Tofino

Tofino Inlet was named in 1792 by the Spanish explorers Galiano and Valdés, in honour of Admiral Vicente Tofiño de San Miguel y Wanderiales (or Vanderiales), under whom Galiano had learned cartography.

By car

Tofino is accessible via Highway 4. The road, best driven during the day, is very twisty and narrow (particularly west of Port Alberni) but offers great views of lakes and mountains on the west coast. Coming from Victoria, take Highway #1/#19 north 160 km to the Highway 4 turnoff west to Port Alberni.

By plane

• Tofino-Ucluelet AirportIt is in Pacific Rim National Park, and just across the highway from Long Beach. Regularly scheduled flights to Victoria (YYJ) and Vancouver () on Pacific Coastal Airlines are $250-300 one-way. Private pilots will find three 5,000-foot paved runways, no landing fees, and fuel available. However, beware the weather; low overcast is common, and fog can appear suddenly on summer days.

By boat

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.
In the summer you can catch the M.V. Frances Barkley from Port Alberni to Ucluelet (37km south from Tofino), 4½ hours, $30 one-way.

By bus

Tofino Bus Island Express runs service in conjunction with Greyhound Canada on Vancouver Island. Routes make stops in Nanaimo and Victoria (among others between Nanaimo and Tofino).

The town is small enough to walk through. A dedicated walking and bike path runs all the way down to Cox Bay. A free shuttle bus with a surfboard rack runs hourly in the summer season giving access as far as Cox bay.

• Pacific Rim National Park

  phone: +1 250-726-3500
  Rocky headlands, long beaches, and wild surf, set against Vancouver Island's temperate rain forest. Entry is $7.80 for adults. Camping $24-70/night. Parking fee $10/day. Many walking trails including long sandy beaches, rugged rocky coastline and boardwalks through old growth forests. Maps and information available visitor centers at Cox bay and the junction for Ucluelet and Tofino.

• Tofino Legion (Royal Canadian Legion Clayoquot Branch No 65)

  phone: +1 250 725-3361
  address: 331 Main
  This hall hosts so many community events that it's easy to forget it's a membership hall of the veteran's association. Multiple concerts per week of a variety of music, over the summer. Most performers are for one night only.

• Tofino Botanical Gardens

  phone: +1 250 725-1220
  address: 1084 Pacific Rim Highway
  12 acres of forest, shoreline, and garden, with lots of educational exhibits. Also a cafe and gift shop.

• Pacific Rim Whale FestivalA variety of art exhibits, films, museum installations, and tours in Tofino and Ucluelet, celebrating the spring migration of the grey whales.

• Pacific Rim Summer FestivalArt exhibitions in Tofino and Ucluelet. By the Pacific Rim Arts Society. Live performances in Tofino, Ucluelet and area. Dance workshops. Free outdoor concert. Performances in Tofino and Ucluelet on Canada Day, Celebration of Indigenous culture, Ballet Victoria, Pop Up Art Market, Kids Art Zone (throughout the summer), local and guest performances.

• Tofino Food and Wine Festival

  address: Various locations
  A festival of gourmet meals, barbeques, and cooking classes, and farmers markets at restaurants and resorts around the region.

• Tofino Lantern FestivalAn exhibition of beautiful lanterns, and workshops to make your own lanterns.

• Atleo Air flightseeing

  phone: +1 250 725-2205
  address: 50 Wingen Ln
  Offers a range of flights over the beautiful coasts and mountain glaciers of the area, with a good chance of seeing whales and other wildlife. Prices are per complete charter of a 4-seat aircraft.

Tofino is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the world. The long sandy beaches south of town are the main attraction, as are whale watching, hot springs, and surfing. In the winter, many of the facilities close up. However, there are still a number of travellers who come to see the storm season. For hikers, 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. Tofino and Clayoquot Sound is a world renowned kayaking destination offering wilderness experiences on daily trips between 2 - 6 hr or even multi-day kayak adventures. Usually no previous experience is required.

• West Coast Aquatic Safaris

  address: 101 A Fourth St
  West Coast Aquatic Safaris is an optimal way to experience BC’s whales, nature, hotsprings and wildlife; a must-do while visiting Tofino.

