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British Columbia · Canada
The west coast of Vancouver Island: long surf beaches, temperate rainforest of giant trees and Pacific Rim National Park, between Tofino and Ucluelet.
In the photo: Rocky Pacific Rim coast, on Vancouver Island.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Tofino and Ucluelet are on the west coast of Vancouver Island, facing the open Pacific, at the end of a road that crosses the island’s mountains. Between the two villages, Pacific Rim National Park protects sandy beaches that stretch for several kilometers, such as Long Beach, rocky areas, tide pools and a temperate rainforest of huge cedars and firs.
The region is Canada’s main surf destination, with waves year-round and board rentals on the beaches. In winter, Pacific storms draw visitors who come to watch waves crash against the rocks. In spring, gray whales migrate along the coast, and humpbacks and orcas are commonly seen in summer.
Tofino, at the tip of a peninsula, is the liveliest village, with galleries, restaurants and boats to the bays and islands of Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, including the Hot Springs Cove thermal springs. Ucluelet, to the south, has the Wild Pacific Trail and the Amphitrite Lighthouse.
The region is part of the territory of the Nuu-chah-nulth nations, with communities and art present in the villages.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Tofino, Ucluelet.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Tofino/Long Beach Airport (YAZ) · 17 km to Tofino
Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ) receives regional flights from Vancouver. By car, it’s about 200 km from Nanaimo via Highway 4, with mountain sections; BC Ferries connects Vancouver to Nanaimo.
Suggested arrival point: Tofino
Village at the tip of a peninsula on Vancouver Island’s west coast, between surf beaches and Clayoquot Sound. It has galleries, seafood restaurants and the dock for boats to islands, whale tours and the Hot Springs Cove thermal springs. Long Beach, in Pacific Rim National Park, starts a few kilometers away.
A fishing village on the southern tip of the Pacific Rim peninsula, quieter than Tofino. It’s known for the Wild Pacific Trail, which follows the coastal rock shelves, and for the Amphitrite Lighthouse. The Kwisitis visitor centre of the national park is a few kilometres away, overlooking Wickaninnish Beach.
The local experience
A sandy beach of about 16 km in Pacific Rim National Park, between Tofino and Ucluelet, with surf waves, rocky areas and temperate forest behind it.
A coastal trail of about 10 km in sections along Ucluelet’s rock shore, with viewpoints over the Pacific, the Amphitrite Lighthouse and ancient cedars.
The Pacific Rim National Park visitor centre overlooking Wickaninnish Beach, with exhibits on Nuu-chah-nulth culture, the sea and the west-coast forest.
A sandy beach south of Tofino, with tide pools, Frank Island connected to the sand at low tide and surf suitable for beginners.
Natural hot springs that cascade down to the sea in Maquinna Provincial Park, about 40 km from Tofino, reachable only by boat or seaplane.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
June to September, when days are drier and milder and all services are open. The gray whale migration usually passes in March and April. November to February is storm season, with heavy rain and rough seas.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three days: one for the park’s beaches and trails, one for Tofino and a boat trip, and one for Ucluelet and the Wild Pacific Trail.
Tofino has hotels, inns and cabins in town and on the shores of Chesterman and Cox Bay. Ucluelet offers quieter lodging near the Wild Pacific Trail. In summer, book in advance.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Three days for the Pacific Rim beaches, a boat trip and Ucluelet.
Yes, with a wetsuit, because the water is cold. There are schools and board rentals on the beaches.
It helps, because the beaches are spread out along the road. There are buses between the villages part of the year and a bike path that links Tofino to the park.
Gray whales usually pass in March and April; humpbacks and orcas commonly appear from June to September.
Pacific Time, fixed year-round: UTC−7.
