Tofino is located on the rugged Pacific coastline on the western side of Vancouver Island. It is home to miles of sandy beaches and a great place to take a whale or black bear watching cruise aboard a zodiac boat. With a backdrop of snow capped mountains and temperate rainforest it is an area of awe-inspiring natural beauty.
Situated on the west coast of Vancouver Island by the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino is one of Western Canada's must-see destinations, and should be included in any itinerary around Vancouver Island.
The Clayoquot Sound region where Tofino is located has been home to the Nuu-cha-nulth First Nations people for at least the last 5,000 years. European contact came in the late 18th Century, and the townsite was named after a Spanish Hydrographer Vincente Tofino when it was established in 1909. It wasn't until a logging road was built across the island from Port Alberni in 1959 that the area became accessible by road, though initially this was only possible at weekends when the logging trucks weren't using the route. Young people started making the journey across at weekends and many makeshift camps were set up in the Long Beach area forming the beginning of the town's surf culture. In 1970, the area was designated as the Pacific Rim National Park, and after the road to Tofino was paved in 1972 it became part of the Trans Canada Highway, and its most Westerly point.
Today, Tofino and Clayoquot Sound gets over 600,000 visitors each year who come to enjoy the surfing, see whales migrating between Baja to Alaska, Black Bears foraging in the nearby inlets, or just to relax in some of the excellent lodges and hotels in the region.
There are a wealth of activities you can take part in during your stay in Tofino including the following:
Hiking - Take a stroll along one of the many beaches, join one of the boardwalk trails in the area through the lush temperate rainforest or climb one of the mountains to get a panoramic view of Clayoquot Sound.
Bear Watching - Clayoquot Sound is home to a large number of black bears and you can take a bear watching cruise aboard a zodiac boat to watch these beautiful animals foraging on the beaches. The sheltered ocean near their main habitat means the waters can be very calm making the excursions ideal for photography.
Whale Watching - Between March and October, grey whales make their annual migration South from Alaska to Baja. You can get a glimpse of them from the shore if you are lucky and have good binoculars, but by far the best way to see these amazing marine mammals is on a whale watching cruise. You might also see sea otters, sea lions, and sometimes humpback whales, orcas and porpoises.
Fishing - The waters of Clayoquot Sound are teeming with fish and there are many fishing charters that visitors can join. Salmon fishing is the main attraction, but if you prefer freshwater fishing, you can take a floatplane flight to some of the more remote lakes and streams for some real wild fishing.
Kayaking - Taking a sea kayaking trip allows you to see this amazing area from the calm waters of Tofino Inlet. Novices can take a guided kayaking trip, or for the more experienced, hire your own and take to the waters of Clayoquot Sound (though take care of the powerful tides and waves)!
Surfing - Tofino has over 35kms of surfable beaches so there is plenty of room for novices and experts alike. The waters are cool so a wetsuit is essential, preferably with gloves and a hood, but the waves are amazing. If you don't want to get wet yourself, just watching the experts in action is exciting enough.
Paddle Boarding - Surfing's more sedate cousin, stand up paddleboarding is suited to the calmer waters of Tofino Inlet. If you've never tried this before, why not take an introductory lesson?
Storm Watching - Winter in Tofino is storm watching season. Watch the twenty foot swell surging toward the shore and huge Ocean waves crashing onto the beaches as gales blow and rains fall either from the outdoors, wrapped up in wet-weather gear, or from the comfort of the fireside in a beachfront lounge or jacuzzi.
And much more - Enjoy and indulgent spa treatment at one of Tofino's luxury lodges, visit the local hot springs, play a round of golf, take a flightseeing trip in a floatplane or hire a bike or scooter.
Lying on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino has amazing wide sandy beaches looking out over the mighty pacific ocean. They are perfect places for surfing, cycling, relaxing and even storm watching. Here are a few of the best beaches to be found here;
Chesterman Beach
1.7 miles of white sand form this beautiful beach, one of the most popular for Tofino's residents. At the north end of the beach is the famous Wickaninnish Inn. At low tide you can explore the tide-pools which are home to many marine lifeforms including starfish and sea anemones. Learn to surf (or watch people trying it out) or visit the Carving Shed to see local wood carvers at work. All this is set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Long Beach
At nearly 10 miles long, this beach is aptly named. Stretching south from Wickaninnish Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park it passes by the First Nation community of Esowista. Out to the ocean, the keen eyed may catch sight of passing grey or humpback whales. Driftwood collects along the beach bordering the old growth forest adding an almost mystical quality to the surroundings. Ideal for winter storm watching, you can see the powerful tide flood the beach helping to make sure its landscape is constantly changing - check with a local tide guide for the best time to visit.
Cox Bay
Nearly a mile long, this beach is home to the Pacific Sands Resort and the Long Beach Lodge. The consistent surf break means you're almost certain to see skilled surfers catching the waves. There are lots of driftwood shelters built by visitors, or you could try building your own. At low tide, you can explore the tidal caves at the northern tip of the bay, though keep watch for ocean surges at all times.
MacKenzie Beach
Situated close to Tofino town, this beach is home to much calmer waters than some of its neighbours as it it sheltered by some well positioned tidal rocks. It is the ideal place to try stand-up paddleboarding, the calm-water cousin of surfing. The calm waters make it a great place for children - why not try building a sandcastle.
Wickaninnish Beach
Located within Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park, this is a vast stretch of sandy beach where hundreds of pieces of weather-worn driftwood can be found. Relax in the sand dunes and watch the power of the Pacific Ocean. You can also make the climb up to the observation deck of the Kwisitis Visitor Centre for panoramic views across the ocean.
Tofino has 4 very distinct seasons so a visit in summer can be completely different to autumn or winter when the storm-watching season is at its peak. Each season has an appeal all of its own.
Spring
Watch waves pounding the beaches and surfers braving the swells. Spring flowers come into bloom and there is a feeling of renewal after the winter season. The skies are often silver with azure blue horizons.
Summer
The summer days can be long and warm. Early risers will be greeted with misty blue and pink sunrises. Spend your days relaxing on the white sand beaches, try a surfing lesson (or just watch the experts). Late in the day, watch the spectacular sunsets over the ocean.
Autumn
Local residents will often say September and October are their favourite months. The weather is still warm and the sunsets still beautiful, but there is more calm as the beaches are a little quieter. It's a great time for wildlife watching - grey whales will be passing by on their annual migration south and the black bears will be getting themselves well fed in preparation for their winter hibernation.
Winter
Temperatures rarely drop below freezing so snow is a rarity, but in winter Tofino is famous for storm watching. Get fully suited in rain-gear or relax by an ocean-front fireside and watch the powerful tides shuffling the driftwood like matchsticks and the trees being sculpted by the winds. It's a showcase of nature at it's most powerful and spectacular.
Tofino Average Daily High Temperatures (Degrees Celcius)
January: 7
February: 8
March: 9
April: 11
May: 14
June: 16
July: 18
August: 19
September: 17
October: 13
November: 9
December: 7