• The Whale Centre

  phone: +1 250 725-2132
  address: 411 Campbell St
  A 2½-3 hour boat ride in a Boston Whaler through Clayoquot Sound, with commentary from guides. Gray whales are the most commonly seen variety. There is also a museum.
• Hot Springs - Approximately 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 or float plane, 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.

• Black Bear Kayaking

  phone: +1 250 725-3238
  address: 634 Campbell St

• Long Beach Golf Course

  phone: +1 250 725-3332
  address: 1850 Pacific Rim Hwy
  Tucked around the end of the airport's runway 11, this 9-hole par 36 course also features an 18-hole minigolf course and a driving range. Easy walking distance from the airport and from Long Beach.

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 3 surfing beaches and all can get busy in the high season. Many surf shops in and out of town provide rentals and lessons (see Buy section)

• Chesterman BeachSlightly sheltered by offshore islands, Chesterman Beach offers the best surfing for beginners. Parking lots at the north and south end.

• Cox BeachOften offers bigger waves than Chesterman's. Access from North parking lot with toilets and showers or South parking lot further from Tofino

• Long BeachAptly named! This beach requires a parking pass.

• Clayoquot Crafts

  phone: +1 250 725-3990
  address: 671 Industrial Way
  Outdoor furniture handcrafted from salvaged local western red cedar.

• Tofino Art Glass

  phone: +1 250 725-3929
  address: 264 First St
  Handmade kilnformed glass trays, bowls, beach sand jewelry and custom art pieces.

Surfing:

• Long Beach Surf Shop

  phone: +1 250-725-3800
  address: 630 Campbell St
  Offers a cheap and large selection of surfing rental gear. Lessons around $75, board rental $20 for 24 hours, $40 with wetsuit.

• Beachfront Bistro

  phone: +1 250 725-4447
  address: 1119 Pacific Rim Highway

• Schooner Restaurant on Second

  phone: +1 250 725-3444
  address: 331 Campbell St

• Sea Shanty Restaurant

  phone: +1 250 725-2902
  address: 300 Main St

• Shelter Restaurant

  phone: +1 250 725-3353
  address: 601 Campbell St

• SoBo

  phone: +1 250 725-2341
  address: 311 Neill St
  Outstanding! Have the chowder, the killer fish taco and the tofu pockets. Lunch about $15/person, Dinner for about $30/person.

• Red Can Gourmet

  phone: +1 250 725-2525
  address: 700 Industrial Way
  Gourmet take-out pizza, soups and seafood dishes.

• The Pointe

  phone: +1-800-333-4604
  address: Osprey Lane at Chesterman Beach
  Beautiful Pacific Northwest cuisine with ocean views (during daylight hours). Breakfast, lunch & dinner, at approx. $25/$35/$80/person.

• Tough City Sushi Bar

  phone: +1 250 725-2021
  address: 350 Main St
  Excellent sushi restaurant. Dinner about $25/person.

• The Common Loaf Bake Shop

  phone: +1 250 725-3915
  address: 180 First St
  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.

• The Wildside Grill

  phone: +1 250 725-9453
  address: 1190 Pacific Rim Highway
  Take-out food, burgers, seafood, salads.

• TacoFino Cantina

  phone: +1 250 725-8228
  address: 1184 Pacific Rim Hwy
  West Coast-influenced Mexican food from a food truck. Tacos, burritos and gringas with a variety of fillings.

• Club House Restaurant, Long Beach Golf Course

  phone: +1 250 725-3332
  address: 1850 Pacific Rim Hwy
  Fully licensed restaurant, open to golfers and flyers. Easy walking distance from the airport and from Long Beach.

• Chocolate Tofino

  phone: +1 250 723-2526
  address: 1180 Pacific Rim Highway
  Amazing hand made chocolates, truffles and homemade gelato. Very friendly place that the locals visit often. Best ice cream in Tofino and very family friendly. Best known for Honey Lavender Gelato, fresh organic chocolates and their "Hot Chocolate Elixir."

• 1909 Kitchen

  phone: +1 250 726-6122
  address: 634 Campbell Street
  Ingredient-driven menu, sourced and foraged from Tofino’s oceans, shoreline and forests. Has waterfront patio. Bring your day’s catch if you wish; chef will prepare and cook it for you in a 1,000-degree wood-fired Mugnaini oven.

