 The port of Tofino overlooks Clayoquot Sound | ||
| Tofino | ||
| province | British Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1,932 (as of 2016) | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| Tourist info web | http://tofino.ca/home | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Tofino is a small town on the island Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
background
Tofino is located in the west of Vancouver Island and is the most touristically developed place in this part of Vancouver Island. Originally a remote supply post, it was discovered as a destination for dropouts. Meanwhile, Tofino is best known for its surfing scene and as a starting point for hikes in the Pacific Rim National Park[1]. Tofino is committed to ecotourism, so there are only smaller (high-priced) accommodations.
getting there
Since Tofino is located on an island, you can only travel from further on by ferry or plane. There is a good ferry connection from Vancouver to Nanaimo.
By plane
Tofino has a little one Airport[2], which is about 11 kilometers southeast. The airport is served several times a day from Vancouver, including by Pacific Costal and KD Air.
There is also the option of using the Seaplane fly from Vancouver to Tofino. The flight takes about an hour and the seaplane lands right in the port of Tofino. The airline is called Harbor Air[3], and offers a flight once a day. A one-way flight from Vancouver to Tofino costs around C $ 300. At first glance, this seems quite expensive, but it saves time and you get a sightseeing flight over the island at the same time.
By train
There are no train connections to Tofino.
By bus
There are various bus connections to Tofino. Most bus routes start in Victoria and go to Tofino via Nanaimo. Travel time from Victoria approx. 5-6 hours, costs approx. 30 to 60C $ (one way). Common providers are Tofino Bus [4] and greyhound [5]. From Vancouver Tofino can be reached by bus. The journey time is approx. 7.5 hours (fare with Greyhound: approx. 67C $ (one way).
In the street
Only one road connects Tofino with the rest of the island: the "Pacific Rim Highway" (or BC Hwy 4). The road is well developed, although the large number of motorhomes slow down the traffic even during the high season. At the moment (as of July 2018) there is a large construction site with block handling (delay: approx. 20 minutes). The travel time from Nanaimo is approx. 3 hours (207 km), from Victoria approx. 4.5 hours (317 km). If you want to travel from Vancouver, you have to take a ferry to Nanaimo.
mobility
In the center of Tofino everything is within easy walking distance. The beaches (including Long Beach) are sometimes several kilometers from the town center. It is therefore advisable to rent a bike (there are rental companies everywhere in town), or to take the free shuttle bus that runs during the day and leaves the Pacific Rim Highway.
Tourist Attractions
Tofino is best known for the Pacific Rim National Park and for its good surfing opportunities. Also exploration trips through the spectacular Clayoquot Sound with its many islands and rugged coastline are ideal. Tofino is also great for wildlife viewing. Various providers who offer whale or bear watching are represented in Tofino. A particularly beautiful beach is Long Beach (17 km south of Tofino).
activities
Due to its location on the water and the mountains, Tofino offers a wide range of leisure activities. Various water sports such as kayaking or surfing are possible. You can also surf the rough Pacific beaches (including Long Beach). The sea is too cold to swim, except in a wetsuit. The species-rich fauna around Tofino (black bears, gray and killer whales, bald eagles, seals, etc.) also invites you to observe animals. There are also many hiking routes of all levels of difficulty in the Pacific Rim National Park. In winter it is much quieter in Tofino, at this time of year you can watch the sometimes very rough Pacific storms. This time (between November and February) is also known as the "storm season" and the accommodation is much cheaper.
Wildlife viewing
- Jamie's Whaling Station, 606 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada. Tel.: 1-800-667-9913. Organizer who offers whale and bear tours. Nice guides, as well as guided tours in smaller boats possible.
surfing
- Surf Sister (625 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada). Tel.: 1 250-725-4456. Open: 7 days a week, 8.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
shop
Tofino is very remote. The next larger city, Port Alberni, is 126 (!) Kilometers away (driving time approx. 2 hours). It is therefore advisable to replenish your supplies there, as there is only one supermarket (Co-Op the Marketplace) in Tofino and the price level is therefore very high, as well as a post office, a police station and two petrol stations.
- BC Liquore Stores (328 Neill St Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0). Tel.: 1 250-725-3722. Liquor store that sells beer, wine, etc.
- Co-op food store, 140 1 St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada. Tel.: 1 250-725-3226. The Tofino supermarket. Tools, gas bottles, fishing accessories, etc. are also sold.
- CIBC Banking Center, 301 Campbell Street, Box 91 Tofino, BC V0R2Z0. Tel.: 1 (250)725-3321. Bank with ATM.
kitchen
There are a few restaurants in Tofino, with everything from sushi bars to pizzerias and seafood restaurants. The restaurants are mainly to be classified in the middle to high category. In general, the price level in Tofino (presumably due to the exposed location) is very high, there are hardly any cheap restaurants. Even a pizza in a snack bar costs around 16-20 C $ (!) To book.
Cheap
- Tofino pizza, 131 1 St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada. Tel.: 1 250-725-2121. Open: Daily, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
medium
- The Hatch Waterfront Pub, 634 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada. Tel.: 1 250-726-6122. Stylish pub located on the harbor with a beautiful view over Clayoquot Sound. In terms of price, the dishes are okay, good beer selection. Affiliated is the 1909 Kitchen, an upscale restaurant.Open: Daily, 11 a.m. - midnight.
Upscale
- The shelter, 601 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada. Tel.: 1 250-725-3353. Upscale restaurant with a large selection of fish and meat dishes. Highly priced, drink prices as far as moderate.Open: Daily from 11 a.m. to midnight.
nightlife
Tofino is a quiet place, so there are no clubs or discos there. There are also no pubs or bars with a "party atmosphere" there. Most bars close at midnight.
accommodation
The prices for accommodation, especially in the high season (July to August) are very high. At this time it is almost impossible to find a double room for less than C $ 150. Due to the manageable number of hotels and pensions, the rooms are already booked out in advance. So always book in advance!
Cheap
- Whalers on the Point Guesthouse, 81 West St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada. Tel.: 1 855 725 3443. Small hostel with dormitories and (a few) private rooms.
medium
Upscale
Work
security
Tofino is very safe. Violent crime is unknown there. However, nature should not be underestimated here. There are black bears and wolves in the woods, which are best avoided. If you set out on longer hikes, it is advisable to leave the hiking route and approximate return time at the accommodation. You should also be careful when surfing in the Pacific because of the high waves, strong currents and cold water. It should also be noted that most beaches are not supervised by lifeguards.
health
Due to its remote location, medical care in Tofino cannot be compared with that in more densely populated regions. But there is a smaller hospital:
Practical advice
trips
- Ucluelet (40 km, or 37 minutes drive south of Tofino): Small fishing village that, like Tofino, is committed to ecotourism. Ucluelet is a bit smaller than Tofino and not yet as well developed for tourism. Nevertheless, there are some accommodations and restaurants there.
- Clayoquot Plateau Provincial Park[[6]] (45 km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes by car east of Tofino): Natural park on a plateau above Clayoquot Sound. Access to the park is very difficult and there is no proper system of hiking trails, but the view over the sound is spectacular. There are also karst landscapes and unspoilt forests to marvel at.
- Kennedy Lake[7](40 km or 35 minutes drive southeast of Tofino): Kennedy Lake is the largest lake on Vancouver Island. The landscape around the lake is impressive and there is a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as kayaking and fishing.
