Our Favorite Tofino Hotels
Five-Star Resort: Long Beach Lodge
• Luxury resort: Seaside Point • Cheap Hotel: Motel Harborview
• Family Hotel: Pacific Sands
• Indoor Pool Amenities: Ocean Village Resort • With an outdoor pool: Black Rock
• Near Airport: Cox Bay
Table of Contents
The Best Area to Stay in Tofino
See Also
• Highly Recommended Lodgings in Tofino
The remote coastal town of Tofino on Vancouver Island has a unique atmosphere among west coast Canadian locales. Renowned as the surfing center of the nation, Tofino also offers access to exceptional shorelines, ancient forests, and various opportunities to experience nature.
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With world-class surfing amenities and waves breaking in every season, riding the waves in Tofino is a year-round activity (with a wet suit). Summer is the best time for novice surfers. Winter (December to March) is best for experienced surfers.
Tofino has some of the finest restaurants on Vancouver Island specializing in boat-to-table fresh seafood including wild Pacific Salmon. There are at least a dozen great restaurants in Tofino’s town center and many of the nearby luxury resorts boast top-notch dining paired with outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean.
The peak tourist season in Tofino runs from June to September. We advise making lodging reservations four to six months in advance for summer travel.
Visiting Tofino in Winter
Tofino has witnessed an upswing in winter tourism as storm watching increases in popularity. From November to March, winter storms churn up waves that can reach heights of 40 feet. On average, around ten storms happen per month during the winter season. If you`re planning a visit to Tofino in wintertime, the prime spots to experience the power of a winter storm are the upscale resorts along the Pacific Ocean. Some resorts provide complimentary rain gear like umbrellas, rain jackets, and rain pants. The Wickaninnish Inn also offers rain boots. It’s a particularly cost-effective time to go; winter hotel rates in Tofino can easily be half of what you’ll pay in the summer months.
Tofino Travel Tips
- The Tofino-Long Beach Airport lies midway between Tofino and Ucluelet, around 15 kilometers from Tofino`s town center. It is a compact and tranquil airport, hosting limited flights from Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle.
- From March through October, Harbour Air provides daily seaplane service from downtown Vancouver harbor to Tofino`s town center harbor. Connecting flights from Seattle harbor are also available at this time.
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- During the peak summer period, complimentary transportation is offered hourly among Tofino and Cox Bay – with numerous stops in between, through a public shuttle service.
- Bicycles provide a nice way to explore the local area as there are many rental options available. The recently constructed Pacific Rim Pathway stretches 26 miles from Tofino to Ucluelet through Pacific Rim National Park, stopping at highlights like the famous Long Beach and popular Rainforest Trail hiking route.
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The Best Places to Stay in Tofino
- Best Luxury Hotels in Tofino
Pacific Sands Beach Resort • Long Beach Lodge Resort • Black Rock Oceanfront Resort • Wickaninnish Inn - Best Boutique Hotels in Tofino
Duffin Cove Oceanfront Lodging • Reef Point Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast • A Snug Harbour Inn - Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels in Tofino
Bayshore Waterfront Inn – The Maq Hotel – Ocean Village Resort – Tofino Motel Harborview – Waters Edge Shoreside Suites
The 3 Best Areas around Tofino for Tourists
1. Tofino
Tofino has a relaxed atmosphere and is considered Canada’s Hawaii. Tofino’s town center is compact and easily walkable on foot with a variety of excellent restaurants, a handful of quality food trucks, several art galleries and gift shops, and numerous surf shops. It offers superb views of Tofino Inlet, Meares Island, and Clayoquot Sound, and there is a large children’s playground and grassy area in the center of town. Bikes can be a wonderful way to get around – especially during peak summer season, as on-street parking can be limited.
Hotels in Tofino’s town center are budget to mid-range, with views of the calm waters of Tofino’s Inlet and harbor. The town center is where you will find most of the eateries, cafes, coffeeshops, a sizable grocery, and the tour companies.
Tofino’s more upscale and secluded resorts are about a 5 minute south drive from Tofino by vehicle, boasting spectacular sandy beaches, breathtaking ocean views, and excellent surfing spots. Most of these high-end resorts have one or two restaurants on site.
- Best Hotels in Tofino
Cox Bay Beach Resort • Hotel phone: +1 250 725 2600
Duffin Cove Oceanfront Lodging can be reached at +1 250 725 3448
Long Beach Lodge Resort • Contact number for the hotel: +1 250 725 2442
Middle Beach Lodge • Hotel phone: +1 250 725 2900
Pacific Sands Beach Resort – Hotel phone: +1 250 725 3322
Wickaninnish Inn • Hotel contact number: +1 250 725 3100
The Tofino Resort & Marina Hotel contact number: +1 844 680 4184.
The hotel ” Hotel Zed” is located in Tofino. Its contact number is +1 250 725 2323. - Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
The The Maq Hotel hotel contact number is +1 250 266 4545.
Ocean Village Resort – Hotel phone: +1 866 725 3755
The Tofino Motel Harborview Hotel phone: +1 250 725 2055
Tofino’s premier luxury lodging for families is Pacific Sands Beach Resort with seaside suites, fully equipped kitchens, casual outdoor eatery Surfside Grill, and a complimentary Kid’s Club during the summer. Another excellent, and somewhat more affordable, family option is Ocean Village Resort with rustic seaside cabins, fully equipped kitchens, and a large indoor swimming pool (the only indoor pool in Tofino).
2. Ucluelet
Pronounced “Yoo-clue-let,” and regularly referred to as “Ukee” by locals, Ucluelet sits on the rugged coastline facing the Pacific Ocean, 20 miles south of Tofino. Ucluelet doesn`t have the surfer vibe like Tofino, but is instead a wonderfully charming, quiet fishing village where the sound of fog horns can be heard. Hotels are less expensive here than Tofino, and the area has fewer dining and entertainment options. A few pubs are located here, but if nightlife is what you`re seeking, Tofino is a better choice.
Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trail offers incredibly scenic views. Following the coastal path amid lush rainforest, it’s an easy and clearly marked trail dotted with seats to rest, and opportunities to spot whales. Ucluelet is also home to the Ucluelet Aquarium, a hit with kids – they love the touch pools! (Closed over winter.)
- Best Hotels in Ucluelet
- Karavaki: Beautiful, unique, and locally- and ethically-made home accessories, textiles, and jewelry, as well as decorative items. Open from April through October.
- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
Bayshore Waterfront Inn • Contact number for the hotel: +1 250 726 2337
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort – Hotel contact number: +1 877 266 2559
Reef Point Oceanfront B&B • Hotel phone: +1 250 266 0255
A Cozy Harbour Inn
3. Pacific Rim National Park
Located between the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet but closer to Tofino, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is home to some of the finest coastal landscapes and forest paths in the area. The most well-known beach within the Park is Long Beach extending over 10 miles in length. Dense woods hold enormous centuries-old cedar and hemlock trees. The walking routes are excellently maintained. The Park`s nine trails lead to a variety of beaches, viewpoints, and secluded coves. The routes are fairly uncomplicated, though most have wooden walkways and steps. There are also guided outings accessible. The top trails comprise Rainforest Trail, Schooner Cove Trail, and South Beach Trail Note: An entry permit is mandatory to utilize any of the coastlines or walking routes.
Pacific Rim National Park is composed of three separate sections. The section referred to in this article, located between Tofino and Ucluelet, is the Long Beach Unit. The other two areas, located beyond Ucluelet, are theWest Coast Trail and the Broken Group Islands. There are no hotels inside Pacific Rim National Park, yet tent cabins can be rented from May to October at Green Point Campground along Long Beach.
Best Beaches in Tofino
Tofino Beaches
Beaches in Tofino have level sandy beaches usually suitable for surfing. Campfires are prohibited on Tofino beaches but portable fire pits are allowed on two: Mackenzie Beach and Chesterman Beach.
- Tonquin Beach – The singular beach found within the town of Tofino, reachable via a path taking 10 to 15 minutes walk from the town center. Access is along a trail incorporating some boardwalks and wooden bridges (3 min walk).
Nearest Accommodations: Duffin Cove – The Maq - Mackenzie Beach – Close to Tofino town center, popular with families, as it is common to see children playing in the surf. It is also a great spot for stand-up paddle boarding and walking along the shoreline to discover seashells and other natural items washed ashore.
Nearest Accommodations: Ocean Village Resort • Best Western Plus Tin Wis - Middle Beach – This small picturesque beach is accessible only via a forest footpath near the Middle Beach Lodge. Note: vehicle access requires a gravel road from the main highway to Middle Beach Lodge.
- Chesterman Beach – Crescent-shaped and sheltered with sandy shores. At low tide, a sandbank emerges allowing you to traverse on foot to Frank Island for wonderful vistas of the complete beach and mountains in the distance. The sandbank splits the beach into North Chesterman and South Chesterman. The north beach draws beginning surfers due to larger waves, while the south beach caters more to families.
Nearest Accommodations: Wickaninnish Inn – Hotel Zed - Cox Bay – An ideal spot for surfing and bodyboarding with sandy beaches and larger waves gentle enough for children to play in.
- Gytheio: Gytheio is a lovely coastal town in the rugged Mani region. Its Mavrovouni Beach is a nesting area for endangered sea turtles and features a stranded ship. It’s approximately an hour and 15 minutes from Monemvasia by vehicle; accessible without a car on this private half-day guided tour.
- Long Beach – 10 miles in length, with level hard packed sand, located in Pacific Rim National Park. A great spot for surfing, beachcombing, walking, kite flying, and bodyboarding. The hard packed sand makes it possible to push a children’s stroller or ride a cycle bike. The nearest hotels to Long Beach are located at Cox Bay.
Ucluelet Beaches
The beaches in Ucluelet contain pebbles and rocks with no surf, providing an ideal spot for a relaxing bonfire on the shoreline, which are permitted across all beaches in the area.
- Big Beach – Rocky/sandy cove including a small picnic spot.
Nearest Hotels: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort - Little Beach – Pebbly and somewhat concealed beach at which historic Indigenous middens have been found.
Alternative Accommodations Nearby: Reef Point Oceanfront B&B • A Snug Harbour Inn - Terrace Beach – Small, secluded beach that’s good for tidepooling.
Nearest Lodgings: The Cottages at Terrace Beach • Terrace Beach Resort
