On the central west coast of Vancouver Island, in the heart of Clayoquot Sound, lies the village of Tofino. This evolving community is situated at the north end of the Pacific Rim National Park, on the tip of Esowista Peninsula.
Getting to Tofino
By Road
Travelling by car or bus, you ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo (two route options: the southern route -- Tsawwassen to Duke Point, or the northern route -- Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay), then drive over the mid-island summit, through Port Alberni, and down to the coast. Or, catch the Tofino Bus from Nanaimo or Victoria. Allow three hours from Nanaimo.
From Seattle
If you are leaving from Seattle, a ferry ride to Victoria is followed by a five-hour drive up the Island Highway, through Nanaimo and Port Alberni, to Tofino. Or you can drive to Vancouver, and follow the directions above.
Either route is a beautiful and highly enjoyable drive, but if you find the time and distance too daunting, there are daily flights in the summer and frequently scheduled flights in the spring and fall.
Transportation
Air - Direct to Tofino
Orca Air: www.orcaair.com
Tofino Air: www.tofinoair.ca
Kenmore Air: www.KenmoreAir.com
Sound Flight: www.soundflight.com
Bus & Car
Tofino Bus: www.tofinobus.com- the fastest transit to, from and within Tofino!
Budget Truck & Car Rentals: www.budgetrentacar.com
Ferries
BC Ferries: www.bcferries.ca
Victoria Clipper (Victoria-Seattle): www.victoriaclipper.com
MV Coho/Blackball Express (Victoria-Port Angeles): www.ferrytravel.com
Washington State Ferries (Sidney-Anacortes): www.ferrytravel.com
Other Links with our friends around town!
Air - Local Scenic & chartered Flights
Atleo Air: www.atleoair.com
Tofino Air: www.tofinoair.ca
Accommodation - Resorts
Long Beach Lodge: www.longbeachlodgeresort.com "A spectacular beach resort."
Middle Beach Lodge: www.middlebeach.com "A quiet place...on a wild coast."
Pacific Sands Beach Resort: www.pacificsands.ca "Surf, Sand and Solitude."
Wickaninnish Inn: www.wickinn.com "Beach, waves, stormwatching..breathtaking."
Accommodation - non resort options
Chesterman Beach B & B: www.chestermanbeach.net "The First Bed & Breakfast on the West Coast... ."
Gold Coast Retreat : www.goldcoasttofino.com "Experience peace and harmony... ."
Sauna House B & B : www.saunahouse.net "a one minute stroll from Chesterman Beach.. "
THINGS TO DO - other than kayaking!
SURFING
Pacific Surf School: www.pacificsurfschool.com
"Pacific Surfschool's lessons are the longest and most thourough on the West Coast.."
WHALE WATCHING & HOT SPRINGS TOURS
Whale Centre: www.tofinowhalecentre.com
"The company that cares..with local skippers since 1983."
Ocean Outfitters: www.oceanoutfitters.bc.ca
"The ultimate in whale & bear watching, hot springs & birding.
CRUISIN' IN COMFORT
Browning Pass Charters: www.browningpass.com "Let us take you on a leisurely bear watching cruise aboard the 37 foot yacht the "Browning Passage."
BIRD WATCHING
Just Birding: www.justbirding.com
"For the beginner birder to the keen birder. With over 40 years of international experience."
NATIVE CANOE TRIPS
Tla-ook Cultural Adventures: www.tlaook.com
"Paddle a traditional ocean-going cedar canoe with a First Nations guide."
For more information on Tofino visit
our chamber of commerce!
Clayoquot Sound
Straddling the 49th parallel, Canada's newest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve consists of over 260,000 hectares of islands, fjord inlets, mountains and beaches. Clayoquot Sound encompasses a vast range of ecosystems, including large tracts of temperate rainforest, many lakes, rivers and streams, alpine slopes, inshore marine areas, mudflats and wild coastal beaches.
On remote sand dune beaches the tracks of countless shorebirds lie beside the solitary prints of the rarely seen wolf and cougar. In the pristine ancient rainforests, the stillness is underscored by the melodious song of varied thrush and the hunting call of soaring eagles.
Varying weather, ocean swell and semi-diurnal tides create the dynamic energy that makes this diverse region so fascinating for exploration by sea-kayakers.
Tofino
Surrounded by water on three sides, Tofino thrives on the ocean resources. Fishing boats ply the coastal waters; crab fishers and oyster growers unload at local docks.
The town is a friendly and welcoming community for visitors, with excellent hotels, restaurants and galleries.
There are many services, including a Park shuttle bus, photo processing shop, visitor info centre, small and large grocery stores, a liquor store, a pharmacy, a clinic and a hospital.
