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City guide

Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC

Tofino is a town of approximately 2,516 residents on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The District of Tofino is located at the western terminus of Highway 4 on the tip of the Esowista Peninsula at the southern edge of Clayoquot Sound.

Type CityPopulation 2,516

Why go

  • District municipality in British Columbia, Canada.
  • Known for surfing, hippies.
  • 1 hand-picked place to stay.
  • Served by Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ).

History

Tofino is a town of approximately 2,516 residents on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The District of Tofino is located at the western terminus of Highway 4 on the tip of the Esowista Peninsula at the southern edge of Clayoquot Sound. It is situated in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, who have occupied Clayoquot Sound for thousands of years. European and American vessels began trading along this coast in the late eighteenth century, and permanent non-Indigenous settlement began in the 1890s; the community took the name Tofino, after nearby Tofino Inlet, in the early 1900s, and its post office opened in 1909. Tofino was incorporated as a municipality in 1932 and as a district in 1982.

Where to stay

1421 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · pacificsands.com
Indoor
1292 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · cedarwoodcove.ca
Indoor
1326 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · emeraldforestretreat.com
Indoor
140 Arnet Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · mearesretreat.com
Indoor
1337 Chesterman Beach Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · beachbreaklodge.com
Indoor
637 Neilson Pl, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · anglersinntofino.com
Indoor
1345 Chesterman Beach Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · chestermanbeach.com
Indoor
Bedwell River Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot C, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada · clayoquotwildernesslodge.com
Indoor
1302 Lynn Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · thepointatchesterman.com
Indoor
1165 Cedarwood Pl, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · crystalcove.ca
Indoor
300 Main St #100L, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · himwitsa.com
Indoor
1258 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · hotelzed.com
Indoor
760 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · mearesvistainn.com
Indoor
555 Hellesen Dr, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · oceanvillageresort.com
Indoor
680 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · stormbay.ca
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1269 Lynn Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · pacificcoastretreats.com
Indoor
215 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · duffincove.com
Indoor
1441 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · longbeachlodgeresort.com
Indoor
350 Olsen Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · theshorelinetofino.com
Indoor
320 Main St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · tofinopaddlersinn.com
Indoor
400 MacKenzie Beach Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · middlebeach.com
Indoor
542 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · islandvillagetofino.com
Indoor
500 Osprey Ln, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · wickinn.com
Indoor
350 Main St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · toughcity.com
Indoor
634 Campbell St slip A12, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · tofinoresortandmarina.com
Indoor
120 First St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · themaqhotel.com
Indoor
345 Lone Cone Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · lighthouseinntofino.ca
Indoor
1101 BC-4, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · mackenziebeach.com
Indoor
1119 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · bestwestern.com
Indoor
1358 Chesterman Beach Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · naluhouse.com
Indoor
615 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · wardowest.com
Indoor
1212 Lynn Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada
Indoor
1286 Lynn Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada
Indoor
1115 Fellowship Dr, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · tofinovacation.com
Indoor
1190 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada · dolphinmotel.ca
Indoor
321 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 3A0, Canada
Indoor

Restaurants & places to go

Bagel, Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Donut, Cafe · Breakfast, lunch, doughnuts, coffee Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-16:00 Features: vegan options · 430 Campbell… · rhinocoffeehouse.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: We, Th, Su 17:00-20:00; Fr, Sa 12:00-20:00 Features: takeaway · 220 Campbell Street · wavesandtacos.com
Indoor
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-20:00 · 131 First Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · adrianas.ca
Indoor
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 12:00-20:00; Su,Mo off · 551 Campbell Street · basicgoodnesspizzeria.com
Indoor
Fish And Chips, Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Th-Mo 12:00-19:00 · 411 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · bigdaddysfishfry.ca
Indoor
Regional, American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 · 1119 Pacific Rm Hwy, Tofino · brownssocialhouse.com
Indoor
Regional, Mediterranean, Salad, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 16:00-22:00 Features: vegetarian options · 311 Neill Street, Tofino · ombrerestaurant.com
Indoor
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-23:00 · 634 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · shelterrestaurant.com
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00; Mo-Su 07:00-21:30 · 421 Main Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · spicehutcanada.com
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 · 1119 Pacific Rim Hwy - Tin Wis Road, Tofino, V0R 3A0 · surfsidegrill.ca
Indoor
Regional, Burger, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:30-22:00 · 120 First Street, Tofino · thebearbierhaus.com
Indoor
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-22:00 · 500 Osprey Lane · thepointerestaurant.ca
Indoor
Japanese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo,We-Fr 12:00-19:00; Sa-Su 12:00-20:00; Tu off · 691 Industrial Way, V0R 2Z0 · heytokidoki.com
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-22:00 · 564 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · topinoy.com
Indoor
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo, Tu, Fr-Su 16:00-19:00 Features: step-free access · 350 Main Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · toughcity.com
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 308 Neill Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0
Indoor
Burger, Fish And Chips, Grill, Mexican, Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00 · 1180 Pacific Rim Highway, V0R2Z0
Indoor
Regional, Coffee Shop, Breakfast, Dessert, Brunch, Bagel, Cake, Lunch, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · 230 Main Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · savaryislandpiecompany.ca
Indoor
Regional, Sandwich, Breakfast, Diner, Cafe · Regional/Sandwich cafe · 630 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · naasfoods.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 09:00-20:00 · 700 Industrial Way, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · redcangourmet.com
Indoor
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating · 366 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · thecandyjartofino.com
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-16:00 · 605 Gibson Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · tofinocoffeeroasting.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-22:00 · 150 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · wolfinthefog.com
Indoor
Salad, Fast Food · Opening hours: closed Features: outdoor seating, vegan options
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-17:00 · 320 Main Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: We-Su 12:00-19:00 · 1441 Pacific Rim Highway, V0R 2Z0 · longbeachlodgeresort.com
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · 421 Main Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · spicehutcanada.com
Indoor
Regional, Seafood, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 331 Second Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0
Indoor
Sandwich, Fast Food · Sandwich fast food · 131 First Street
Indoor
Poke, Fast Food · Poke fast food
Indoor
Donair, Fast Food · Donair fast food · Campbell Street
Indoor
Mexican, Fast Food · Mexican fast food
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-16:00 Features: vegan options
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-24:00 · 461 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-15:00 Features: vegan options
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · jejutofino.com
Indoor
Ice Cream · ice cream · 605 Gibson Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0 · tufflicks.com
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Cafe · cafe
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Cafe · cafe
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Airports

Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ) 11 km to the centre
188 Airport Rd, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Tofino Water Taxi
Ferry terminal · 1 km from the centre
Outdoor
Lone Cone - Meares Island
Ferry terminal · 2.1 km from the centre
Outdoor
Opitsat Water Taxi
Ferry terminal · 2.2 km from the centre · Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation
Outdoor
Opitsaht
Ferry terminal · 4 km from the centre · Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation
Outdoor
Opitsat Water Taxi
Ferry route · Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation
Outdoor
Lone Cone - Meares Island
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 4 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Tofino Water Taxi, 1 km); routes include Opitsat Water Taxi, Lone Cone - Meares Island.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences