Tofino, BC

Tofino is the main coastal village of Clayoquot Sound, a place of spectacular natural beauty, where old growth cedar rainforest meets the rolling waves of the open ocean. Populated by passionate locals, with plenty of great places to eat and fun things to do, Tofino offers the perfect combination of nature and culture.

Things to do in Tofino

Whatever time of year, you can always enjoy something special here. We’d be happy to guide you in the right direction…

	Surfing Tofino is widely regarded as the surf capital of Canada. And it’s no wonder. With over 35 kilometers of surfable beach break, there is plenty of room for all sorts of shredders, from first-timers to veterans. Just getting started? Sign up for lessons from one of Tofino’s many surf schools. Whatever you do, don’t forget your wetsuit.
	Hiking The protected Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve offers a seemingly endless variety of hiking opportunities. Whether you want to climb a mountain ridge to a vantage of the entire area, walk on a boardwalk beneath a rainforest canopy, or simply stroll the beach, you can do it from Tofino.
	Storm Watching From November to March, the Tofino area bears witness to some of the most sensational storm watching in the world. From the Ocean Village vantage on MacKenzie Beach, watch as massive swells crash into the shoreline, with the wind howling in your ears. It’s a truly amazing—and humbling—experience.
	Whale Watching From March through October, whale watching season offers a visible array of marine wildlife not found anywhere else. With an experienced guide at your service, watch as roaming gray whales, humpback whales and orcas breach the surface of the sea, releasing misty breaths into the air.
	Golf Enjoy golf year round at the Long Beach Golf Course. Located within the Clayoquot Biosphere reserve, only a few minutes from Tofino, this 9-hole course is surrounded by rainforest and mountains. If you’re with the kids, try the new 18-hole mini golf course for an afternoon of family fun.
	Wildlife Adventures Away from the ocean, Clayoquot Sound is home to a diverse and unique array of wildlife. With a guided tour, you can watch black bears combing the shoreline for food or groups of sea otters floating on their backs, hand-in-hand. If you’re especially lucky, you may come across the rare and elusive pack of gray wolves that call this area home.
	Arts & Culture The wild, natural landscapes of Clayoquot Sound have inspired artists for millennia. As the ancestral home of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples, you can find expressions of rich First Nations cultural traditions—along with modern artistic forms—in the many galleries and shops in Tofino.
	Fishing Tofino offers some of the best fishing on the northwest coast. Hit the open sea with an experienced guide to reel in salmon, halibut, and cod. Or fly to an isolated lake or river to lure and snag cutthroat or steelhead trout.
	Kayaking Sea kayaking is a popular Clayquot Sound activity, and a wonderful way to observe the natural and cultural history of the region. Take a guided tour to learn about the biodiversity of this special place.
	Spa & Wellness It shouldn’t be surprising that Tofino is well-known for its spa and health facilities, given that just being here is therapeutic. There are several spots to choose from, each utilizing natural elements and materials from the world outside, like hot volcanic rocks, kelp wraps, cedar and sea salt.
	Island Expeditions Opportunities for offshore exploration abound in Clayoquot Sound. There is an amazing amount of uninhabited places to explore. Try a short water taxi to Meares Island for an adventurous walk among impossibly massive cedar trees, or an easy day trip to Hot Springs Cove for a soak in the natural hot springs.

Places to Eat

Tofino’s highly regarded restaurant scene is centered around local, fresh seafood. From quick eats to fine dining, good cuisine is never hard to find here. Here are a few of our favourite spots.

	Shelter www.shelterrestaurant.com Sophisticated but casual, Shelter is great place to enjoy fresh and honest local cuisine and meet new friends. Enjoy an artistic meal on the patio or pull up a bar stool and have a chat with the friendly bartender
	Wildside Grill www.wildsidegrill.com Located in the Surf Plaza minutes from the village, Wildside Grill is maybe the freshest source of fish in town. Every day, local fisherman and co-owner Jeff Mikus hauls fish to the restaurant that are barely finished flopping around on the boat deck
	TacoFino www.tacofino.com Hidden behind Live to Surf in the Surf Plaza, this hidden gem is a local favourite, boasting one of the most amazing and unique tacos on the face of the planet: Tuna and seaweed. Try it, trust us.
	SOBO www.sobo.ca One of the area’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, SOBO (“Sophisticated Bohemian”) is highly regarded for its creative use of local ingredients. Guided by principles of nature, SOBO serves up amazing, sustainable, and healthy food.
	The Pointe Restaurant www.wickinn.com/restaurant.html Perched on the rocky shoreline, the restaurant at the Wickininnish Inn provides spectacular views and delicious food. Farm-fresh, organic Vancouver Island ingredients, fresh fish and a nice room make this a good place for romance.