Things to do in Tofino (plus what I would skip)
Tofino, also known as the “Hawaii” of Canada, is full of cute coffee shops, stunning beaches and even some hot springs! It is the perfect place to spend a weekend if you are visiting Canada for the first time or live in Vancouver.
I’ve been to Tofino multiple times and have had a range of different weather conditions and each time I go back I fall more in love with the place so I can definitely see why it gets so much hype.
I have some absolute favourite spots to visit and activities to do in Tofino but there are also some things that I would skip in the future if I was short on time.
This guide has a list of the best things to do in Tofino during summer, winter, fall and spring and includes my favourites, least favourites and bucket list spots that I want to visit in the future.
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The Best Things to do in Tofino
Tofino is the sort of place where there is something for everyone. You don’t have to be crazy about surfing to go to Tofino. Tofino has some really great hikes, some that take you pretty high up with views overlooking the ocean and others that take you deep into the forest to see things like an old plane crash from years ago!
If you are looking for a more chilled out time in Tofino, you relax on one of the gorgeous beaches or even go on a whale watching or bear spotting tour!
Quick Tips for visiting Tofino
Where to stay:
Pacific Sands Beach Resort⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.2 rating
The Shoreline Tofino ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7 rating
Best sunset spot : Cox Bay Lookout
Best coffee: The MAQ Cafe or Tofino Coffee Roasting Company
My favourite activity: Hot Springs Cove Tour
Most unique hike: Canso Plane Crash Hike
1. Hike to Cox Bay Lookout for sunset
Distance: 1.2km / 0.74 miles | Elevation Gain: 115m / 377 ft | Time: 2hrs | Dog Friendly: Yes, however your dog may struggle to climb up some sections.
The Cox Bay Lookout hike is our favourite hike in Tofino because it has one of the best sunset views in Tofino! It is extremely short but a little technical and muddy so keep this in mind if you have young kids. Keeping to the trail is also a little tricky as there are a few especially near the start that seem to go in different directions.
The best tip we can give you is to always keep to your right as you hike up to the viewpoint.
2. Hike to the Canso Plane Crash Site
Distance: 5.2km / 3.23 miles | Elevation Gain: 35m / 114 ft | Time: 1.5 – 2hrs | Dog Friendly: Yes
This is a super unique hike! When I think of the Canso Plane Crash Hike, I think of Mud mud mud! Even though it is very muddy, it is still an awesome hike. The “viewpoint” is of an old plane from the Royal Canadian Air Force which crashed back in 1945.
The plane wreckage is not the only interesting feature of this hike… You will also walk through an abandoned building which definitely has some creepy vibes going on. If creepy abandoned buildings are not your cup of tea however, you can walk around the building instead.
3. Join a Tour to Hot Springs Cove
Hot Springs Cove is my favourite Tofino tour! Before going, I was convinced this was way too touristy for me but after actually experiencing the tour, my mind has been completely changed. You get to see a much wilder, LESS TOURISTY part of Tofino than the main areas. I feel like if I think about British Columbia, this is the sort of thing I would imagine.
The tour consists of a 90 minute boat ride from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove, where you spot wildlife such as otters, whales, porpoise, harbour seals and bald eagles. Then once you reach the marina, it is a 2km walk through a mossy old growth forest to the springs.
I was blown away by this tour and would definitely do it again if I had the chance.
👉 Check availability and book the Hot Springs Cove tour here.
4. Hike the Rainforest Trail
Distance: 2.4km / 1.5 miles per loop | Elevation Gain: 35m / 114 ft | Time Needed: 2 hours total | Dog Friendly: Yes
There are a couple of different loops that you can do for this one, Loop A or Loop B. Each loop is approximately 1.2km which will take you around 45mins-1hr to complete. Both trails are very easy so are great for families and will take you through the beautiful lush rainforest along a boardwalk.
The Rainforest Trailhead for Loop A begins across the highway. The Loop B Trailhead is close to the parking lot.
5. Join a Tofino Bear Watching Tour
A bear spotting tour is something I would love to do in the future but I haven’t had the chance just yet. Vancouver Island, including the Tofino area, has one of the highest densities of black bears in North America, so if you are going to do a bear spotting tour anywhere, Tofino is a good place to do it!
On this tour, you will be taken around in a boat to watch the black bears head down to the shoreline to forage for food such as rock crab, starfish and kelp. These tours are only available once the bears have woken up from hibernation which is around April – May. The tours then start to wind down in around October as the bears head up river to feast on salmon.
6. Try out Beach Cruising
Tofino has lots of long flat beaches so it is a popular place for riding a bike along the beach. You can rent special beach bikes from Tofino Bike for $35 for up to 4 hours or $45 for a day.
I’ve seen videos of people riding these bikes on the beach at sunset and it looks unreal! This is another activity that’s pretty high up on my list of things to do in Tofino.
