The best things to do in Tofino (and Ucluelet)

Last updated on October 8, 2026

I’d been dreaming of Tofino for more than ten years, ever since some surfer friends we met in Mexico told us about it. And now I’ve been, I think I’ll be dreaming about it forevermore. It was a huge part of why we did our whole Canada road trip.

Even the drive there feels special. You travel across Vancouver Island through forested mountains and ancient woodland, passing crystal-clear lakes before arriving at this cool little surf town right out on the west coast, seemingly at the edge of the world.

People cycle around with surfboards strapped to their bikes. There’s a taco truck that’s achieved cult status, and no shortage of good coffee, pies and the best ice-cream sundae I’ve ever had.

On one side, the Pacific stretches out, and on the other is Clayoquot Sound, dotted with forested islands where bears roam the shores and whales swim beyond. When the mist rolls in during the afternoon, the whole place takes on an otherworldly quality, with the mountains circled by rings of cloud.

It’s also a place where artists gather, hunkering down through the moody winters and selling their wares come summer. There’s a creative, hippy vibe.

While Tofino isn’t a secret, we loved it even at its busiest. There were bustling markets, surfers everywhere, bikes piled up outside cafés and that feeling that everyone was there because they really, really wanted to be.

It’s without doubt one of the most special places I’ve ever visited, and I hope we’ll be back.

Here’s my guide to visiting Tofino…

Is Tofino worth visiting?

Absolutely. Tofino has that rare combination of feeling adventurous and wild while still having plenty of comforts. You can spend your days on enormous beaches, take a beginner surf lesson, cycle between the town and coast, walk through the rainforest or join a wildlife tour. And between adventures, there are excellent cafés, restaurants and ice-cream stops.

We visited with our six- and eight-year-old boys and stayed for three nights in Tofino, followed by one night in Ucluelet. Tofino was one of the destinations we were most excited about on our three-week Canada road trip, and it lived up to the build-up for all of us.

How many days do you need in Tofino?

I’d allow at least three nights in Tofino, especially after making the long journey across Vancouver Island. That gives you two full days for the beaches, town and rainforest, with time for surfing or a wildlife trip if those are priorities.

Four or five nights would make the visit more relaxed and give you some flexibility around the famously changeable weather. You could also follow our route and spend a final night in Ucluelet, or base yourself there for the whole trip and visit Tofino by car.

Should you stay in Tofino or Ucluelet?

We preferred Tofino for its buzz, surf culture and brilliant food scene. It felt livelier and more immediately magical to us, and I loved being surrounded by surfers, cyclists, cafés and creative businesses.

But plenty of people prefer Ucluelet. It’s quieter, feels more lived-in and local, and accommodation can be less expensive. It also has the spectacular Wild Pacific Trail on its doorstep. The two towns are around 40 minutes apart, so you can explore both whichever one you choose as your base.

If you’re drawn to Tofino’s energy and want lots of restaurants within easy reach, stay in Tofino. If you prefer somewhere calmer, more practical and potentially better value, look at Ucluelet.

The best things to do in Tofino

Explore Tofino’s beaches

Beach life is at the heart of Tofino, and the beaches are spectacular whatever the weather – maybe even more so when the mist rolls in. Chesterman Beach and Cox Bay are both brilliant places to walk, play and watch the surfers, while Long Beach stretches along the coast within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

You don’t need a packed itinerary here. Some of our favourite moments were simply wandering across the sand, watching the mist move around the mountains and taking in the sheer scale of the Pacific.

Remember that you need a valid national park entry pass when stopping within the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Check the current Parks Canada guidance before visiting.

