Travel information
In the summer, Tofino is a very busy tourist destination. The long sandy beaches south of town are the main attraction as is whale watching, hot springs, and surfing. It is a popular place for residents of BC to go as well as for those visiting from outside BC. In the winter, many of the facilities close up. However, there are still a number of travellers who come to see the storm season.
- Hiking - Tofino is a gateway to the Island's backcountry. With a guide or on your own, explore amazing trails or paddle beautiful inlets. There is still a lot of wildlife, such as Orcas, Bald Eagles, and bears.
- Whale Watching - Early in the season, the main attraction is the gray whales that are passing through the area.
- Hot Springs - Approximately 27 miles northwest of Tofino sits Hot Springs Cove, a natural hot spring that flows through interconnecting pools of various temperatures until finally reaching the ocean waters. The hot springs are accessible by boat, followed by a hike through the forest, and so a trip to the hot springs can offer both hiking and the potential for whale watching en route.
- Surf - Tofino is the surfing capital of Canada. There are only beach breaks in Tofino. Surfing (with a 5mm wet suit) is popular whenever the surf is up. Winter brings higher waves yet the temperature is still moderate enough to surf. There are many surfing schools (around $75) and rental shops (around $20 for a 24-hour rental, $40 with wetsuit). There are 3 surfing beaches. Chesterman beach is closest to town. It is slightly sheltered by offshore islands and offers the best surfing for beginners when the surf is heavy. Cox beach is the next beach south. It offers bigger waves and is good to visit in the spring and summer when the waves are smaller. Access is via a 1 km walk through the forest from a resort that is shut down. Cox is the most "localized" beach. Long beach is further south still. It is in the national park and costs money ($13?) to enter (ie. you'll get a ticket on your car in the parking lot while you are surfing if you haven't paid). Long beach is aptly named and there is lots of room. In high season the water at all beaches is packed with beginners and intermediates.
- Festivals & Concerts - There are several festivals throughout the year, most notably the Whale Fest in March during the grey whale migration, the Pacific Rim Summer Festival by the Pacific Rim Arts Society, as well as the Tofino Food & Wine Festival during the summer. One of Tofino's most beautiful events is the annual Lantern Festival, held in the Tofino Botanical Gardens [5] at the end of August. There are concerts on most weekends at the Tofino Legion during the summer, but also in the off-season, when the town has quieted down.
Photos from Tofino, BC, Canada
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- Pacific Rim National Park [4]. Rocky headlands, long beaches, and wild surf, set against Vancouver Island's temperate rain forest. Parking fee $10/day.
Photos from Tofino, BC, Canada
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By car
Tofino is accessible via Highway #4 from Port Alberni. The road, best driven during the day, is very twisty and narrow but offers great views of lakes and mountains on the west coast. Coming from Victoria, you would take Highway #1/#19 north 160km to the Highway #4 turnoff west to Port Alberni. Another 40km brings you to Port Alberni and the start of lower quality roads. The highway will drop you into the middle of town on Johnson Rd, which you follow to the end for a right turn where it T's into River Road. Bear left on River Road as it turns back into Highway #4 and follow it for 100km to another T-junction, turn right. Follow the signs to Tofino at this point, as there is only one road from this point on.
By plane
Tofino-Ucluelet Airport (YAZ), located a few kilometers south of Tofino, in the middle of the Pacific Rim National Park. Regularly scheduled flights to Victoria (YYJ) and Vancouver (YVR) on Orca Airways[2] for $130-$160 one-way. Additionally, Kenmore Air Express[3] offers scheduled service to Tofino-Ucluelet Airport from mid-May through September from Seattle's Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI), with complimentary shuttle transfers to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Fare from Seattle is $264 one-way. Salt Spring Airalso fly all year round from Vancouver airport (yvr) and Vancouver downtown.
By boat
In the summer from Port Alberni, you can catch the Lady Rose to Ucluelet (37km south from Tofino), 4.5 hours, $30 one-way.
If you are starting from Vancouver, catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen to Nanaimo on BC Ferries, and drive the rest of the way.
Photos from Tofino, BC, Canada
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- Clayoquot Crafts, [6] Beautiful eco furniture handcrafted from salvaged local Canadian western red cedar.. Phone: 250.725.3990
Photos from Tofino, BC, Canada
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- Calm Waters Dining Room at Tin Wis Resort — 1119 Pacific Rim Highway, (250) 725-4447. [7]
- Raincoast Café — 1-120 Fourth St., (250) 725-2215. [8]
- Schooner Restaurant on Second — 331 Campbell St., (250) 725-3444.
- Sea Shanty Restaurant — 300 Main St., (250) 725-2902. [9]
- Shelter Restaurant — 601 Campbell St., (250) 725-3353. [10]
- SoBo — 311 Neill Street [11], Outstanding! Have the chowder, the killer fish taco and the tofu pockets. Lunch about $15 / person, Dinner for about $30 / person.
- The Pointe at the Wickaninnish Inn — Osprey Lane at Chesterman Beach, 1-800-333-4604. [12] - Beautiful Pacific Northwest cuisine with ocean views (during daylight hours). Breakfast, lunch & dinner, at approx. $25/$35/$80/person.
- Tough City Sushi Bar — 350 Main St., 725-2021. Excellent sushi restaurant. Dinner about $25/person.
- The Common Loaf Bake Shop - 180 First Street, (250) 725-3915. Tofino's original whole foods bake shop for over 25 years. Homebaked breads, scones, goodies, pastas, pizzas and specialties, at approx. $15/person. Also known for its message-laden bulletin board.
Photos from Tofino, BC, Canada
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There is a bar next to the beer & wine store in town and a nice pub by the water.
Photos from Tofino, BC, Canada
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