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Tofino BC is one of the most favored tourist spots in Canada. It is a small, isolated coastal community on Vancouver Island.
Its vast beaches, temperate weather, and laid-back atmosphere make it one of the most popular places in British Columbia,, without a doubt.
There are numerous reasons to visit this location. Tofino, British Columbia, is the ideal ocean escape for your weekend if you detest the hectic city life and need a vacation badly.
Located on Vancouver island’s west coast, Tofino is a secluded place where people mainly come to sit back, relax, and unwind in the Pacific Rim National Park.
Simple things like experiencing the majestic sunset on the various beaches or surfing on the waves are bound to give you immense joy!
It is a tiny town with just one main road, and the shops are lined along both sides of the way. The local food scene of Tofino BC is worth mentioning too!
Since this place is on a peninsula- there is water everywhere. The town mainly thrives on tourism and water activities like surfing, kayaking, or a boat trip.
The majority of Canadians travel to Tofino for weekend getaways. Therefore, we advise giving this little trip at least 2-3 days so you may explore and get to know the natural beauty on a completely different level.
Today, we’ll give you a thorough tour of Tofino, British Columbia. Then let’s get going!
Best Things to do in Tofino BC
Tofino is bordered by temperate forests, coves, sunny beaches, and turquoise lakes on the Pacific coast.
An excursion to Tofino, British Columbia, should last a weekend or two days.
1. Walk along the Long Beach
Long Beach is a part of the Pacific Rim National Park and is the center of attraction in Tofino, BC.
This beach extends for 16kms and is incredibly wide when the tide is out. Go for a walk with your partner holding hands, or sit and watch the waves.
Long Beach is also a very well-known location for hiking and surfing.
On this beach, a large rock island known as The Incinerator Rock may be seen in the distance. On the City of Long Beach website, you can locate parking lots.
2. Go Surfing
Tofino BC is known as the surfer’s paradise. It is indeed the surf capital of Canada.
If you go to Tofino and come back without trying your luck at surfing, then you have committed a crime!
Chesterman Beach is the ideal beach to surf. Whether a newbie or an experienced surfer, this particular beach’s rolling yet gentle waves are for everyone.
Even if you have never tried to surf before, you will find a lot of instructors giving lessons on the beach! Don’t have a surfboard? Don’t worry. Tofino has got you covered! You can rent them at the shops in the little town.
3. Go Hiking
A lot of hiking trails are accessible from Tofino, BC. The most prominent characteristic of the hiking trails of Tofino and Ucluelet is that they are comparatively shorter than the other trails in Canada.
Forests on all sides surround the place. Hiking through those old Western red cedars and Douglas Firs of these forests is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Some of the most famous trails of Tofino are South Beach Trail And Schooner Cove Trail.
4. Enjoy the Food Scenes of Tofino BC
There are a lot of good local foods to try out in Tofino. The first I’d suggest is Tacofino. Tacofino is a food truck located in the heart of the town. You must try out their fish tacos, a Tofino and Caesar salad staple!
Rhino cafe, located in the heart of the town, is a charming place to go for a date! Don’t forget to grab the special day’s doughnut before you leave.
Other special mentions are Wolf in the Fog and The Hatch.
5. Try out Tofino Brewing Company
What can be more impressive than a place that offers handcrafted local beer? This brewing company is a local favourite that provides a lot of snacks and craft beer.
The different ales here are indeed a must-try.
6. Go on Whale Watching and Bear Watching Tours!
Exploring the ocean is a big part of a Tofino trip. Whale-watching tours are highly rated in Tofino and continue from March to October.
An example of a well-known whale-watching trip provider is Jamie’s Whaling Station. There are many grey whales, sea lions, orcas, and even humpback whales to be seen in the summer.
Similarly, bear-watching tours are a thing in Tofino, BC, and you will find plenty of trip advisors offering guided tours. The infamous black bears of Canada are found in plenty here.
Tip: The bear-watching tour is not an option if you visit in winter as bears go into hibernation.
7. Experience Storm Watching During the Winter
One of the most remarkable things to do in Tofino, BC, is storm watching. This mainly takes place during the winter but can also occur in the late fall.
It usually rains during winters in Tofino, which leads to storms frequently. The wave can sometimes rise to 6 feet, showing us how powerful the Pacific Ocean can get.
Get all cozy in your waterproof jackets and experience this pure bliss sitting on the docks of your hotel.
8. Enjoy sunset at Cox Bay
Cox Bay is one of the best places to experience the mesmerizing sunset of Tofino. There is even a secret trail leading up to a hill, and watching the sunset from there can be a moment of sheer joy!
The sunsets of this place are epic and dramatic. Though every beach in Tofino, BC, offers fantastic sunsets, Long Beach and Cox Bay sunsets are highly recommended by tourists.
You won’t have a problem finding a parking lot at all. You will find not one parking lot but many around the beach.
The parking lot services are free. The parking lot on the northern end has washrooms and showers. The main parking lot is further down the highway to Maltby Road.
