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Tofino, Canada: A Piece of Paradise
Looking over Cox Bay credit photo Monique Damp
]Want to escape the city? Need to find a piece of paradise? Then Tofino is the place for you!
Tofino, is where the majestic rainforest meets the untamed coast line. The little surf towns dazzling natural beauty, laid back vibe and long list of activates will capture your heart. Summer offers surf, sun and sand, winter brings the howling storm watching season and August rolls in the fog. This town truly caters for the relaxed and adventurous travellers.
So firstly, where is Tofino?
Tofino is on the far west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First/ Nation, at the heart of the Clayoquot Sound.
How can I get there?
You can either drive or fly. The 1 hour flight with Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver gives you a spectacular bird’s eye view of the bright green islands and dark blue coast line.
Coastline view flying with Pacific Coastal Airlines into Tofino – credit photo Monique Damp
I would suggest driving.
You can transport a car across from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen to Vancouver Island popular stops Victoria or Nanimo, with BC Ferries, or hire a car once you are on the Island. Regardless the boat ride is a scenic adventure.
Ferry route by BC Ferries
Once on Vancouver Island, the windy narrow roads take approximately 4 and a half hours (319.7km) to drive from Victoria or a 3 hour (207.9km) drive from Nanimo. Renting a car gives you the luxury and freedom of stopping at many superb view point along the way, like Goats on the Roof in Combs, Cathedral Grove, Wally’s Creek and Englishman River Falls. You might even see some wildlife on the way!
Public buses are available. They can take 6 hours and 40 minutes from Victoria, or 3 hours and 45 minutes one-way with Vancouver Island Connector, operated by TofinoBus.com. Tofino is a small town making public transport limited, there is one taxi service and a free shuttle in the summer. The shuttle runs from Tofino Village Centre to Tofino Visitor Centre at Cox Bay.
FIND MAP OF DRIVING/flying ROUTE by Cabins West
So, where to stay?
The town’s accommodation caters to suit your travel budget with hotels, lodges Bed & Breakfast, hostels and camp sites available. Accommodation is spread out along beaches, the Inlet, forest and in the towns centre.
Some great places you to choose from are:
Resorts and Hotels: Lodges: Camping and RV grounds: Hostels: Bed & Breakfast
Ocean Village Resort
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
Best Western Tin Wis Resort
Tofino Resort + Marina
MacKenzie Beach Resort
Cox Bay Beach Resort
Crystal Cove Beach Resort
Pacific Sands Beach Resort
Long Beach Lodge Resort
The Maq Hotel
Wickaninnish Inn
Middle Beach Lodge
Duffin Cove Oceanfront Lodging
Himwitsa Lodge Bella Pacifica Campground
Lone Cone Campsite
Crystal Cove Beach RV Camping & Glamping
MacKenzie Beach RV & Camping
Long Beach Campground
Surf Grove Beachside Campground
HI Whalers on the Point Guest House
Lone Cone Hostel
Storm Bay B&B
Sauna House B&B
Blue Bear B&B
Jarmos B&B
BriMar B&B
Hummingbird House B&B
If you are looking for comfort and authenticity, then Middle Beach Lodge is perfect for you. Middle Beach Lodge gives guests a charming rustic cabin feel whilst being surrounded by 40 acres of secluded West Coast oceanfront. You will be warmly welcomed by the friendly staff, who is greatly helpful and engaging. The Lodges location is ideal! It is close enough to the towns centre for convenience but far enough to enjoy the tranquil environment.
Pic of Middle Beach Lodge credit photo Middle Beach Lodge
The peaceful, hidden lodge has a restaurant and bar, which gives guests a calming oceanfront view while dining. Every morning the restaurant provides guests with a complimentary continental breakfast to prepare them for the day ahead. Middle Beach Lodge really is your luxury escape.
You might be thinking, what can I do in this paradise?
Start your mornings by loosening up with a yoga class with Tofino Yoga. You can enjoy either a beach, SUP or studio yoga class. The drop-in class on the beach which was a great experience. Hearing the waves on the shore, having the warm sun on my skin and breathing in the fresh air was the perfect combination to start my day.
If yoga is not your thing, grab a coffee and go for a delightful beach walk barefoot in the sand. Chesterman Beach was my go to beach walking spot, I found it easily accessible and breath-taking on every visit. If you look around the rocks you will see big vibrate pink, purple and orange starfish making the walks special.
Starfish from Chestermans Beach credit photo Monique Damp
There are countless hikes and walks to choose from to suit your experience level, both boardwalks and dirt trails, weaving you through the magical forest and to the coast.
Some forest, beach & boardwalk trails include:
Forest/Boardwalk leading to beaches:
South Beach Trail
Half Moon Bay Trail
Radar Hill/ beach
Forest trails:
Tonquin Trail
Mount Ozzard
Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet – along the coast line
Cox Bay hike
Beach walks:
Cox Bay
Schooner Cove & Beach Trail (1km forest walk on stairs and ramps)
Long Beach
Florencia Bay ( take Willowbrae Trail to the bay)
Combers Beach Trail Boardwalk:
Shore Pine Bog Trail
Rainforest Trail
Nuu-chah-nulth Trail
Forest hike on Lone Cone Island, Featuring Monique Damp
Boardwalk on Cone Island – credit photo Monique Damp
Tofino is located in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, making it home to an abundance of amazing wild life such as: Land base: Black Bear, Black Tail Deer, Racoon, Bald Eagle, Wolf & Cougar and Water based: Harbour Seal, Sea Lion, Sea Otter, Killer Whale, Grey Whale, Humpback Whale & Starfish.