If you’re deciding where to go, these are the main differences:

• Cox Bay: A good choice for watching the surf and soaking up Tofino’s surf-town atmosphere.
• Chesterman Beach: A beautiful setting for a long beach walk, with tide pools to explore carefully at low tide.
• Long Beach: Head here for the scale of the coastline and those enormous Pacific views, within the national park reserve.
• Tonquin Beach: A smaller beach reached by a short forest trail close to town, with steps along the way. It’s also a lovely option for sunset.
• Mackenzie Beach (Tinwis): Typically more sheltered from large waves than Cox Bay, although you still need to check conditions and respect the ocean.

Try surfing or watch from the beach

Tofino is Canada’s best-known surf town, with lessons and equipment hire available for complete beginners as well as experienced surfers. We did a private family lesson with Surf Sister Tofino, a company that was created to encourage a more inclusive surf culture (nowadays people of all gender identities work there). Everyone we met there was lovely, especially our surf instructor who had incredible patience with the kids. They were a bit nervous and she really helped them to have fun.

If you’re happy surfing yourself, there are hire companies all around town. The only one on the beach is at the surf club at Long Beach Lodge on Cox Bay. This is really handy as then you don’t have to transport the boards down to the beach – that said the hire companies in town are also happy to help you attach them to your car (even without a roof rack!).

And if surfing isn’t your thing, make sure to at least watch the surfers – it’s part of the Tofino experience! And the Surf Sister shop is worth a visit too.

Cycle around Tofino

Cycling is one of the best ways to experience the area and makes parking less of an issue. Tofino’s Multi-Use Path joins the ʔapsčiik t̓ašii pathway through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and continues towards Ucluelet, creating a continuous route between the two communities.

You don’t have to ride the entire route. Hire bikes for a few hours and use them to reach a beach, café or ice-cream stop. The sight of families and surfers cycling through town is part of what I loved about Tofino.

Explore Tofino town

Tofino itself is small, but it’s worth leaving time to wander rather than rushing between activities. Browse the galleries and independent shops, look out for summer markets and stop for coffee somewhere filled with surfers and sandy children.

The town has a strong creative community, and there’s a laid-back, hippy quality beneath the summer bustle. It was busy during our stay, but we enjoyed the energy rather than finding it overwhelming.

For something more specific than simply wandering, look out for the Tofino Market on the Village Green and the town’s public art walks. Market dates and evening events vary by season, so check the current programme. Another interesting stop is Henry Nolla’s Carving Shed at North Chesterman Beach, a working space associated with local cedar carving; be respectful of the artists and check visiting arrangements. I also loved the little surf boutiques like Pacific Surf School and Caravan Beach Shop.

Tofino is in Tla-o-qui-aht territory, and the surrounding region includes Ahousaht territory. Indigenous culture is a living part of this place, rather than simply its history. Booking an Indigenous-owned tour is one way to learn more from the people whose lands and waters you’re visiting (we did this with Ahous Adventures for our wildlife tour)

Take a wildlife tour

Boat trips head into Clayoquot Sound and the waters beyond Tofino for whale watching, bear watching and trips to Hot Springs Cove.

We went on a bear-watching tour with Ahous Adventures during our stay. It’s an eco and cultural tour company owned and operated by the Ahousaht Nation, offering trips within Ahousaht territorial lands and waters.

Bear watching here is done from a boat, looking towards the shoreline where black bears forage in the intertidal zone. It gives you a different perspective on the landscape from exploring the beaches by road. Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, and departure times can depend on the tides. We saw black bears, sea otters, seals and bald eagles. Our trip was around 2 hours and our eldest counts it as one of his Canada highlights (our youngest was captivated for an hour and then he fell asleep!).

Ahous Adventures also incorporates Ahousaht culture, history and storytelling into its tours. If you’re choosing between operators, that Indigenous perspective is worth considering alongside the boat type, trip length and practical details.

Choose a responsible operator and check the trip length and boat type before booking.

Take a whale-watching tour

Whale watching is another major reason people visit Tofino. We chose bear watching here rather than a dedicated whale tour as we did that in Victoria, but operators including Ahous Adventures run trips into the waters beyond the town to look for whales and other marine wildlife.

