Vancouver Island west coast
Tofino
Open Pacific, old-growth rainforest and a surf town that is better in a storm.
- Coast
- Wildlife
- Indigenous-led
- Food
Best in October–May
About this place
Tofino sits at the end of Highway 4 on the Esowista Peninsula, in Tla-o-qui-aht territory, facing the open Pacific. Summer books out months ahead. From October to April the same beaches are wide and empty, the storms come in off the ocean, grey whales pass in March, and lodges drop their rates by a third or more.
Things to do
Storm watching
From November to February Pacific lows bring 5–10 m swells onto Cox Bay and Long Beach. Watch from a beachfront room, or walk Wickaninnish Beach in full rain gear at high tide.
Surfing in a wetsuit
Cox Bay and Chesterman Beach work year-round. Water is 8–12°C; schools rent 5 mm suits, boots and gloves and run lessons in every season.
Grey whale migration
Around 20,000 grey whales pass Tofino between late February and April on their way to Alaska. The Pacific Rim Whale Festival runs in mid-March; boats go out daily when the weather allows.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
The Rainforest Trail boardwalks, Long Beach and the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail between Florencia Bay and Wickaninnish are all short and flat. A park pass is required and sold at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre.
Tours run by the Nations
Ahousaht- and Tla-o-qui-aht-owned companies run whale, bear and cultural boat tours from the harbour. Meares Island’s Big Tree Trail, a ten-minute water taxi away, is in Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
Black bears at low tide
From spring to autumn boats run to the inlets where bears turn over rocks for crabs on the shoreline. Low tide in the early morning gives the best odds.
When to go
March
Whales, the tail end of storm season and the festival. Rooms are still off-peak; the town is open but not busy.
October and November
The first storms arrive, salmon run in the rivers, and prices fall after Thanksgiving. Many restaurants keep summer hours until the end of October.
December to February
Storm season proper. Outside the Christmas fortnight this is the cheapest time to stay on the beach. Bring waterproofs, not an umbrella.
July and August need six months’ notice
Peak season is full and expensive, and Highway 4 backs up on summer weekends.
How to get there
Fly via Vancouver
Pacific Coastal Airways and Harbour Air fly Vancouver to Tofino–Long Beach (YAZ) in about an hour; flights are weather-dependent in winter.
Ferry and Highway 4
BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen to Nanaimo, then three hours over the island on Highway 4. Reserve a vehicle sailing. The Kennedy Hill section has occasional closures; check DriveBC before you leave.
Bus
The Tofino Bus runs from Victoria and Nanaimo. Once in town, most lodges and beaches are on the free Tofino–Ucluelet shuttle or a bike ride apart.
Trips here
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2 packages
FeaturedTofino4 nightsTofino Grey Whale Migration
Four nights on the Pacific Rim during the grey whale migration with two whale trips, a hot-springs boat day and storm-season rates.
- Wildlife
- Guided
From $1,460 per person
approx. £776 / €905
Tofino7 nightsVancouver Island Blossom & Sunshine Coast Drive
Seven nights self-drive: Victoria gardens in bloom, Cowichan wineries, Tofino and the Sunshine Coast ferries.
- Self drive
- Food
- Culture
From $2,260 per person
approx. £1,201 / €1,401
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