You might be lucky enough to spot some of these magnificent animals. For a higher chance in a comfortable and safe environment jump on a wildlife tour. Choose from a whale, black bear or a hot spring tour to sit back in a zodiac or cabin while gliding through the inlet and coastline.
The companies are very professional and ensures everyone has a memorable experience.
Some companies are:
Remote Passengers Marie Excursions
Ocean Outfitters
Jamie’s Whaling Station Tofino
West Coast Aquatic Safaris
Adventure Tofino Wildlife Tours
The Hot Springs Cove tour with Remote Passengers Marine Excursions was my favourite. It is a full day tour packed with excitement and charm. You will experience Ocean life spotting of whales, seals and another marine life seen in the area (and chances of seeing black bears), boat ride (zodiac), a rainforest board walk
and of course, the natural hot springs.
Zodiac ride to the Hot springs with Remote Passengers credit photo Monique Damp
The tour started with marine life spotting out of the open waters and coast line. We spotted humpback whales and sea lions. The boat then travels through the inlet making its way to the Hot Springs in Maquinna Provincial Park. Once arrived, we needed to make a pleasant 2km boardwalk through the rainforest to the springs.
The natural sulphur hot spring are around 50 degrees, offering a wonderful, relaxing soak. You will get to stay there for approximately 2 and a half or 3 hours before needing to return to your boat to drive home.
So what should you bring on this amazing tour? Bring your swimmers and a towel, comfortable shoes for the 2 km walk, sunscreen, food and water.
If you are looking for something more adventurous, Tofino is a great place to try surfing, stand up paddle boarding (SUP boarding) or sea kayaking. You haven´t surfed before? No problem!
The companies you can choose from are :
Westside Surf
Live to Surf
Surf Sisters
Tofino Surf Adventures
Pacific Surf School
These are just some of the few companies which offer supportive and instructive lessons. Wet suits and surfboards are provided and you can choose between a group or private lesson. Your meeting point will be determined on the day, depending where the best surf conditions are in rain or shine- I mean, you will get wet anyway, so get ready to get wet and ride some waves!
I fell in love with Tofino Sea Kayaking, its tours go from 2 to 7.5 hours long with no experience needed for short trips in a double or single kayak. The instructors are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.
The Meares Island Trees and Shores tour was unforgettable. The 4 hour tour has you paddling along the island shore line to Meares Isand for a rainforest ‘Big Tree Trail’.
Kayaking to Mears Island with Tofino Sea Kayaking Tour – credit photo Monique.
Meares Island is an old growth forest with Western Redcedar trees getting a circumference of to 18.3 meters and as old as 1,500 years. While walking through the magical forest, the guide informed the group about the islands history and ecosystem, creating a deep understanding as to why the Island is so cherished.
Tofino BC Canada credit photo Monique Damp
I enjoyed this tour especially, it was a good variation between paddling and forest walking while learning about the history of this much loved Island.
What should you bring? I would suggest bringing water, snacks, layered clothing, sunscreen, hat and anything else you may need to be comfortable on the tour.
Mears Island with Tofino Sea Kayaking credit photo Monique Damp
After all this exercise I’m sure you are hungry, so good thing Tofino knows how to serve up a great feast! You will eat your way through the town’s restaurants, pubs, cafes and food-to-go spots.
Some of my favourite places were:
Shelters: dinner and great cocktails! I’m not a big fan of brussel sprouts but Shelters changed that with their starters dish ‘Crispy Brussel Sprouts’.
Wolf in the Fog: popular for local sea food dishes and great bar
Tofino Brewing Company: to grab a fresh local beer
Kuma Tofino: fresh and tasty Japanese inspired comfort food
Wildside Grill: for great poutine
The Schooners: for seafood and steaks
The Hatch Waterfront Pub: great for a drink and to watch the sunset
Tofino Licks: to satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious ice cream
But you must try Tacofino! This little food truck knows how to serve up a mouth-watering feast. The casual setting, outdoor takeout restaurant offers flavoursome burritos, tacos, gringas and more! Not only will it leave you satisfied but you will come back time and time again for a quick but tasty bite to go. The crispy chicken burrito was my go to meal time and time again.
Sunset on MacKenzie Beach credit photo Monique Damp
Settle down at the end of each day with a crackling beach fire and a glass of wine, watching the sunset. Tofino will become your little hidden piece of paradise. Its natural beauty, endless activities and calming vibe will soon become your yearly escape from the city to get back in touch with your natural side.
For more information on Tofino, accommodation and activities visit the below links:
Tofino Links:
For more information about Tofino visit: https://tourismtofino.com/
As rooms, suites and cabins largely vary in price and size please check out the website for more information at http://www.middlebeach.com/
Remote Passages: http://www.remotepassages.com/
Tofino Sea Kayaking:http://tofinoseakayaking.com/
TofinoBus.com: https://viconnector.com/
More Links:
Cabins West: https://www.cabinswest.ca/mapcabinswestuclueletbc.html
BC Ferries:https://www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/maps/
About the author
Monique Damp is an Australian who is passionate about travelling, giving recommendations, learning and meeting people. As a child, she moved to Hong Kong but returned to Australia for her studies, finishing with a degree in Media and Communications. Her strong wanderlust has taken her too many countries including working and traveling in Canada for 2 years and returning back to Hong Kong to work for 1 year. Now, she is an aspiring blogger, continuing her desire to explore new countries and share her experiences with others to help them with their own trips.
