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The small town of Tofino lies at the centre 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 grey whale migration

Whale Watching, British ColumbiaThe annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival takes place in March and for the two months that follow nearly 20,000 grey whales pass within five kilometres 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.

Speak to someone
who's been there
Audley Travel specialist Anna

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Tofino by contacting one of our Canada specialists

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.

Map of Tofino

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near 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.

    • In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada
      Grizzly bear, British Columbia

      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.

      11 min read

      Read this guide
    • Honeymoons in Canada
      Lake Louise

      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.

      11 min read

      Read this guide
    • Family holidays to Canada
      Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

      Family holidays to Canada

      Family holidays 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 holiday in Canada.

      10 min read

      Read this guide
    • Highlights of Vancouver Island
      A pod of orca off 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.

      7 min read

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    • Self-drive holidays in Canada
      Jasper National Park

      Self-drive holidays in Canada

      Self-drive holidays 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.

      7 min read

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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.

    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.

    • Clayoquot Sound Black Bear Watching
      Black bear family, Tofino

      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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