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Vancouver Island west coast, British Columbia
Tofino and Ucluelet
The end of the road on Vancouver Island's wild west coast: long surf beaches in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, rainforest boardwalks, whales and hot springs by boat, and storm season in winter.
Photo: Sunset at Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Davidwegan, CC BY-SA 4.0
This is the end of the road on Vancouver Island's wild west coast. Tofino sits at the tip of the Esowista Peninsula in Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO biosphere region. Long Beach and the other beaches of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve stretch south toward Ucluelet.
Rainforest trails wind among giant cedars. Boats and floatplanes leave the harbour for whale watching and the natural hot springs at Hot Springs Cove. Be adventurous, and pack a rain jacket.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
A cliff-top trail along the open Pacific, past the Amphitrite Point lighthouse.
Cheap
Rainforest Trail
Two boardwalk loops through old-growth forest in the park reserve.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Roy Henry Vickers Gallery
The artist's gallery in a longhouse-style building in town.
Cheap
Kwisitis Visitor Centre
The park reserve's visitor centre at the end of Long Beach, with Nuu-chah-nulth exhibits.
Paid
Tofino Botanical Gardens
Gardens and forest trails on the edge of the inlet.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Whale watching from Tofino
Boat trips to see grey and humpback whales.
Season Whale watching roughly March–Oct (check before you go).
Hot Springs Cove day trip
Boat or floatplane to natural hot springs in Maquinna Marine Park.
Surf lessons
Lessons and rentals on Tofino's beaches.
Part of our Vancouver Island guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- It's a long drive across the island, so you'll want more than a day.
- Sunset on Chesterman or Long Beach is the evening ritual.
- Whale-watching and hot-springs trips each take most of a day.
Nearby and worth the drive
Victoriaabout 4 h 30 · Guide ↗
BC's capital at the south end of the island.
Uclueletabout 30 min
The Wild Pacific Trail and a lighthouse.
Ready-made trips with Tofino and Ucluelet
Good to know
- Park pass: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve requires a Parks Canada pass: parks.canada.ca/pacificrim.
- Ocean safety: Rip currents and logs in the surf are dangerous. Never turn your back on the waves.
- Tourism: tourismtofino.com.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Sunset at Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Davidwegan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chesterman Beach, Colin W, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Floatplanes in Tofino harbour, গীতাশ্ৰী গগৈ আপ্তে, CC0
Photo: Surfers at Chesterman Beach, Shaundd, CC BY-SA 3.0