• Tofino Brewing Co

  phone: +1-250-725-2899
  address: 681 Industrial Way
  Tofino's first and so far only brewery. You can see the operation, sample or buy their brews.

During high season (May–September) hotels here are among the most expensive in BC. During the off-season better deals are available. If you don't mind the two hour drive, considerably cheaper accommodation is available in Port Alberni.

Hotels

• Best Western Tin Wis Hotel

  phone: +1 250 725-4445
  address: 1119 Pacific Rim Highway
  Nice comfy hotel, reasonable accommodations for the area. First Nation owned and operated. $199-325 (less in the off-season).

• Himwista Lodge

  phone: +1 250 725-2017
  Lodge with private hot tub and ocean view of Clayoquot Sound. Also with a full-serviced Sea Shanty Restaurant serving locally caught seafood.

• Middle Beach Lodge

  phone: +1 250 725-2900
  Picturesque hotel on rocky headland, with private beach, adults-only lodge, and a wide selection of rooms, suites, and cabins.

• Wickaninnish Inn

  phone: +1 250 725-3100
  An upscale hotel built on the rocks on Chesterman beach, Pointe Restaurant - a restaurant rated one of the best in Canada, and Ancient Cedars spa at Chesterman Beach. Member Relais & Chateaux.

• Pacific Sands Beach ResortAt the beach front on spectacular Cox Bay offering spacious suite and villa accommodations ranging from 520 to 1,400 square feet. Eco and pet friendly. Rates range from $180 to $440 in the low season and $325 to $690 in the high season.

• Ocean Village Resort

  phone: +1 250-725-3755
  address: 555 Hellesen Dr
  These beehive cabins are on MacKenzie Beach, a few minutes from Tofino. There's a swimming pool, outdoor barbecue area and coin-operated laundry machine. Good value for money.

• Tofino Resort + Marina

  address: 634 Campbell St.
  Waterfront hotel and affordable accommodations that are pet-friendly with an Adventure Centre, gym, dining and pub overlooking the bay. Rooms from $89 to $179 for great value.

Hostels

• Clayoquot Field Station at Tofino Botanical Gardens

  phone: +1 250 725-1220
  address: 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy
  On 12 acres of waterfront gardens, rain forest, paths and boardwalks. An educational facility that brings students researchers and travelers together for an introspective, quiet time. Dorm-style rooms and a private suite are available. Rate includes admission to Tofino Botanical Gardens.

• Whalers on the Point Guesthouse

  phone: +1 250 725-3443
  address: 81 West St
  Close to the center of Tofino. Affiliated with Hostelling International. A very pleasant place to stay. Both individual and dorm-style rooms are available.

Campgrounds

In the summer the campgrounds are very popular. There are a number of public and private campgrounds in the Tofino area. Most of these operate from about Mid-March to October or November.

• Green PointLong Beach Unit, Pacific Rim National Park. 105 sites available, no hook-ups or showers. $14-20. (Reservations fee extra).

• Bella Pacifica CampgroundNice spot on Mackenzie Bay, try to get one of the sites along the water. Surprisingly quiet most of the time, considering the number of people there.

• Crystal CoveTucked away in a quiet cove on Mackenzie Beach it offers 72 full service campsites and 34 modern log cabins.

• Long Beach Golf Course Campground

  phone: +1 250 725-3314
  address: 1850 Pacific Rim Hwy
  76 camp sites, each with fire pit and picnic table. Shared washrooms, hot showers, running drinking water. Five full-hookup RV sites. Easy walking distance from the airport and from Long Beach.

Vacation rentals

Private cabins, homes and condominiums are available year round. This option is ideal for couples, families or groups who desire a self-catered holiday.

• Tofino Vacation Rentals

  phone: +1 250 725-2779
  address: 105-430 Campbell St
  Has high-end short term properties throughout Tofino.

Cell phones work in Tofino, but data connections can be very slow. Computers with Internet access are available at a few shops in town (such as the Tofino Pharmacy and Tofitian Coffee Shop). Free Wifi is available at Darwins Cafe at the Tofino Botanical Gardens.