Recently updated on December 4th, 2023 at 03:43 pm
Whether you’re after a leisurely holiday destination or somewhere that will keep you busy… or perhaps even a little bit of both, Tofino in Canada’s Vancouver Island is the destination you need to head to!
Not heard of Tofino?
It’s a small surf town that’s home to 2,000 people, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. To get there requires a scenic ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, followed by a 3-hour drive through the stunning Pacific Rim National Park. While getting there does take some effort, we can assure you that a visit to Tofino is absolutely worth it – in fact, you might not ever want to leave!
While this sleepy seaside town has earned a solid reputation as an ideal outdoor destination, there’s something special that every type of traveller can take away from Tofino; from hiking, biking and kayaking galore, to top restaurants, quirky surf stores and relaxing spas.
Unsure of where to start? Below we’ve put together a list of our top Tofino travel tips in this must-do Tofino guide.
Hit the surf
Known as the Surf Capital of Canada, it goes without saying that hitting the waves is an obvious must when visiting Tofino. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is (locals can be seen catching waves even in the winter!), or if you’re a beginner surfer or seasoned pro, there are lots of options available. If you fall into the former category, there are plenty of surf schools that offer lessons and camps, so you can learn to ‘hang ten’ in no time!
Wildlife watching tours
When it comes to wildlife at Tofino, there’s no shortage of awe-inducing moments as you spot a variety of magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Some of the most popular wildlife tours include whale watching tours during the migration season (March to October) where you can spot grey and humpback whales, and occasionally, orcas; and bear viewing tours, where you can watch black bears frolicking along the shorelines.
Enjoy a soak at Hot Springs Cove
Visiting Tofino’s hot springs is a unique experience in and of itself. Located within Maquinna National Park, the only way to access Hot Springs Cove is by boat or seaplane.
The secluded area is nothing short of beautiful; and in addition to the rocky hot tubs, there are also a number of boardwalks and hikes through the National Park that can be enjoyed.
Explore the hiking trails
One of the best things to do when you visit Tofino is to explore the hiking trails and the area’s untouched wilderness. There’s a vast amount of trails on offer, ranging from easy to advanced all around the town and out into the surrounding forest, along the coast and into the national parks. For outdoor and nature lovers, this really is the best way to immerse yourself into Tofino’s natural beauty.
Take to the waters on a kayak
It might surprise you to learn that, in addition to world-class surfing, people from all over the globe travel to Tofino in order to kayak, particularly in Clayoquot Sound. Made up of a maze of islands, old-growth rainforests and miles of sandy beaches, Clayoquot is the perfect destination for embarking on a kayak adventure.
If you’d prefer to discover the area as part of a tour group, there are also plenty of day trips from Tofino that will take you to some of the closest islands, where you can enjoy lunch on the pristine beaches and enjoy enchanting forest walks.
Go beach hopping
Whether you’re a worshipper of the sun, or prefer to camp out in pursuit of the perfect sunset photo, you won’t want to miss the chance to become acquainted with Tofino’s beaches. The coastline of Tofino is famous for its sandy beaches that stretch for miles on end. So while choosing which beach to visit may be difficult (truthfully, they’re all really beautiful), you definitely won’t be short of options when it comes to finding the perfect spot to sit back and relax as you watch the local surfers take to the ocean, or work on your tan with a good novel.
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Where to eat in Tofino
Despite being a relatively small beachside town, Tofino is filled with many top culinary options for visitors and locals alike. During your visit to Tofino, these are the must-not-misses that you have to try!
Rhino Coffee House
Located in the main village, Rhino Coffee House is a cute, laid-back coffee house that pours a mean drip and bakes a selection of fresh donuts. Choosing which flavour donut to opt for is no easy task, however, we can’t go past the Maple bacon donut!
Tacofino
Listen in, because this is our top Tofino travel tip…. When in Tofino, one must stop into the Tofino food truck institution, known as Tacofino. This is the original food truck that started the famous Vancouver restaurant chain. If that’s not enough to convince you, Tofino’s Tacofino offers some of the best fish tacos in the world that aren’t on offer at any of their other locations.
Tofino Brewery
The Tofino Brewery is the perfect place to kick back at the end of the day and meet with locals over a fresh brew. Adding that extra Canadian touch to the experience, try some of the local brews with wacky names, such as the Kelp Stout, Spruce Tree Ale and Tuff Session Ale.
Wolf in the Fog
Awarded Canada’s ‘Best New Restaurant’ in 2016, a food experience at the Wolf in the Fog is one you don’t want to miss. Offering an equally comprehensive and beautifully presented menu of local favourites, you can expect to feast on fresh, seasonal delights including potato crusted oysters, pork belly and Albacore tuna poke. Oh, and their cocktails are also equally to-die-for delicious too!
Have you travelled to Vancouver Island and ventured up to Tofino? Or, are you hoping to visit Tofino in the near future? Let us know in the comments! Or, visit our website to learn more about how you can travel to Canada with Trafalgar.