Search
image

Tofino, British Columbia

What to See & Do in Tofino?

Tofino has great whale watching tours, has scenic kayaking, and is the endpoint for the rugged West Coat Trail. Nearby is Long Beach, with its rugged waves and ethereal mists which make is Nirvana for surfers. The area is full of First National art, relics, and totems that all visitors will appreciate.

Tofino BC Dooreway to Pacific Rim National Park

West Coast Trail view from Highway
Tofino lies on the western side of Vancouver Island, at the end of Highway 4. In 1791, Boston fur trader Robert Gray built Fort Defiance to stay the winter, though the next spring the fort was stripped and abandoned, with only ruins remaining today. The town’s sandy beaches are popular with beachcombers, scuba divers and whale watchers.

Back in 1912, it proclaimed itself the “western end of the Trans-Canada Highway”, though when the route across Canada was finally completed in 1963, it veered south from Nanaimo to Victoria (today’ highway #1), instead of west to Tofino. This sign is located at the foot of First Street at the northwest end of the town

Tofino BC signpost with Mark

Whaling Tour on a Zodiac (some operators have bigger boats)

Tofino is a popular jumping-off point for whale watching tours (along with Ucluelet to the south). Some tours are by kayak, some by zodiac, and some on full-sized boats (more comfortable in rougher seas).

Surfers along Long Beach

The west coast of Vancouver Island along Pacific Rim National Park is quite spectacular between November and March during storm season, when 10 metre swells on the ocean turn into 15-18 metre (50-60 feet) waves that crash into the shore. Best wave watching is about 12 hours after a storm has passed, and the waves aren’t tossed by the wind. Never walk on the beach (or on slippery rocks) during extreme conditions. You can watch storms from safe indoor vantage points like several coastal restaurants at Long Beach Lodge, The Wikannish Inn or Tin-Wes Best Western.

Other Links

Annual Events

 

Event

 

Date

 

Description

Pacific Rim Whale Festival Late March Daily educational & fun events to celebrate the annual migration of the whales
Shorebird festival Early May Bird watching tours led by experts from the Raincoast Education Society
Edge to Edge Marathon mid-June Official marathon an relay race from uculuelet to Tofino
Aboriginal Day Late June Parks Canada hosts First Nations performers
Lantern Festival Late August At Tofino Botanical Gardens
Oyster Festival Late October Gorumet restaurant and wine tasting competition
Bald Eagle in tree - Tofino
Bald Eagle in tree - Tofino

Tofino Attractions

Jamie’s Whaling Station

606 Campbell St, PO BOX 129, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
1-800-667-9913

Team of local experts has been professionally guiding adventure seekers from around the world to explore the nooks and crannies of Clayoquot Sound and Barkley Sound since 1982! Jamie’s operates our waterfront Adventure Stations in the hearts of both seaside communities of Tofino and Ucluelet.

The Whale Centre

411 Campbell St
Box 111, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
250-725-2132

See scientific and artistic displays, artifacts and photographs about the whale and whale encounters past and recent.

Tofino, British Columbia Area Map