Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Tofino sits at the tip of the Esowista Peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where the road ends and Clayoquot Sound opens into a maze of inlets, islands and temperate rainforest. The sound is a UNESCO biosphere region and the traditional territory of Nuu-chah-nulth nations, including the Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht. Once a small fishing and logging settlement, the town has become one of Canada's best-known surf communities without losing its weathered, end-of-the-road feel.
Days here tend to follow the tide and the weather. Surfers head to Cox Bay and Chesterman Beach, while the long sweep of sand inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve draws walkers and beachcombers. Water taxis cross to Meares Island, where a boardwalk trail winds among enormous old-growth cedars, and longer boat or floatplane trips reach the natural pools of Hot Springs Cove. Whale-watching tours look for gray and humpback whales, and guided paddles explore the sheltered waters of Clayoquot Sound. Back in town, the harbour, galleries and the Naa'Waya'Sum Gardens make for an easy afternoon.
Tofino suits people who want the outdoors without roughing it. Summer is busy and lodging books early, while late fall and winter bring dramatic storms, quieter beaches and cozy inns built for watching the surf roll in. Ucluelet, a short drive south, makes a natural side trip.
WiserMap travel guideTofino British Columbia Surf Beaches and Hot Springs CovePlan a Tofino trip with surf beaches, Clayoquot Sound boat tours, Hot Springs Cove, rainforest boardwalks, local food, stays and a simple three day itinerary.Read the guide
Long sandy beach just south of town, popular with surfers, families and beachcombers. At low tide you can walk out to Frank Island and explore the tide pools. Many beachfront inns line the shore, and public access is from Lynn Road and Chesterman Beach Road.
Wide, exposed bay south of Tofino with some of the most consistent surf in Canada and a busy surf scene year round. Surf schools offer lessons and wetsuit rentals nearby. The water is cold, so a thick wetsuit is needed in every season.
Small, sheltered beach a short walk from the town center, reached by the Tonquin Trail through coastal forest and down a set of stairs. Rocky headlands and islands make it a lovely spot for sunset. It is one of the easiest beaches to reach without a car.
Calm, sheltered beach close to town, protected from the biggest swells, which makes it good for families and beginners on paddleboards. Several resorts and campgrounds back onto it. Sunsets over the islands are beautiful here at low tide.
Natural hot springs in Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, about an hour and a half north by boat or a short floatplane flight. A boardwalk through the rainforest leads to steaming pools that spill into the sea. Book a tour that includes whale watching on the way.
Boat tours from Tofino harbour head out into Clayoquot Sound and the open Pacific to look for grey whales, humpbacks, orcas and sea lions. Spring migration from March to May is a highlight. Choose a covered boat on cold days or a zodiac for a more exciting ride.
Sea kayaking among the islands, inlets and calm waters of Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO biosphere region around Tofino. Guided trips range from a few hours to several days. Currents and weather change fast, so go with a guide unless you are experienced.
Forested island across the harbour from Tofino, home to the Big Tree Trail with giant, centuries-old western red cedars. Water taxis make the short crossing. The boardwalk trail can be slippery and partly closed for repairs, so check conditions before going.
Gardens on the edge of town with forest paths, sculptures and plantings along the mudflats of Tofino Inlet, a good place to watch shorebirds. It is a peaceful spot on a rainy day. Check opening hours before visiting, as they vary through the year.
Working harbour at the end of the road, with fishing boats, floatplanes, water taxis and tour operators all side by side. Walk along the First Street dock and Main Street for views of the islands and the mountains. Many tours depart from here.
Gallery of renowned Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers, housed in a building inspired by a traditional longhouse with carved cedar posts. It shows his prints, paintings and carvings. It is free to visit and sits right in the town center.
Local craft brewery near the town center, known for beers inspired by the coast such as its kelp stout. The tasting room serves flights and pours, and growlers can be filled to go. It is a relaxed stop after a day on the beach.
No reviews yet. Been to Tofino? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Tofino? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Adam Jones, Ph.D., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Shaundd, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: ImagePerson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Davidwegan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kyla Duhamel from Saskatoon, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Darren Kirby from Penticton, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Pat (Cletch) Williams from Dearborn, MI, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Billyshiverstick, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: ImagePerson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Olivier Lévy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kjfmartin (talk). Original uploader was Kjfmartin at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kjfmartin at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: dvs from Vermont, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Buiobuione, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: dvs from Vermont, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Buiobuione, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sarena D, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: terri_bateman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Islander61, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kevin He, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Colin W, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Lorne Kelly, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: David Abercrombie, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: ImagePerson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: SandraPaquin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: User:SpezNc (Nicolas Lamarche Lauzon), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Roy Luck, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Aaron Carlson from Lake Mills, WI, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Carlson from Lake Mills, WI, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Carlson from Lake Mills, WI, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Carlson from Lake Mills, WI, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Carlson from Lake Mills, WI, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Kevin He, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Kevin He, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner from Wellington, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner from Wellington, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Rob Dabal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Rob Dabal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Sam Beebe/Ecotrust, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Samsmachado, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Hardo Müller from Bonn, Germany, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner from Wellington, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
