From Wikitravel

Tofino [1], population 1100, 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.

Contents 1 Get in 1.1 By car 1.2 By plane 1.3 By boat 2 Get around 3 See 4 Do 5 Buy 6 Eat 7 Drink 8 Sleep 8.1 Hotels 8.2 Hostels 8.3 Campgrounds 9 Get out

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 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 for $130-$160 one-way.

By boat

In the summer from Port Alberni, you can catch the 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.

Get around

Limo/Shuttle -- Pacific Rim Navigators. The limo is not cheap, but provides reliable and friendly transportation.

See

• Pacific Rim National Park [2]. Rocky headlands, long beaches, and wild surf, set against Vancouver Island's temperate rain forest. Parking fee $10/day.

• Tofino Scenic Travel Guide [3]. Pictures of Pacific Rim National Park, Wickaninnish Beach, Hydro Hill, Kennedy Lake, Pacific Rim Visitor Centre, Rain Forest, Combers Beach, Long Beach, Chestermans Beach, and Schooner Cove.

Do

In the summer, Tofino is a very busy tourist destination. The long sandy beaches south of town are the main attraction as is whale watching, hot springs, and surfing. It is a popular place for residents of BC to go as well as for those visiting from outside BC. 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. The chamber of commerce site has good listings for things to do in Tofino [4]

Whale Watching Early in the season, the main attraction is the gray whales that are passing through the area.

Surf Tofino is the surfing capital of Canada. 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).

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 event is the annual Lantern Festival, held in the Tofino Botanical Gardens at the end of August.

There are concerts on most weekends at the Tofino Legion during the summer, but also in the off-season, when the town has quieted down. You can find event listings and concert info at the website of the local magazine TofinoTime.

Buy

Eat

• Tough City Sushi Bar — 350 Main St., 725-2021. Excellent sushi restaurant. Dinner about $25/person.
• SoBo [5] — in the Tofino Botanical Gardens [6]. Outstanding! Have the chowder, the killer fish taco and the sushi tofu pockets. Lunch about $15 / person, Dinner for about $30 / person.
• Schooners — 331 Campbell St., (250) 725-3444.
• Sea Shanty Restaurant [7] — 300 Main St., (250) 725-2902.

Drink

There is a bar next to the liquor 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 drive, considerably cheaper accommodation is available in Port Alberni.

• Middle Beach Lodge, 725-2900 (1-866-725-2900) [8]. Picturesque hotel on rocky headland, with private beach, adults-only lodge, and a wide selection of rooms, suites, and cabins. $165-395. Next door to the Wickannish Inn.
• 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. Very reasonable accomodations for the area. First Nation owned and operated. $199-325 (Less in the off-season). Just two minutes from Tofino by car and less than five to Long Beach.
• Long Beach Lodge Resort, 725-2442 (1-877-844-7873) [9]. New (2002) cedar-shingled lodge and luxury cabins on Cox Bay.
• Wickaninnish Inn, 725-3100 (1-800-333-4604) [10]. An amazing upscale hotel built on the rocks on Chesterman beach, Pointe Restaurant - a restaurant rated one of the best in Canada, and spa right on the beach at scenic Chesterman Beach. $340-1000+. The best hotel in Tofino, period. Member Relais & Chateau.
• Himwista Lodge, 725-2017 (1-800-899-1947) [11]. Offers unique Tofino lodge experiences and quality stay with private hot tub and breathtaking ocean view of Clayoquot Sound. $150-350. Also with a full-serviced Sea Shanty Restaurant serving locally caught seafood.

Hostels

• Clayoquot Field Station at Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, 250.725.1220 [12]. Located on 12 acres of waterfront gardens, rainforest, paths and boardwalks. An educational facility that brings students researchers and travellers together for an introspective, quiet time. Dorm-style rooms and a private are suite are available. Rate includes admission to Tofino Botanical Gardens. $32-120.

• Whalers on the Point Guesthouse, 81 West Street, 725.3443 [13]. 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). [14]
• Bella Pacifica Campground. [15]. 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.

Get out

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