Discover Tofino: 14 Reasons This Coastal Paradise Should Be On Your Radar
Located on the outermost west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is literally the end of the road.
Hugged by the wild ocean and ancient forests, this small town sits on land that’s traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation for ages.
It’s part of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region, a place so special it’s recognized globally.
Here’s a mere taster of the top things to do in Tofino.
1. Go Bear Watching
When people think of Tofino, they think of fishing, surfing, and hiking but one of the best hidden things to do in Tofino is…bear watching!
The wildlife is diverse, and you can marvel at black bears in their natural habitat by boat tour.
Manned by guides, you’ll likely catch a sighting of a bear swiping salmon out of the waters.
2. Go Beach Hopping
The rugged coastline of Tofino is famous for its long wide beaches and rolling, world-class waves.
The options are endless here and you’ll be spoiled with choices!
Make sure you check out the following beaches:
Long Beach
With a name like Long Beach, it’s no surprise that this stretch of sandy coastline is the longest beach on the island, spanning 10 miles (16 km).
Long Beach is located within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and provides amazing panoramic views of the ocean.
Best For: This beach is ideal for walking, surfing, jogging, and even storm watching.
Chesterman Beach
Located just off the Pacific Rim Highway, this beach is very popular with the locals and gets very crowded.
If you want a quiet and secluded beach, this is not the beach for you!
Best For: This beach is ideal for walking, surfing, and exploring sea caves.
Cox Bay
Surfing is one of the must do’s in Tofino and with a nickname like “Surf Beach”, this beach is known as one of the top surfing spots here.
Located south of Chesterman Beach and north of Long Beach, Cox Bay is home to many surfing competitions due to its ideal conditions.
Best For: This beach is ideal for surfing.
MacKenzie Beach
Located north of Chesterman Beach, the waters at MacKenzie Beach are much calmer than the other beaches making it perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming.
Best For: This beach is a little more secluded making it an excellent option if you’re looking for a relaxing atmosphere.
Wickaninnish Beach
Located south of Long Beach and named after the great Chief Wickaninnish, this beach is a classic example of a postcard.
Best For: The location and beauty of Wickaninnish Beach makes it ideal for beach exploring and snapping photos for the ‘gram.
3. Spend Time Storm Watching
Anywhere else in the world, the winter rainstorms from December to January would be a total wash for tourism and declared off-season.
But not in Tofino! The waves during storm watch season in this part of the world can roll up to a mind-bending 20-feet.
Storm watching is a seasonal activity and an exhilarating chase for some, making it one of the best things to do in Tofino during the winter.
4. Catch Some Surfing Waves
Being one of the top cold-water surf destinations in the world, you obviously can’t miss out on surfing in Tofino.
Prestigious competitions like the O’Neill Cold Water Classic were held here in the past.
This town is considered Canada’s surfing capital and you can surf any time of the year if you really wanted to.
Catching some gnarly waves during the storm season might come to mind, but you definitely want to leave those waves for storm watching instead and head to the beach in the summer for surfing!
During the peak summer months, waves crest at 2-5 feet on average; these waves will seem monstrous for any beginner surfer!
5. Indulge in Food & Drinks
By now, you must be getting hungry and wondering what’s there to eat in Tofino.
You’ve come to the right place because this quaint little town is full of places where you can feast all night long!
Shelter Restaurant, Kuma Tofino, and Wolf in the Fog are all popular digs.
Love Tacofino? Grab one of their famous fish tacos at the original Tacofino food truck that started it all.
If that all sounds like too much, grab take-out from the Wildside Grill and head to the beach to watch the fog roll in.
6. Go Deep Sea Fishing
Set sail for adventure in Tofino’s deep blue waters where fishing becomes a thrilling quest for all ages.
Even if the fish are shy, the views won’t disappoint; the Clayoquot Sound Mountains serve as the most breathtaking backdrop.
There are teems of good fishing spots and a whole variety of exciting fish to catch off the coast of Tofino.
Local guides are ready to share their hidden corners of the sea, where the real action is.
The best time for deep sea fishing in Tofino is during the summer, from June to September.
7. Go Whale Watching
March and April is the best time to take an open-ocean adventure trip to see gray whales.
These majestic creatures leave their winter breeding grounds in Mexico and migrate along the coast on their way to Alaska.
Orcas show up unexpectedly during the spring, summer, and fall.
