Things to do around Tofino
Once you are in Tofino, activities you can indulge yourself in are endless. Here are some of the more popular things to do.
1) Ocean Fishing. Fishing in Tofino is incredible, with salmon, halibut, cod and crab being the catch of the day. There are many fishing charters and guides located in the community. The guiding companies supply all the gear and will arrange to purchase a fishing license (required to fish in British Columbia). The nearby rivers and lakes offer great trout fishing.
Photo used under Creative Commons from denisenicole.
2) Surfing. Tofino’s Long Beach is hot spot for surfers and considered Canada’s premier surfing destination. Other beaches in the area attracting surfers are Chesterman Beach, Wickaninnish Beach and Cox Bay. The water is a cool, fairly constant around 10°C/50°F. Surfing in Tofino is a year-round activity, with some of the best rides during the winter when the surf is much bigger!There are many local surf shops in Tofino providing lessons and equipment.
3) Wildlife Watching. Clayoquot Sound is one of the top destinations in Canada for wildlife watching tours. You can join guided tours operate from Tofino for whale watching – the region is famous for Grey, Humpback and Killer Whales ( Orcas ). On coastal shorelines, you can watch Black Bears, Sea Lions, Porpoises, and other marine and land wildlife. Wolf sightings are increasingly common occurrences at some of the more popular beaches.
4) Bird Watching. During the spring shorebird migration around late April and early May, tens of thousands of western sandpipers, dublinon the mudflats. Other species such as dowitchers, whimbrels, plovers, marbled godwits and greater yellowlegs are common foraging for food on the shorelines. Bald Eagles, Red Tail Hawks and many other species of birds.
5) Boat Cruise. The Tofino region is a popular destination for boat cruises. Try a short water taxi across the Tofino Harbour to Meares Island and walk along the popular Big Tree Trail. Or, an excursion to Hot Springs Cove to soak in the naturally warm springs. Tofino provides many opportunities to access remote destinations like the Broken Islands Group, Barclay Sound and Clayoquot Sound.
6) Trails & Hikes. There are 12 trails in Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park located south of the community. Under the evergreen canopy of a rainforest, many of the trails have spectacular lookout sites. Trails range from short access trails leading to beaches like Tonquin Bay to long boardwalk trails where you can explore the magnificent temperate rainforest. You may choose to take a walk along the mudflats or many of the sandy beaches. The Pacific Rim National Park is the best the west coast has to offer.
7) Sea Kayaking: Beginners can take a guided sea kayak tour of Tofino Inlet’s calm waters. Guided kayak tours provide lessons and equipment to the novice. Guided overnight trips in Clayoquot Sound are popular with those who are looking for more challeging experince to explore the many inlets and island around Clayoquot Sound.
Shopping. There are many boutiques, galleries, and studios with original pieces produced by the artists, photographers, designers and carvers who call Tofino home. Spend some time browsing through the many friendly shops, and finding that perfect “something” to remind you of your stay in Tofino.
9) Storm watching. During the winter months, the raw power of nature has become an intriguing draw for tourists to the Long Beach area of BC’s Pacific Rim National Reserve. Tofino and Uclulet are the nearest towns you can find a wide range of accommodations to admire and enjoy the sounds and sights of a thundering pacific storm, spending hours mesmerized by 15 metre waves hitting the coastline.