9. Relax at the Hot Springs Cove
Hot Spring Cove is a short trip away from Tofino. You hike through a rainforest trail of 1.5 km following the cedar blackwood. It is home to a lot of sea birds and whales as well.
This path will take you to a series of enchanting hot springs. Soak yourself in the sun and enjoy the cascading waterfalls and Pacific ocean views.
Tip: Get a tour guide that will offer a combination of bear and whale watching tours along with the Hot springs cove. It will save you a great deal of money.
10. Explore Tofino’s Botanical garden
Tofino Botanical Gardens are a classic combination of nature and art! The beautiful garden and forest parts are surrounded by detailed artwork and woodwork.
Some of these stand out to be unique, and others are so identical that they get blended into nature. The Spring season in this garden is fantastic as you can experience the different colored rhododendrons.
Visit this garden to get in touch with nature and look into Tofino’s vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
11. Admire the works of Eagle Aerie Gallery
This gallery can be easily located on the main road of Tofino, BC. It features intricate details and the colorful works of Roy Henry Vickers.
It won’t be a problem even if you don’t want to buy anything. Just visit this place and gaze at the beautiful works of the artist.
The jobs are all about the wildlife and the scenic beauty of the west coast.
12. Clayoquot Sound
Tofino BC is a major inlet for Clayoquot Sound. Clayoquot Sound is a beautiful body of water on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
There are roughly twenty salmon farms in Clayoquot Sound. In the nearby jungles, ecotourism at Clayoquot Sound is well-known.
13. Wild Pacific Trail
The Vancouver Islands’ reefs are walked along the Wild Pacific Trail. A loop of the Wild Pacific Trail begins close to the lighthouse.
5 km to the north of Big Beach Park is another path. An excellent place to take pictures of shipwrecks and coastal vistas is the Wild Pacific Trail.
Wheelchair accessibility is available on Wild Pacific Trail. The Wild Pacific Trail is popular with hikers, photographers, and bird watchers.
14. Tofino Resort Marina
Tofino Resort Marina provides a waterfront hotel accommodation service. At Tofino Resort Marina, you can paddle, surf, and bathe in hot springs.
On Vancouver’s west coast, there is only the Tofino Resort Marina. The 1909 Kitchen at Tofino Resort Marina features delicious cuisine prepared by executive chef Terry Somerville.
15. Mackenzie Beach
Mackenzie is a sheltered beach in Tofino BC . Cliffs and rocky headlands lie on both sides of Mackenzie beach. Mackenzie beach is quiet, tranquil, and great for family vacations.
Mackenzie beach also has a small bay at the south end. Swimming and kayaking are some of the many fun activities on Mackenzie beach.
If you are a fan of quiet relaxation, you can stay in hotels known for having hot tubs and other luxuries. We recommend Hotel Zed Tofino, Ocean Village Beach Resort, and Bayshore Waterfront Inn are known for their hot tub service.
Closing Thoughts
Besides the above activities, you can also make your trip memorable by visiting the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, the Tofino BC shorebird festival, and the Tofino BC lantern festival. Embark on this beautiful journey and see how beautiful the place is!
What are your favourite places or things in Tofino BC? Let us know about your experience in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does one Go to Tofino BC? Best Options to take?
The two nearest airports to Tofino BC are Nanaimo and Comox. Tofino BC is about a 3 to 4 hours drive from these two airports. You will be able to find a lot of car rental companies just outside the airports.
There are daily flights to Nanaimo from both Calgary and Vancouver. You will be able to find flights to Comox from Edmonton.
Daily bus services to Tofino are readily available from the capital city of Vancouver and most of the Vancouver Island community, for that matter of fact.
You need to take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. The direct journey from Vancouver to Tofino takes around 6 hours.
Then it is a 3-hour drive from Nanaimo to Tofino. It will be best if you start from Qualicum near Nanaimo. It is a remarkable journey through the Pacific Rim National highway, also known as the Surf Highway of Canada.
2. The best time and season to visit Tofino, BC?
Tofino experiences quite pleasant weather all year round. The winters aren’t too harsh compared to other parts of Canada.
June to September is the peak season for a trip to Tofino. If you want to try out water activities like kayaking and surfing, I recommend visiting around July and August.
Winter here starts from November till April. Tofino can get a bit chilly at that time- it is the best time for storm and whale watching
3. What are the accommodation options like in Tofino, BC?
There are a lot of cozy hotels in the heart of the town, but as you explore the place, you will discover some hotels on different beaches just 10-15 minutes away from the city center.
If you are okay with the money issue, you can go for Pacific Sands Beach Resort or Long Beach Lodge Resort. Take advantage of the direct beach access for fishing charters and enjoy the best Tofino food pacific northwest.
Standing on the beach, these two properties are both beautiful. These are the greatest if you want the ocean right outside your door or want to sit on the pier and watch the sun go down.
Budget travelers will find Cox Bay Beach Resort a relaxing location with first-rate ocean views. In addition, there are numerous guesthouses where you can stay and take pleasure in this paradisiacal location.
Last Updated on by Sanjana