If you’re vacationing in Tofino during the summer, you might just get a glimpse of the humpback whales in the waters of Clayoquot Sound!
8. Go Sea Kayaking
Learn what makes the Tofino wilderness special by embarking on a sea kayaking adventure.
Tofino Sea Kayaking provides guided tours that take you through the waters of Clayoquot Sound, while educating visitors on the significance and honoring the traditional territories of the Tla-o-qui-aht, Ahousaht, and Hesquit First Nations.
9. Go Camping
In Tofino, camping is whatever you want it to be! Whether you’re all about the simple, outdoor life or love a bit of luxury under the stars, there’s a perfect spot for you.
Imagine waking up to the ocean’s melody right at your tent flap – it’s all here.
If you’re booking a provincial campground, reservations can be make up to 4 months in advance.
10. Discover Hiking Trails
From easy walks in the park to ankle-breaking rugged terrain like the Lone Cone Trail, there are plenty of hiking trails in Tofino where you can catch a breath of fresh air.
The meandering trails at Pacific Rim National Park are easy-going and you can spend the day getting lost around the many inlets.
If you want to see something truly amazing, check out the Big Tree Trail. The aptly named trail features some of the largest trees in British Columbia. Some trees are over 1000 years old!
To get here you need to take a short water taxi ride from Tofino.
11. Relax at Tofino Hot Springs Cove
If you love relaxing in hot springs then you’ll want to add this to your Tofino bucket list!
The Hot Springs Cove has 7 natural rock pools of geothermal water, perfect for reviving your weary muscles after a long hike.
To get here you’ll need to take a 20-minute floatplane ride from Tofino or an 80-minute long water taxi ride.
Be sure to bring water shoes or footwear with some grip as the rocks are quite slippery!
12. Visit Pacific Rim National Park
Pacific Rim National Park is known as one of the most amazing parks in Canada and a top Tofino attraction with beauty at every turn.
Walk through the vibrant emerald rainforest on one of many hiking trails and you’ll come across the stunning coastline.
Or take a quiet stroll on the pristine beaches and marvel at the incredible natural surroundings.
While it’s free to drive through the park, you’ll need to pay a fee if you want to stay and explore.
13. Satisfy Your Sweeth Tooth
Do you have a sweet tooth you just can’t seem to shake? Two words for you: Chocolate Tofino.
This is a to-die-for chocolate shop and gelateria that uses local ingredients such as sweet Vancouver Island honey and freshly foraged blackberries.
Rumor has it when there’s a power outage, ice cream sells at half-price!
Another hot tip: ask to see their secret menu that features naughty flavors with what the owner refers to as “pretty un-kid friendly” rum raisins!
14. Explore Ucluelet
If you’re visiting Tofino and have time to spare, why not take a short trip south to Ucluelet.
There are many things to do in Ucluelet, including:
The Wild Pacific Trail – Go for a leisure hike with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the lush old-growth forests, and even a 100-year-old lighthouse!
Ucluelet Aquarium – Check out the diverse marine life of the Pacific Northwest. An excellent family-friendly thing to do in Ucluelet, especially when it’s raining (as it does most of the year on the West Coast).
All marine life housed here are caught and released back into the wild. This guarantees that the exhibits at the Ucluelet Aquarium always remain new and interesting.
Long Beach – Head south from Tofino and check out the other end of Long Beach!
Top Places to Stay in Tofino
If you’re looking to splurge, Wickaninnish Inn is a great place to stay. Don’t let the exterior fool you, the interior is beautifully designed with floor to ceiling windows, giving you the best views to wake up to.
Looking for a quiet retreat? The gorgeous rustic accommodations at Middle Beach Lodge will be your sanctuary.
Step outside and you’ll be surrounded by the lush rainforests to the east and an endless stretch of waterfront to the west.
If you’d rather live like a local, there’s always Airbnb.
The Cox Bay Cottage is a modern take on a cottage with many excellent amenities. The location is prime as it’s tucked between two of the top beaches in Tofino, Chesterman Beach and Cox Bay.
Final Thoughts
Everyone needs a little island time, and you can see why.
Tofino is a place full of natural wonders to explore, waves to surf, and a relaxing vibe you won’t find in the big cities.
It may be the “end of the road” but it’s a beautiful end and you really need to be here to find out what it’s like!