Choose according to the experience you want: boat type, time on the water and comfort in exposed conditions all matter. Ask about the likely conditions and wildlife for your travel dates, and remember that sightings can never be promised.

Visit Hot Springs Cove

Hot Springs Cove is one of the excursions I’d consider on a return visit. We didn’t do it on this trip, but it’s a chance to combine a journey through the coastal scenery with a soak in natural geothermal pools beside the ocean.

You reach it by boat or floatplane, followed by a rainforest boardwalk to the springs in Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. Allow a substantial part of the day rather than treating it as a quick extra between activities, and check the walking requirements, access conditions and time at the pools with your operator.

Kayak in Clayoquot Sound

For a slower way to explore the islands and waterways, consider a guided sea-kayaking tour in Clayoquot Sound. We didn’t kayak during our stay, but this would be high on my list for another visit.

Some trips combine paddling with a walk on Meares Island’s Big Tree Trail, while others focus on exploring the islands by water. Operators such as Paddle West Kayaking offer guided options. Check the experience level, minimum age and duration for the specific trip; sheltered-looking water still needs local knowledge of tides and conditions.

Walk through the rainforest

The coast isn’t only about beaches. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve protects temperate rainforest as well as the shoreline, with short trails and boardwalks that make it possible to experience the enormous trees without committing to a long hike.

The combination of rainforest, ocean and mist is a huge part of what makes this corner of Vancouver Island feel so special.

For planning your walks, these are useful options to research:

• Rainforest Trail, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: Two separate boardwalk loops, A and B, through the old-growth forest. Each is roughly a kilometre long, but there are stairs, so a short distance doesn’t mean step-free access.
• Tonquin Trail, Tofino: A convenient way to combine forest, coastal views and access to Tonquin Beach without driving into the national park reserve.
• Big Tree Trail, Meares Island Tribal Park: Reached by water taxi or kayak, making it more of an excursion than a roadside stop. Guided trips are an option if you’d like help arranging the crossing and learning about the forest.

Check current trail conditions before setting off, particularly after storms. These are suggested options rather than a claim that we walked every trail during our visit.

Visit Ucluelet and walk the Wild Pacific Trail

Even if you stay in Tofino, make time for Ucluelet. It has a working-harbour atmosphere and a calmer, more local feel.

Its headline attraction is the Wild Pacific Trail, an easy-to-navigate coastal trail through old-growth forest with views across the rocky shoreline, Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands. You can choose a shorter section rather than walking the entire trail.

Things to do in Tofino with kids

We visited with our six- and eight-year-old boys, and Tofino lived up to the hype for all of us. Most of the activities above work just as well with children: enormous beaches to play on, short rainforest walks, cycling and wildlife trips, with plenty of ice-cream stops in between.

For a family visit, I’d prioritise:

• Beach time at Chesterman Beach or Cox Bay. Leave room for playing on the sand rather than filling every day with activities.
• A beginner surf lesson. Several operators offer family and children’s lessons; check minimum ages and swimming requirements before booking. We loved Sister Surf.
• A wildlife tour. We chose bear watching with Ahous Adventures. Check age restrictions and trip length, especially if your children find longer guided excursions tiring.
• A short rainforest walk or section of the Wild Pacific Trail. You don’t need to commit to a long hike to enjoy the scenery.
• Hotel Zed. The hotel’s games, hidden arcade and mini disco made downtime an attraction in itself.

The ocean is powerful and cold, so follow beach warnings and supervise children carefully around waves and driftwood.

For a different activity in Ucluelet, consider the Ucluelet Aquarium. Its collect-and-release approach introduces visitors to marine life from local waters, with animals returned to their habitat rather than kept permanently. We didn’t visit, but it’s a useful option to research for a rainy day. Check seasonal opening dates before travelling.

Where to eat in Tofino and Ucluelet

Tofino has a surprisingly brilliant food scene for such a small town. Good food is part of the experience here rather than something you have to seek out between activities.

