Tofino Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals in Tofino are typically beach houses or cabins with incredible views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. These will suit a variety of travellers, whether you're visiting as a couple, with friends, or a family group. Your vacation home will provide everything you need to experience the best of this popular coastal destination.

Where to Find the Best Seafood in Tofino?

The Wildside Grill is a cozy takeout place with a few picnic tables in front. Wildside is known for its fresh ingredients, as one of the owners is a commercial fisherman. Wildside Grill has its pick of some of the finest seafood on Vancouver Island, and sources many of its ingredients locally. The most popular dish is the fish taco, made with deep-fried cod and served with a side of fries.

Head to the Crab Lady, a small shop near the entrance to Tofino. The owner's sons are crab fisherman who sell their catch directly to the public and suppliers at this store. Pick up a few crabs and take them back to your Tofino beach house for a delicious dinner.

After a long day of surfing, you can head down to the famous Tacofino food truck, serving up delicious California and Mexican inspired dishes. Originally starting in Tofino, more Tacofino food trucks are popping up all over the West Coast and are known for serving the best fish tacos!

Redcan Gourmet Ltd is a stunning concept kitchen in downtown Tofino where you can challenge the chefs. Micro menus mean that all dishes are incredibly fresh and seasonal. Tuck into seafood along with thin crust pizzas.

Museums and Attractions in Tofino

The Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum houses permanent exhibits that describe the history of the area over the last 10,000 years. Topics represented include glaciers, the history of fishing, Japanese-Canadian history, the fur trade, and the development of Tofino. The display space is often used to bring traveling exhibits to the area, so check their website for details.

Go to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and discover the culture of the local First Nations peoples at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre. Open during the summer, the centre offers two floors of exhibits that showcase the history and culture of the region. The exhibits include a replica of a traditional whale hunt, audio of First Nations stories, and a film that discusses the history of the coastline.

Whale-watching and Wildlife in Tofino

Take the whole family on a whale watching adventure on the waters of Clayoquot Sound surrounding Tofino. Enjoy the scenic coastline on a guided boat trip as you look for whales and other marine life. Gray whales, orcas, and humpback whales are often seen in Clayoquot Sound. Children will love watching these magnificent creatures spout, breech, and feed, all from the safety of your boat.

Bear watching is another popular tour for families in Tofino. The best times or bear watching are late spring until early October. There are a number of tour operators in town that specialize in these trips. The bear watching trip is ideal for younger children and those sensitive to ocean waves, as the boat stays in the shallows closer to land. You're likely to see black bears roaming the shoreline in search of crabs and fish, as the area around Tofino is home to a large population of these animals.

Outdoor Action: Hiking and Surfing in Tofino

Tofino is known as one of the best surfing spots in Canada. The biggest waves occur in winter, but surfing is a year-round sport in the area. You can learn to surf at one of a number of surf schools in the area. These schools rent out equipment and offer private or group lessons.

Hike amongst the giants on one of the many hiking trails running through the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve that surrounds Tofino. There are a range of trails available to suit all ability levels. Try the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island, only 3km in length and suitable for beginners. The trail ends at the 2,000-year-old Hanging Garden Tree, boasting a trunk diameter of 18m.

Experience local festivals in Tofino

The Tofino Food and Wine Festival takes place over a weekend in early June each year. The festival brings together over 20 chefs, 75 wineries, and 20 breweries to celebrate the food and wine of Vancouver Island. Drink and eat with the locals, while enjoying live music and the beautiful forest setting of the Tofino Botanical Gardens.

Join the fun at the Pacific Rim Summer Festival, held over a full week in late June to early July. The festival offers live musical entertainment for the whole family, celebrations of indigenous culture, a kids art zone, and free performances on Canada Day. Browse through the displays of art by local artists and enjoy delicious food by local chefs and artisan producers.

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