Summary
Tofino is a small Canadian surf town located on the west side of Vancouver Island, in the province of British Columbia. While Canada’s west coast is obviously better known for its Rockies and ski resorts, it also has some amazing waves and surfing potential.
Over winter, Tofino is very quiet and almost only locals hit the surf which can tend to be big and stormy. Most tourists actually come to Tofino in winter for the sole purpose of storm watching. However, during summer, it becomes a tourist hotspot and a great place to meet young surfers. The main thing that attracts people here is surfing and hanging in a true Canadian piece of paradise.
Tofino, a vibrant summer surf town
The summer swells are very gentle and beginner-friendly while fall and winter conditions become way more challenging and should only be tackled by experienced surfers. Also, pretty much all the surf spots here are beach breaks making it another good reason for beginners to come spend a summer and play in the Pacific Ocean.
The Island of Vancouver is gifted with incredible natural beauty and any lover of the great outdoors will fall in love with this place. You may even spot some bears, cougars, whales, seals and wolves!
When to surf in Tofino
The absolute best time to surf in Tofino, Canada is from September to November while the water is not freezing cold yet, but waves start picking up in size and consistency. The summer crowds is gone for the most part and you still have quite a bit of daylight in the evening.
Winter in Tofino will obviously be bigger in size as the same storms that push huge swells into Hawaii travel all the way to the other side of the Pacific and hit the Canadian coastline. The climate is not as enjoyable as most days are cloudy, rainy and chilly. It is worth noting that unlike the rest of Canada, temperatures rarely fall below freezing point on Vancouver Island.
For beginners and long boarders, the best time to surf Tofino is in summer, from May to September, while waves are smaller, weather is more pleasant and the town gets nice and lively.
January-February March-April May-June July-August September-October November-December
Suitable for: Intermediate
AdvancedIntermediate
AdvancedAll surfers All surfers Intermediate
AdvancedIntermediate
Advanced
Air temperature 5°C
41°F6°C
43°F11°C
52°F17°C
63°F15°C
59°F8°C
46°F
Water temperature 9°C
48°F9°C
48°F12°C
54°F15°C
59°F14°C
57°F11°C
52°F
Crowd Empty Empty Few people Fairly crowded Few people Empty
Swell consistency 95% 90% 75% 60% 90% 75%
Swell height 12ft 10ft 6ft 5ft 8ft 12ft
Where to stay in Tofino
Tofino is a small town that tends to get extremely busy in the summer months, making it hard to find last minute accommodation. If you are planning on visiting Tofino from June to August, make sure to book well in advance. In Tofino, you will not find any big resorts. Most hotels are nice and cozy, some of them offering great sea views.
Keed in mind that Tofino is fairly strict with “van lifers” and people camping around in prohibited areas. There is a dedicated logging road, near the information center, at the junction between Ucluelet and Tofino, which is where all van lifers can safely stay overnight.
Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Tofino!
Best vacation rentals in Tofino
The Anchorage, Perfect Waterfront Suite (2 guests)
Dunes Cabin at Chesterman Beach (4 guests)
Oceanfront Rancher in Tofino (6 guests)
Best hotels and resorts in Tofino
Best Value : Hotel Zed, a brand new establishment near Tofino and surf spots! Tofino Hotel Harborview, great location at an affordable price.
High-end : Cox Bay Beach Resort has probably the best location out of every Tofino hotels…Right on Cox Bay! Pacific Sands Beach Resort is another great option with an amazing service and great rooms.
Surf spots in Tofino
Cox Bay
A beautiful bay catching anything from southwest to northwest and offers a nice surfing setup across the whole bay. Beginners can find their fun on the inside wash while advanced surfers can head to either end of the beach for more consistent breaks. Cox Bay is one of the most consistent surf spot in Tofino and can handle large crowds as it often breaks on the whole beach.
Bottom : Sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SW to NW
Optimal wind direction : E
Long Beach
A bit further away from Tofino, almost half way to Ucluelet, Long beach is a perfect place for beginners to learn how to surf over the summer months. In winter, Long Beach is quite exposed which makes things fairly tricky. Long Beach is part of the Pacific Rim National Park so be prepared for paid parking when you surf this spot.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : W
Optimal wind direction : NE
Chesterman South
This side of Chesterman beach is often more sheltered from big NW swells which makes this spot a nice place for long boarders or beginners. When waves get too big for Cox Bay, most surfers check out Chesterman as a smaller option.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : W
Optimal wind direction : E
Chesterman North
Slightly more exposed than Chesterman South, but less than Cox Bay, this spot is another good option to check for a typical Vancouver Island beach break. It is also one of the go to spots during the winter months when Cox Bay is closing out.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SW
Optimal wind direction : E
Getting there
The best way to get to Tofino is to drive across beautiful Vancouver Island from either Nanaimo or Victoria. Ferries between those two cities and the mainland on a daily basis and the ride is a couple hours long. If you have a car, you will have to pay about 100-200 dollars for a one way ticket. If you are only by foot and are looking to grab the bus, it will be much cheaper.
There are a few international flights that land in Victoria but the biggest airport is in Vancouver, from which you will have to take a ferry. Driving to Tofino will take you about 2 hours and a half from Nanaimo and almost twice as much time from Victoria. You can also take the bus from both cities and arrive right in Tofino town center.
Safety/things to know
-Water in Tofino is cold even through the summer months. A good wet suit is needed all year long.
-Canada has a Working Holiday program for young travelers that allows you to work and stay in Canada for up to two years. This is probably the best way to discover Tofino and the rest of the Country on a long-term trip.