• Tacofino – The original food truck has achieved cult status, and eating tacos here feels like a Tofino rite of passage. I had to queue for 30 minutes but it was worth it! The queue is much shorter at the restaurant in town and there’s a different menu, so it’s worth visiting both!
• Tofino Licks – Home to one of the best ice-cream sundaes I’ve ever had.
• Savary Island Pie Company – A lovely stop for pies, baked goods and coffee.
• ROAR at Hotel Zed – A cosy restaurant serving locally sourced food, much of it cooked over live fire.
• Heartwood Kitchen, Ucluelet – A cute breakfast and brunch restaurant serving scratch-made West Coast food in a historic house.
• The Break Cafe & Bistro, Ucluelet – A relaxed option for brunch, homemade pastries and good coffee.

Where to stay in Tofino and Ucluelet

Hotel Zed Tofino

It’s my job to find cool places to stay with kids, and this retro, 1970s-inspired hotel in Tofino has nailed it. It achieves that rare mix of being stylish and also loads of fun for both adults and children. Plus, it’s in one of the best places in the world.

The boys declared Hotel Zed Tofino one of the best hotels they’ve ever visited. They were obsessed with all the games and hidden details, while I was bowled over by the rainforest setting and forest spa.

The hidden arcade behind a moving bookcase and mini disco were huge hits, alongside the board games, ping-pong and outdoor play area. I loved the sunken 1970s living room, rainforest hot tub and barrel sauna. And I genuinely had one of the best massages of my life in a little bell tent in the forest, listening to birdsong.

The bike-through lobby and driftwood campervan capture the hotel’s playful spirit, while the private inlet and bird sanctuary make the setting feel special. We also loved the cosy on-site restaurant, ROAR.

I also love that Hotel Zed supports Tribal Park Allies, so a stay contributes to protecting the land and culture of the territory you’re visiting.

Our stay was hosted by Hotel Zed, but all opinions are our own. Read our complete Hotel Zed Tofino review. You can use the code BB15 for 15% off your stay.

Pacific Rim Motel in Ucluelet

For our final night, we moved to Pacific Rim Motel in Ucluelet. It was the cheapest suitable accommodation I could find and had good views over the harbour.

It isn’t one of our usual design-led or especially cool places to stay, but it had a certain charm in a classic Canadian-motel kind of way and worked well for one night. It’s a practical option if you want to experience Ucluelet or find somewhere more affordable than Tofino.

More places to stay around Tofino

These are three other options worth considering. We haven’t stayed at them, so these are suggestions rather than firsthand reviews.

• Surf Grove Camping:This lovely-looking campground is right beside Cox Bay, making it a brilliant option if you want beach walks and surfing on your doorstep. It has serviced RV sites and other camping options, but it was full when we looked, so book well ahead for summer.
• Crystal Cove Beach Resort: A beachside option on Mackenzie Beach, with log cabins, RV pitches and ready-set-up RV glamping. The cabins look especially appealing if you want a cosy coastal base with more space and self-catering facilities.
• Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge: For a serious splurge, this remote retreat on the Bedwell River pairs luxurious safari-style tents with meals and guided experiences included. It’s a separate wilderness stay rather than a base in Tofino town, with access by boat or seaplane. Children must be aged six or over. It looks incredible!

Getting to Tofino

The drive to Tofino is part of the experience. From Nanaimo, it takes around three hours without substantial stops, crossing Vancouver Island through forested mountains and past lakes before reaching the Pacific coast.

Allow longer than the navigation estimate so you can stop and enjoy the journey. Highway 4 is winding and can be affected by construction, weather and closures, so check current road conditions before setting out.

If you’re travelling from Vancouver, you’ll also need to account for the ferry crossing and check-in time. Reserve the ferry during busy summer periods rather than relying on space being available when you arrive.