7. Go Whale Watching
There is seriously so much marine life along Tofino’s coastline! Not only will you see different species of whales, but you might also see seals, sea otters, porpoises and different types of birds such as bald eagles and puffins. The whale watching season usually starts in mid February and lasts until the end of October.
👉 Check availability and book your tour here.
Tip to get more bang for your buck
Personally, I think you get a bit more bang for your buck on the Hot Springs Tour because we saw whales, bald eagles, porpoises, sea otters and seals AND got to enjoy the hot springs.
8. Join a Tofino Kayak Tour
This 4.5 hour Kayak tour takes you along the coastline and is a great activity for those wanting to burn a little more energy at the same time as exploring the coast. Your guide will point out wildlife, including seals, eagles, and even the occasional orca! I can only imagine how incredible it would be to see this wildlife from a kayak!
9. Get a surfing lesson or rent a surfboard
Surfing in Tofino is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Whether you are an experienced surfer or someone looking to learn, Tofino is great for it! The most popular place to surf, is probably Cox Bay Beach and it is great for beginners. You can rent a board or even book in a lesson with Pacific Surf Co.
10. Check out the Beautiful Beaches in Tofino
The beaches in Tofino are gorgeous, especially at sunrise and sunset when the golden light is mixed with the sea mist and fog. Our favourite beach is Cox Bay Beach, followed closely by Long Beach. The below is a list of the best Tofino beaches that you need at to your Tofino itinerary!
- Cox Bay Beach – We absolutely loved the sunsets at this beach! If you decide to stay the Pacific Sands Beach Resort or the Surf Grove Campground, you will be right next to this beach.
- Long Beach – The name describes this beach well. It is indeed “long.” We enjoyed watching the surfers and taking some moody photos. This is also a great beach to go for a walk along the shoreline.
- Chesterman Beach – There are two sections to Chesterman Beach, South Chesterman Beach and North Chesterman Beach. North Chesterman Beach is very reliable for a good surf!
- MacKenzie Beach – Last time I was in Tofino, I stayed at Bella Pacifica campground, which is right on Mackenzie Beach so it was nice to be able to walk from my tent to the ocean in just a couple of minutes.
11. Enjoy the breweries, restaurants & cafes
Tofino has no shortage of awesome places to eat and drink! Some of my favourite breweries, restaurants include:
- Tacofino – Mexican food from a food truck. This place has become so popular that there are now 2 locations in Tofino and another in Vancouver!
- Rhino Coffee House – We had some pretty delicious breakfast bagels from here! Not a fan of the coffee though!
- Tofino Coffee Roasting Company – The best coffee that we tried while we were in Tofino. If you love coffee, you HAVE to go here!
- Tofino Brewing Company – We went here after a hike and it was so nice to sit outside in the courtyard with a beer and enjoy the sun. They also have a food cart with Japanese style food if you are hungry.
- The Wolf in the Fog – This is a fancyish restaurant. We actually ended up sharing a burger, fries and garlic bread which was more than enough food for us. The food was delicious and the cocktails were even better!
- Shelter Restaurant Tofino – Absolutely delicious food and frozen daquiris. Need we say more?
- The MAQ Cafe – Great coffee!
12. Book a Floating Sauna Experience – Top on my bucket list!
Last but not least, this is NUMBER 1 on my bucket list of things to do in Tofino and I’m dying to do it! Not gonna lie though, it is a little on the pricier side but it is more affordable if you have a larger group to split the cost between everyone.
This experience involves a 30 minute boat ride from Tofino to your own private wood-fired cedar sauna on a floating dock. On the dock, you also have access to a fire, hammocks, rope swing, kayaks, and paddleboards.
👉 Check availability and book your private floating sauna experience here!
What I would skip
Radar Hill
Radar Hill is a viewpoint which is only around a 200 metre / 5 minute walk from the parking lot. The viewpoint looks out over Clayoquot Sound. Radar Hill got its name as it was one of the radar stations used during WWII to warn of air strikes to North America.
The views were nice from up here but personally I think there are better views in Tofino so I tend to skip this on future trips.
My thoughts
Tofino has honestly surprised me the more I go back because there are so many more things to do than I initially realised. My favourite activity / spot that I’ve visited in Tofino is the Hot Springs Cove tour. I absolutely loved that the tour was a mix of wildlife spotting and spending time at the hot springs.
You might also enjoy:
- Ultimate Tofino Weekend Itinerary
- How to Visit the Magical Hot Springs Cove in Tofino BC
- Hiking to the Canso Plane Crash Site
- The Best Sunset Spot in Tofino: Cox Bay Lookout
- Things to do in Sooke
- 5 Unique Waterfalls on Vancouver Island That You Need to Visit
- 21 Best Views in Vancouver
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