Tofino

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History

Tofino was named in 1792 by Spanish explorers for hydrographer Don Vincent Tofino. The area remained largely the territory of coast Natives who lived off the land and reaped the benefits of the surrounding forests and abundant ocean.

In the early 1900s, there were only a handful of non-native settlers living in the area, considered then as one of the most remote parts of Canada. In 1913, a church was built at Tofino, soon followed by a post office, logging camps and stores. Access to the remote outpost was by ship until the threat of invasion in World War II saw the building of a military airport. Road access began Tofino's transformation from a remote fishing village in the spectacular Clayoquot Sound to a world-class tourism destination.

Location

Literally at the end of the road, Tofino is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Accessed via Highway 4 from Parksville, Tofino is 42 kiloemtres (26 miles) north of Ucluelet and 130 kilometres (81 miles) west of Port Alberni. Daily flights to Tofino are available from Vancouver throughout the high season. Regular, scheduled flights to Tofino are also offered from Victoria and Seattle. Tofino Bus offers affordable bus service to Tofino from Vancouver and Victoria via BC Ferries. Tofino Bus also offers local service along the Pacific Rim between Tofino and Ucluelet. Driving time to Tofino from Vancouver is appoximately 7 hours (including your trip on BC Ferries).

Places to See

• Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre

The Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre is perched on the shore of the Pacific at the end of Wick Road, 3.5 kilometres from Highway 4. This information centre, interpretive facility, and gift shop focuses on the natural and cultural heritage of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Visitors can enhance their national park experience through exhibits, displays, films, and other events. An all-terrain wheelchair is available for visitor use. The Wickaninnish Centre is open mid March to mid October, and also houses the Wickaninnish Restaurant.

• Eagle Aerie Gallery

Exceptional adventures are enjoyed by visitors to Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. They experience the migration of mammoth gray whales, comb miles of magnificent beaches and marvel at spectacular sunsets. Near the park, in the village of Tofino, a traditional Northwest Coast longhouse, with a carved and painted front and cedar plank exterior, draws the attention of passers by. Many visit this unusual building and discover a sanctuary. Passing through the beaten, copper doors is akin to entering a church. The ambiance inside is as peaceful as any place of worship.

• House of Himwitsa

Himwitsa, in the Nuu Chah Nulth language, symbolizes an elder telling a life-meaning story to the young. The featured artists at the House of Himwitsa bring new life to storytelling and art forms, resulting in a revitalization of tradition and culture. Enter and view some of the most sought after masks, carvings, and jewelry in the world.

• Chocolate Tofino

Visit Tofino's one and only chocolate shop, Chocolate Tofino. Watch chocolatier Gordon Austin create fresh, handcrafted chocolates, homemade ice cream, gelato and sorbet, and custom-made cakes for all occasions. Don't miss the sweetest place in town!

• Hot Springs Cove

Twentyseven nautical miles north west of Tofino sits the picturesque Hot Springs Cove, home of the Hesquiat people and the Maquinna Provincial Park.

Unique to this location is the natural hot spring that bubbles up from a crack in the earth near the mouth of the bay. The simmering sulfur water flows as a gentle brook and then cascades as a waterfall into 5 interconnected natural pools that descend into the sea. At higher tides the waves of the pacific lap into the hot springs pools creating the incredible meeting of the cold ocean waters and the magma heated spring. Getting from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove itself is half the fun. A number of different operators in Tofino offer transportation via water or air. Most of these trips usually include whale watching, bird watching and other eco-interpretive activities. Once in the bay, it's a 30-minute hike along a cedar board walk through old-growth temperate rainforest to get to the hot springs.

For those that wish to enjoy the hot springs under the stars there is a lodge, a bed & breakfast and a campground. For a truly unique experience, stay at the floating bed and breakfast moored in the bay. No matter how long your visit to the hot springs might be, it's a good idea to take along lots of water, warm clothes, and a pair of good walking shoes.

• Whale Centre Maritime Museum

The Whale Centre Maritime Museum offers a display of artifacts collected and donated by Tofino locals over the past twenty five years. On exhibit is an assortment of traditional native jewelry, cedar baskets, paddles, sea life, local artifacts - from traditional whaling equipment to original navigation charts of the area, and a complete 40' gray whale skeleton.

Things to Do

• Fishing!

The Tofino/Clayoquot Sound area has a long history of fishing, and now plays host to world class sport fishing opportunities. Chinook and Coho Salmon, Halibut and various bottomfish make up the bounty for both guided and unguided sports anglers from around the world. Unique and somewhat remote freshwater opportunities for Steelhead and trout are a great option. Fishing in Tofino is incredible, with salmon, halibut, cod and crab being the catches of the day. The nearby rivers and lakes offer great trout fishing.

• Kayaking!

Kayakers have long been fond of the Tofino area. The numerous inlets and bays offer sheltered paddling, while the more adventurous can tackle the open ocean. There are a number of local kayaking tours that can be easily arranged.

• Whale Watching!

In mid-spring, grey whales begin their annual migration, passing right by Tofino. There are a number of charter companies that offer guided tours to view these magnificent creatures. From mid-March to mid-April, Tofino and Ucluelet celebrate the whales with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, which is both a fascinating and educational event.

• Surfing!

There are only two locations on Vancouver Island where you'll find a surfing community: Jordan River is one, and Tofino is the other. A small but dedicated group of aficionados lives here year-round, while another coterie safaris over as often as possible- particularly in winter months when storm season produces the best peeling surf. As the ocean temperature here hovers at a constant, chilly 6-7 degrees C (42-44 degrees F) year-round, it hardly matters what month it is: it's the waves that count. Tofino does boast the highest annual mean temperature in Canada, which may help remove some of the sting if you think about it hard enough while you're paddling out to catch one more wave. Long Beach boasts the only Surf Camp of its kind in Canada, providing popular adult camps, youth camps, and daily surfing lessons. You can also learn to surf at Canada's only all-women surf school, offering weekend and weekday Clinics, Mother & Daughter Camps, and Teen Camps. Cox Bay, midway between Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park is Canada's Malibu. Vancouver Island ranks as a rugged wilderness adventure best experienced amongst huge winter swells, beginners stick to the gentler surf and reassuring crows of summer.

Events

• Pacific Rim Whale Festival

During the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, free public viewing stations are set up at Amphitrite Point Lighthouse. Get closer to the migrating grey whales when you venture out onto the open pacific aboard local charter boats or floatplanes offering whale-watching excursions from either Ucluelet or Tofino.  

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Tourism Tofino
Box 1140
Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
Street address:
1426 Pacific Rim Highway
Tofino, BC
Toll Free: 1.888.720.3414
Tel: 250-725-3414
E-mail: info@tourismtofino.com
Web: www.tourismtofino.com