Tofino sits at the end of Highway 4 on Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island. This former logging and fishing village now draws people for surf, whales, rainforest walks and storm watching.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
Late spring to early autumn for boat trips, or winter for storm watching.
How long
Three days lets you cover the beaches, a boat trip and the town.
Getting there
Drive Highway 4 from Nanaimo or fly into the small airport near Long Beach.
Why visit Tofino
Tofino is small, with a population of about 2,500, yet it packs in long sandy beaches, old growth forest and a maze of inlets and islands.
Visitors also come for grey whales, hot springs reached by boat, and kayaking in sheltered water. In winter many facilities close, but storm watchers arrive to see big Pacific swells.
Beaches and rainforest
Chesterman Beach
About five kilometres from downtown, Chesterman Beach is slightly sheltered by offshore islands, which makes it the best surf for beginners. It is also a lovely place to walk at low tide. Parking lots sit at the north and south ends, so pick the end closest to where you want to start.
Cox Bay
The next beach south often has bigger waves than Chesterman. The north parking lot has toilets and showers, while the south lot is a longer walk from town. Allow an hour to watch the surfers, or longer if you plan to paddle out yourself.
Long Beach
Long Beach lies inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, near the airport and golf course. It really is long, with room to roam even on busy days. A park pass is required here, so check the Parks Canada website before you arrive.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Beyond the sand, the reserve has rocky headlands and boardwalk trails through old growth forest. Visitor centres at Cox Bay and the junction for Ucluelet and Tofino can hand you a map. Plan at least a half day to link a beach with a short forest walk.
Out on the water
Meares Island
This island across the water from Tofino is reached by water taxi or boat and is home to the main village of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. Hikers come for the forest trails.
Hot Springs Cove
About 43 kilometres northwest of town, natural hot water flows through connected pools down to the ocean. You travel by boat or floatplane and then walk about two kilometres through forest.
Whale watching
Tours run from late February to late October, and grey whales are the species most often seen. Operators in the village offer trips of a few hours in covered or open boats.
Kayaking in Clayoquot Sound
The sound is known for sea kayaking, with guided trips from a couple of hours to several days. Experience is usually not required for the shorter outings.
In and around town
Tofino village and harbour
The village is small enough to walk, and a bike and foot path runs down toward Cox Bay. Wander the waterfront, browse the shops on Main Street and look for the House of Himwitsa, a First Nations owned gallery of masks, carvings and jewellery.
Naa'Waya'Sum Gardens
This garden on Pacific Rim Highway covers about twelve acres of forest, shoreline and planted beds with educational exhibits and a cafe. It is a gentle stop on a rainy afternoon.
Food and local flavors
Seafood leads the menu here, and some kitchens will cook your own catch in a wood-fired oven. Look for smoked Pacific salmon, which a gallery on Main Street sells in season.
The Common Loaf Bake Shop on First Street has been baking breads, scones and wood-fired pizza for decades, and its bulletin board is half the fun. Beachfront cafes and farmers markets fill in the rest.
Popular dishes to try in Tofino
Where to stay
Chesterman Beach is the pick if you want to wake up to surf sounds, with a mix of beach houses and resorts a short drive from town. It suits couples, families and anyone planning to surf at dawn.
Cox Bay is further south and has bigger waves and a lively surf scene, so it works for confident surfers who want to be steps from the water. Downtown Tofino puts you within walking distance of restaurants, whale watching docks and the water taxi.
Where to stay in Tofino
Best time to visit
Summer is the driest season and the best for boat trips, though it is also the busiest. Whale watching runs from late February to late October.
Winter is wet and many businesses close, but storm watching and big surf attract a loyal crowd. Surfers in the water use thick wet suits all year.
Getting there and getting around
Highway 4 is the only road in. It is twisty and narrow, particularly west of Port Alberni, and best driven in daylight. From Vancouver, take BC Ferries to Nanaimo and drive the rest.
Tofino-Ucluelet Airport, also called Long Beach Airport, sits about nineteen kilometres southeast of town, with scheduled flights from Vancouver and Victoria. Seaplanes also run in season.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start with a walk on Chesterman Beach at low tide, then browse the village and its galleries.
Second day
Join a boat trip to Hot Springs Cove with whale watching along the way.
Third day
Spend the morning on Long Beach and a rainforest boardwalk in the national park reserve.
Practical tips
- Pack rain layers in every season, because the coast is wet and cool.
- Buy the park pass required for Long Beach before you arrive.
- Book whale watching and hot springs trips ahead in summer.
- Drive Highway 4 in daylight and allow extra time for the winding road.
- Check tide times before beach walks and keep clear of drift logs in surf.