There are a few places worth leaving time for on the journey across Vancouver Island:

• Cathedral Grove: Definitely stop for a short walk among the ancient trees. A quick loop can take around 15–20 minutes, although you’ll probably want to linger. Parking is very limited, so be prepared to change your plans if you can’t find a safe space.
• Cameron Lake: A lovely picnic stop before or after Cathedral Grove, with a chance to stretch your legs beside the water. Check local conditions before paddling or taking a dip.
• Coombs Old Country Market: The famous goats on the roof make this a fun detour, and the market is worth browsing for road-trip supplies and treats. It’s part of a bigger complex with lots of restaurants and shops.

Getting around Tofino and Ucluelet

A car is useful for reaching Tofino, Ucluelet and the beaches between them. Once you arrive, walking and cycling are much more enjoyable ways to explore Tofino itself.

The paved multi-use path connects the town with beaches and continues through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve towards Ucluelet. There are also seasonal shuttle and regional bus services, but routes and timetables change, so check the current options for your dates.

Practical tips for visiting Tofino

• Book accommodation early. Tofino’s small permanent population swells dramatically in summer, and rooms can be expensive and difficult to find. It can be worth booking months in advance.
• Pack waterproofs and layers. The weather can change quickly, and mist and rain are part of the West Coast atmosphere even during summer.
• Build in some flexibility. Surf lessons, wildlife trips and boat journeys can all be affected by conditions.
• Check whether you need a Parks Canada pass. A valid entry pass is required when stopping in the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
• Respect the ocean. The Pacific is powerful and the water is cold. Follow beach warnings and check conditions before entering the water.
• Reserve the ferry. Summer sailings between Vancouver and Vancouver Island can be busy.

Map of things to do in Tofino and Ucluelet

When is the best time to visit Tofino?

Our visit was in summer, when we loved the bustle of the town and the long days for exploring. It’s a popular time to visit, so book accommodation early. Even in summer, don’t expect reliable beach weather: mist, rain and chilly evenings are part of the experience.

Spring and autumn are worth considering if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, though conditions and tour availability vary. Winter offers a different kind of trip, with dramatic weather, cosy stays and storm watching rather than a summer-style itinerary.

Go storm watching in autumn or winter

We haven’t experienced Tofino in storm season, but it’s one of the things that makes the town an appealing destination beyond summer. Watching enormous waves from a warm, sheltered spot sounds like a pretty wonderful way to spend a wild-weather day.

Choose a safe viewpoint and follow current advisories. Storm watching doesn’t mean approaching the surf: waves and moving driftwood can be dangerous. A comfortable indoor setting such as the Wickaninnish Inn offers a very different way to enjoy the coastline.

A relaxed three-day Tofino itinerary

Day one: Arrive and explore

Enjoy the drive across Vancouver Island, check into your accommodation and spend the late afternoon exploring Tofino or walking on Chesterman Beach. Have an easy dinner at ROAR or Tacofino.

Day two: Beaches and Tofino town

Spend the morning at Cox Bay or Long Beach, with a surf lesson if you fancy it. Explore Tofino’s shops and galleries in the afternoon, stopping for coffee, pie or ice cream. Finish with another beach walk as the mist rolls in.

Day three: Choose an adventure

Use your final full day for a wildlife tour, a cycle ride or a rainforest walk in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Alternatively, drive to Ucluelet and walk part of the Wild Pacific Trail before eating at Heartwood Kitchen or The Break Cafe.

Is Tofino worth the long journey?

For us, completely. Tofino was one of the main reasons we planned our Canadian road trip and became one of its undisputed highlights. It has spectacular scenery, excellent food and plenty to do, but what stayed with me most was the feeling of the place: the surfboards, mist, rainforest, artists and sense of being right on the edge of the world.

The whole family loved it, and Hotel Zed made the stay even more memorable. I’d dreamed of Tofino for more than a decade before we arrived. Now that I’ve been, I suspect I’ll be dreaming about going back for just as long.