Hit the beach and surf
Tofino has 35 kilometres of sandy surf beach and calls itself Canada's surf capital. Cox Bay and Chesterman are the go-to spots, with schools that rent gear and teach every level. Even if you don't surf, the beaches are worth a long walk at low tide.
Read the surf guide →See whales and wildlife
Grey whales, humpbacks, and orcas all pass through, along with black bears foraging the shoreline at low tide. Boat tours run roughly March to October, and grey whales can often be spotted from shore.
Read the wildlife guide →Explore Clayoquot Sound
The inlets and islands around Tofino make up Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Region. Paddle it by kayak, take a boat tour, or hike the old-growth on Meares Island — the Big Tree Trail leads to some of the largest cedars on the coast.
Read the Clayoquot Sound guide →Soak at Hot Springs Cove
About 27 nautical miles north of town inside Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, Hot Springs Cove is reached by boat or seaplane. A 1.5 km boardwalk through old-growth rainforest leads to natural geothermal pools that spill toward the sea — an all-day trip and a Tofino highlight.
Hike the rainforest
Beyond Meares Island, the Lighthouse Trail and the boardwalks of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve wind through temperate rainforest and along the coast. Short, well-built trails make the old-growth accessible even in the rain.
Watch a winter storm
From October to March, storm watching is a reason to visit in itself. The beaches that make good surf make dramatic storm-viewing, and plenty of oceanfront rooms are built for watching the weather roll in.
Read the storm-watching guide →Common questions
- What is Tofino known for?
- Surfing, whale watching, winter storm watching, old-growth rainforest, and Clayoquot Sound — a UNESCO Biosphere Region on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
- What can you do in Tofino when it rains?
- Go storm watching, soak at Hot Springs Cove, hike the sheltered rainforest boardwalks, or watch the coast live from indoors. Rain is part of the experience here.
- How many days do you need in Tofino?
- Two to four days is enough to mix the beaches, a wildlife tour, and a day exploring Clayoquot Sound or Hot Springs Cove.
- Is Tofino worth visiting in winter?
- Yes. Storm-watching season from October to March is a genuine draw, with dramatic weather, fewer crowds, and lower rates.