Can we really combine fishing and wildlife in one day?
- Yes — that's the whole point. A morning of fishing can roll into a crab-trap pull, a drift past a bear at low tide, and a sunset run home.
- How long is a custom trip?
- However long you want — from a half-day to a full day. Call and we'll design it.
- How many people can come?
- It's your private group. Call and we'll confirm capacity for your plan.
- What does it cost?
- Because every day is custom, pricing depends on length and what you want to do — call Captain Ian and he'll give you a straight answer for your plan.
- Can we go to Hot Springs Cove?
- Sometimes — access is limited to one boat per day and it's a long day, so we plan toward it rather than guarantee it. Ask Captain Ian.
- Do you take kids?
- Yes — a private boat is the easiest, most relaxed way to get a family on the water.
Ready to get on the water?
It's just you, your group, and Captain Ian (Skipper). Call to check dates and build your day.
It's a two-minute, no-pressure chat — you'll get a straight answer and a real number for your date, and asking costs nothing. If Captain Ian's out on the water, leave a message and he'll ring you back. Not a phone person? Send a message instead.