Tofino Road Trip Itinerary
Located on a peninsula west of Vancouver Island, Tofino is a much visited destination known for its surfing, beaches, and rainforest. Here, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for hiking, surfing, wildlife viewing, and beach walks.
This small coastal town swells up in the summer, as visitors flock to the region. In the cooler season, you’ll find a more cozy atmosphere with misty rainforest and the occasional opportunity for storm-watching.
With stretches of expansive sandy shores, Tofino is a wonderful place for gentler activities such as peaceful walks on the beach. Tofino is an enclave for outdoor enthusiasts, but also offers many moderate trails and activities as well, including boardwalk trails.
What anyone can appreciate about Tofino is the wild natural beauty and wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re visiting from Vancouver or elsewhere on Vancouver Island, Tofino is an excellent nature retreat.
Arriving to Vancouver Island
If you are coming in from Vancouver, the most common route to get to Tofino will have a start point in the city of Nanaimo. BC Ferries transports passengers and vehicles departing from both Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen terminals in Vancouver.
If you are planning to rent a vehicle on Vancouver Island, Hullo Ferries is a passenger ferry service providing a quick and convenient alternative to BC Ferries. Hullo Ferries departs from downtown Vancouver and drops you off in central Nanaimo.
I chose to rent a vehicle in Nanaimo and took Hullo Ferries departing right from the downtown Vancouver waterfront. Once you’ve reached Nanaimo, the road trip consists mainly of driving west on Highway 4.
Best Stops on the Drive to Tofino
Old Country Market
A quirky roadside stop that you will encounter off the highway in the community of Coombs is the Old Country Market.
This market is a standout with the grazing goats on the building’s rooftop. This market is the perfect pit stop for getting a coffee, snack, or to stock up on some food. Inside the market you’ll find groceries, local shops, as well as vendors selling prepared foods.
Cathedral Grove at Macmillan Provincial Park
Conveniently right off of the highway, Cathedral Grove is a natural attraction. It’s an old growth forest home to giant Douglas fir trees, with some trees being more than 800 years old.
There’s short trails on both sides of the highway, leading into the forest and giving visitors access to the beautiful trees and greenery. Some parts of the trail have a boardwalk, with a cool and peaceful atmosphere surrounded by moss and fern.
Top Things to Do in Tofino
Chesterman Beach
Chesterman Beach is one of the best beaches in Tofino. The first thing to notice is the how wide and open the beach is. With a lengthy stretch of sandy shoreline, this beach is perfect for a peaceful walk, especially during low tide.
It’s also great for people watching, as you’ll no doubt see plenty of people in the water surfing. You can listen to and watch the powerful waves as they roll in. Lastly, it’s also a wonderful spot to watch the sunset.
I would recommend going to the beach during a non-busy hour, as the parking can be quite crowded during peak season. Alternatively, if you are staying in Tofino, there is the public bus and seasonal shuttle bus that stops near Chesterman Beach.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (Long Beach + Rainforest Trail)
This park encompasses a large selection of rugged terrain in Tofino, consisting of various parts including trails and beaches. It includes Long Beach which is easily accessible by vehicle. This long uninterrupted stretch of sandy beach is a beautiful spot for walking the shoreline, surfing, taking photos, storm-watching, admiring the amazing view of the Pacific Ocean.
Another popular activity that is easily accessible off the main road is the Rainforest Trail. This trail consists of a wooden boardwalk that weaves through the rainforest. The walk offers lovely scenery with towering trees, moss-covered branches, and dense greenery. While the trail is short and scenic, there are sections with plenty of stairs.
While the two previously mentioned stops are two popular easy stops, the park also offers an abundance of other trails and activities (cycling, surfing, camping) for those that would like to experience more.
Stop by Ucluelet for the Wild Pacific Trail and Aquarium
South of Tofino, is the nearby coastal town of Ucluelet. It’s about a 35-minute drive, with visitors often choosing to base their stay out of Ucluelet as there are plenty of accommodation options, many of which are lower cost than staying in Tofino.
Two highlights of Ucluelet are the Wild Pacific Trail and the Ucluelet Aquarium. The aquarium on the waterfront showcases marine life that is local to the west coast of Vancouver Island. Here, you can explore exhibits with fascinating sea creatures.
The Wild Pacific Trail is a scenic coastal walking trail with spectacular views of the rocky shoreline and dramatic views of the ocean. The more popular section is the Lighthouse Loop, as it is a moderate 2.6 km (1.6 mile) trail immersed in the wild nature offering amazing lookout points.
Explore the Town of Tofino
Tofino’s town centre is small and walkable with cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries. If you’re looking to do a tour, you’ll find a variety of tour operators available here as well.
Enjoy a walk through the town centre, grab a coffee, browse the shops, and admire the harbor views. There’s plenty of dining options for a sit down meal after a day of hiking in nature. The town has a charm to it, and is worth stopping by, especially to get a meal or snack.
Try Surf Lessons or Go Whale Watching
Surf lessons can be booked through local surf schools for those interested in experiencing Tofino’s waves. These beginner-friendly lessons usually take place at Chesterman Beach, Long Beach, or Cox Bay.
Meanwhile, whale watching experiences can be booked through tour operators in town. The boats typically depart from the Tofino harbor and head out to explore the waters of Clayoquot Sound in search of gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions, and other marine wildlife.
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