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The small town of Tofino lies at the center of Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island’s Pacific coast, poised between the crashing surf of Pacific rollers and towering rainforests inland.
Recently designated British Columbia’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the surrounding Pacific Rim National Park is a naturalist’s paradise.
Annual gray whale migration
The annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival takes place in March and for the two months that follow nearly 20,000 gray whales pass within five kilometers of the shore on their migration north from Mexico.
Black bears forage along the shoreline in giant cedar and ancient Sitka spruce rainforests while eagles swoop overhead: magical hiking country.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to Tofino by contacting one of our Canada specialists
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617-223-4521617-223-4583
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Suggested itinerary featuring Tofino
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Tofino, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Tofino
- Vancouver Island 37 miles away
- Campbell River 68 miles away
- Northern Vancouver Island 72 miles away
- The Sunshine Coast & Desolation Sound 78 miles away
- Salt Spring Island 113 miles away
- Vancouver 126 miles away
- Victoria 126 miles away
- Port Hardy 130 miles away
- Whistler 148 miles away
- Bella Coola 227 miles away
- Naramata & Okanagan Valley 286 miles away
- Sun Peaks 293 miles away
- Princess Royal Island 293 miles away
Photos of Tofino
Our expert guides to exploring Tofino
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Tofino, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Tofino at its best.
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In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada
In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada
Canada is well-known for its wildlife, but the stars of the show are arguably its resident bears. These often solitary creatures can be difficult to find, but our Canada specialists can recommend intimate bear-watching experiences that allow you to see them in their natural habitat.
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Honeymoons in Canada Honeymoons in Canada
Honeymoons in Canada
Country specialist, Caroline, picks some of her top places to stay and things to do on honeymoon in Canada. Her highlights include where to spot Canada’s wildlife, taking a food tour in Vancouver, finding seclusion in the Rockies and staying on an authentic ranch.
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Family vacations to Canada Family vacations to Canada
Family vacations to Canada
Whether you’re visiting the east or the west, Canada offers a wealth of things to do for families, from helicopter rides over Niagara Falls to whale watching around Vancouver Island. Canada specialist Kayleigh outlines her ideas for a memorable family vacation in Canada.
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Highlights of Vancouver Island Highlights of Vancouver Island
Highlights of Vancouver Island
Canada specialist Jamie shares the best things to see and do on Vancouver Island. You could observe black and grizzly bears in temperate rainforests. Look for orcas on boat trips from Victoria. Or hike to secluded beaches in the remote north.
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Self-drive vacations in Canada Self-drive vacations in Canada
Self-drive vacations in Canada
Whether you choose a route circuiting western Canada’s renowned mountains, glaciers and lakes, or you’d rather go off-grid exploring the traditional fishing villages and coastal drives of the Maritimes, Canada’s well-maintained, easily navigable roads make it an excellent self-drive destination.
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Accommodation choices for Tofino
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Tofino. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Long Beach Lodge Resort
Tofino -
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Tofino -
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Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Wickaninnish Inn
Tofino
Ideas for experiencing Tofino
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Tofino, and which use the best local guides.
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Clayoquot Sound Black Bear Watching Clayoquot Sound Black Bear Watching
Clayoquot Sound Black Bear Watching
From April to October, it is possible to have an intimate black bear watching experience in the beautiful, calm water environment of the legendary Clayoquot Sound.
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