'''Tofino''' [http://www.tofino.ca/], population 1700, is a former logging and fishing village that has become a center for ecotourism and activities such as whale watching, surfing, and camping. It is located on Clayoquot Sound, on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island, 208 km (129 miles) west of Nanaimo. Clayoquot Sound is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Get in
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[http://www.flyorcaair.com/] for $130-$160 one-way.
By boat
In the summer from Port Alberni, you can catch the [http://www.ladyrosemarine.com/ 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.
See
'''Pacific Rim National Park''' [http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/]. Rocky headlands, long beaches, and wild surf, set against Vancouver Island's temperate rain forest. Parking fee $10/day.
Do
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''.
'''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 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.
'''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 about 5km from downtown with parking lots at the north and south end. It is slightly sheltered by offshore islands and offers the best surfing for beginners. Cox beach is the next beach south and often offers bigger waves than Chesterman's. Access is via a 1 km walk through the forest from a resort that is shut down. Long beach (aptly named!) is further south in Pacific Rim National Park, requiring a parking pass. All 3 beaches can get busy in the high season.
'''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 [http://www.tbgf.org/] at the end of August. There are concerts on most weekends at the Tofino Legion during the summer.
Buy
'''Clayoquot Crafts''' — 671 Industrial Way, (250) 725-3990. [http://www.clayoquotcrafts.com/] Outdoor furniture handcrafted from salvaged local western red cedar.
Tofino has bear watching trips that happen "behind" Mearse Island. The Vancouver Island Black Bear goes down to the waters edge during low tide scavenging for crab and other seafood. At lower tides bear watchers travel in boats up the inlets looking for them.
Eat
'''Calm Waters Dining Room''' at Tin Wis Resort — 1119 Pacific Rim Highway, (250) 725-4447. [http://www.tinwis.com/restaurant.html]
'''Schooner Restaurant on Second''' — 331 Campbell St., (250) 725-3444.
'''Sea Shanty Restaurant''' — 300 Main St., (250) 725-2902. [http://www.himwitsa.com/sea_shanty.htm]
'''Shelter Restaurant''' — 601 Campbell St., (250) 725-3353. [http://www.shelterrestaurant.com]
'''SoBo''' — 311 Neill Street, (250) 725-2341. [http://www.sobo.ca/]. 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. [http://www.wickinn.com/restaurant.html] - 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.
'''The Wildside Grill''' — 1190 Pacific Rim Highway, (250) 725-9453. Take-out food, burgers, seafood, salads.
Drink
There is a bar next to the beer & wine store in town and a nice pub by the water.
Sleep
Hotels
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.
'''Best Western Tin Wis''', 1119 Pacific Rim Highway, 725-4445 (''1-800-661-9995''). Nice basic hotel located about 200 feet from the waters and beach of McKenzie Beach. Reasonable accommodations for the area. First Nation owned and operated. $199-325 (''Less in the off-season''). Just five minutes from Tofino by car and less than twenty to Long Beach.
'''Himwista Lodge''', 725-2017 (''1-800-899-1947'') [http://www.himwitsa.com/]. Tofino lodge with private hot tub and ocean view of Clayoquot Sound. $150-350. Also with a full-serviced Sea Shanty Restaurant serving locally caught seafood.
'''Long Beach Lodge Resort''', 725-2442 (''1-877-844-7873'') [http://www.longbeachlodgeresort.com/]. Cedar-shingled lodge and luxury cabins on Cox Bay.
'''Middle Beach Lodge''', 725-2900 (''1-866-725-2900'') [http://www.middlebeach.com/]. Picturesque hotel on rocky headland, with private beach, adults-only lodge, and a wide selection of rooms, suites, and cabins. $165-395.
'''The Tofino Motel''', 250-725-2055 (www.tofinomotel.com) Standard rooms and family suites with views of Clayoquot Sound.
'''Wickaninnish Inn''', 725-3100 (''1-800-333-4604'') [http://www.wickinn.com/]. 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. $340-1000+. Member Relais & Chateaux.
Hostels
'''Clayoquot Field Station at Tofino Botanical Gardens''', 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, 250.725.1220 [http://www.tofinobotanicalgardens.com/cfs]. Located 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. $32-120.
'''Whalers on the Point Guesthouse''', 81 West Street, 250.725.3443 [http://www.tofinohostel.com/]. Close to the center of Tofino. Affiliated with Hostelling International. A very pleasant place to stay. Both individual and dorm-style rooms are available. $25-120.
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 Point''', Long Beach Unit, Pacific Rim National Park. 105 sites available, no hook-ups or showers. $14-20. (''Reservations fee extra''). [http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/activ4b_e.asp]
'''Bella Pacifica Campground'''. [http://www.bellapacifica.com/]. Nice 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.
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.
'''Eik Landing,''' [http://www.eiklanding.com/] provides ocean view suites in Tofino harbour.
'''Pacific Coast Retreats,''' [http://www.pacificcoastretreats.com/] Exquisite, west coast style Tofino accommodations: oceanfront and beachside. Phone: 250.725.3906
'''Tofino Beach Homes,''' 250.725.2570 [http://www.tofinobeach.com/] offers short and long term rentals at Chesteman Beach
'''Tofino Vacation Rentals''' 105-430 Campbell St., 250.725.2779 [http://www.tofinovr.com/] has high end short term properties throughout Tofino.
'''Vista Hermosa,''' [http://www.vistahermosa.ca/] A spacious Tofino vacation rental house and suite overlooking the Tofino Harbour and Clayoquot Sound.
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