don’t ask me how it took me 31 years to get to Tofino, but it’s a pandemic and i’m “stuck” in Canada and better late than never eh! either way, i am here now to confirm it is 100% worth the hype!

If you’re looking to explore Vancouver Island, Tofino isn’t the only gem you should visit. Check out my Road trippin’ Vancouver Island blog post for some other beauty spots!

Tofino really is the perfect west coast experience, with rugged seaside landscapes, amazing wildlife, laid-back surfer vibes, ample outdoor adventures, and a lifestyle that allows you to soak it all in with 0 stress. the last few months have not been my fave so it was soo amazing to feel so happy and free again and just live in the moment.

even though i visited during covid, when our borders are still closed to international tourists, Tofino was still quite bumpin’. there are lots of precautionary measures in place but it was just nice to be around a new place with a VIBE again after the last few months of quarantine. restaurants were full (wolf in the fog had resos booked up for the entire week, but we still got in through standby), the streets were filled with pedestrians, beaches were populated, the chilly waters were jam-packed with surfers.

it would be so fun to come here as a solo traveller or with friends for a party vibe, or come just for a surf or yoga/wellness retreat. i came with my family for a trip of relaxing/exploring and it was AMAZING. if you know me you must know i am obsessed with my lil niece and nephew and it was so special to spend this time with the fam.

Where we stayed

we rented the dreamiest house i’ve probably ever stayed in, right on the inlet so we were looking out onto the water when the tide came in every day. i was pinching myself fo sho. the coolest thing was like 90% of the time when we looked across the inlet, there was a black bear (sometimes two!) grazing on the opposite shore. now that is west coast livin’.

the link to the house on vrbo is here: it was about $800/night when my brother booked it, which gave my budget backpacker soul a mini heart attack, but it has beds for 8 people making it about $100 per person/night which is less jarring. it’s also about the cost of 2 rooms in Pacific Sands (one of the beautiful oceanfront resorts in Tofino) and for us this house suited us perfectly.

How to get there

to get to Tofino, take the ferry to Nanaimo and drive 3 hours across the tree-covered island to Tofino. it’s a bit of a windy road but not bad, and if you want there are some gorgeous lakes/rivers to stop at along the way. there is a big construction project right before you get to Tofino with waits up to 30 mins long so keep that in mind if you’re on a timeline. if you’re travelling during COVID, make sure to bring a mask for the ferry and vehicle passengers are asked to stay in their cars.

Ferry views coming back to Horseshoe Bay

What to do

there is a ton to do in Tofino!! here’s some of my recos:

first, spend a night or at least stop over in Ucluelet first. it’s less touristy and you’ll see more wildlife like bald eagles and deer outside your hotel. the views on the Lighthouse Loop were INSANE. Here’s my blog post on Ucluelet and other Vancouver Island road trip gems.

go biking down Long Beach. note you have to pay to park here- $12 for me and my mom for 4 hours - which is p annoying but if you wanna see a long beach, you should go here (yes it is true to its name). biking here was soo freeing. :)

also bike down Chesterman Beach! it is SOOO beautiful pics definitely don’t do it justice. stroll its sandy beach to wickanninish inn, go surfing or boogie boarding. go down to the south side when the tide’s out to explore caves, tunnels, climb the cliff, and find the starfish, sea urchins, mussels, etc. my mom and i just went on a bike ride and discovered all these other treasures, it was our fave morning.

Cox Beach is smaller, busier, also beautiful, TONS of surfers here even when it was 13 degrees.

go on the short hike through the woods to Tonquin Beach or Third Beach just outside of town, it would be nice to chill at these beaches for a bit if the weather is nice, they’re secluded and peaceful.

whale watching with Tofino Whale Centre was a big bucket list check, because (drumroll please) we saw an orca!!

we did a whale watching tour a few days earlier in Ucluelet and loved it, but heard there were orcas spotted in Tofino so we gave it another go. it felt like when i get so laser focussed on seeing a leopard on my safari so i was giving myself a pep talk like okay kellie you’re gonna enjoy it with or without the orcas, but luck was on our side! we saw a beautiful male orca cruising along the shore on our way back to the marina, it was so graceful and magical. i could’ve stayed with it all day.

also saw tons of grey whales, like 12 all around our boat, and a humpback in the distance (they call it a hat trick to spot all 3 whale types on one trip and our guide said it’s only happened one other time in his life!). it was also just very epic to be out on the water, the landscape is so beautiful and you see sea lions and otters and seals and seagulls and puffins and it all just feels v planet earth esque.

lots of shopping in Tofino! surf shops like Storm or Surf Sister and loved the home decor/clothing at Salt.

Where to eat

for dining, of course you have to go to tacofino but don’t expect to be the only one with that idea — our wait was an hour but trust me it was delish. we got food (dine-in and takeout) from 1909 twice, it is soooo good, the chef won top chef Canada. i loved the broccoli/asparagus pizza. the pachamama bowl from shed was good, wolf in the fog is v popular, lots of seafood, but pricey. The Pointe is supposed to be amazing but the wikaninnish inn wouldnt let us in without a reso, and of course visit the brewery if you like beer.

When to go

Tofino was quite chilly and cloudy when we were there even in early july, i would suggest bundling up no matter what time of year it is! would also be fun to go in the off season and go storm watching ✨.