Tofino, Canada - We Love to Surf!

Tofino is located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, at the end of the Trans-Canada Highway. Yes, we are at the end of the road and for a lot of us, that's why we're here: You have to want to come here, it's not a drive by. And you have to make an effort just to get here: planes, ferries, twisty roads, rain, sleet and sometimes snow - but not in October so don't worry.

You can fly directly to Tofino from Vancouver or Victoria. Arriving in the main terminal in Vancouver, you hop on a bus to South Terminal and board a small plane for Tofino. The flight to Tofino from Vancouver, or Victoria, takes about an hour and the scenery is magnificent! You land at the Tofino Airport which is just out of town.

You'll need a drive from the airport to your accommodations. There are no car rentals in Tofino now, they are closed for the season. But, there is a Tofino taxi service.

For more information check GoTofino.com Getting Here page.
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Driving to Tofino from Vancouver or Victoria is a great way to experience the trip.

From Vancouver airport, one would drive to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, board the ferry for an hour and a half to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From Nanaimo it is a three hour drive to Tofino.

From Victoria it is a straight five hour drive to Tofino: two hours up island to Nanaimo and then across to Tofino.

Be sure to check your gas in Port Alberni (one hour out of Nanaimo and two hours from Tofino) because it's scenic wilderness with no gas stations until Tofino. The highway to Port Alberni is pretty straight forward. The road from Port to Tofino is curvy and narrows in places so be sure to slow down and get here safely.

For more information check GoTofino.com Getting Here page.
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Tofino Bus offers two daily buses from Nanaimo and Victoria. Find their schedule here. Or, give them a call at 1.866.986.3466 (local 250.725.2871) to reserve your bus ticket by phone.

Tofino Cold Water Classic Accommodation Specials

Tofino House: 10% Discount for the dates October 11-15, 2010
A centrally located, new, harbour view home perfect for families or groups. The vacation suite offers three bedrooms, a spacious open kitchen/dining area, comfy leather couches, plasma TV, cable and internet. Walking distance to the village shops and restaurants, beautiful views, heated floors, sleeps six-ten adults. $200-$550 per night. Tofino House 644 Neilson Place, Tofino, BC
Learn more about Tofino House.

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MacKenzie Beach Lodge: "Just For You" Specials October 9 & 15, 2010
Pool Suites 14 & 15: Only $109.00/night based on double occupancy.
One Bedroom Cottage From $149.00 per night (double occupancy).
Ocean view Suite. From $99.00 per night (double occupancy)
Learn more about Tofino Resorts.

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Tofino is full of accommodations. Everything is very close here and you can usually walk or bike wherever you want to go. If you have a vehicle, it's just a short hop in your car. We usually ride our bikes to the beaches to surf and use that ten minute ride as a warm-up - it is a bit chilly here.

GoTofino.com offers a selection of the best accommodations in Tofino. From cabins to luxurious houses, B&B's to Resorts and Hostels to Private Suites, you'll be sure to find the accommodation that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Find the GoTofino.com Where To Stay Page here.
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Ocean Village Beach Resort on MacKenzie Beach
If you are looking for roomy accommodations that is close to everything in Tofino, and at an affordable price, Ocean Village Beach Resort is the place. Located on quiet MacKenzie Beach, the resort offers one and two bedroom cabins with ocean views. If you are looking for an accommodation, central to the surf beaches and the village, with lots of space, wireless internet, and a hot tub, Ocean Beach Resort is your first choice.

Find the Ocean Village Beach Resort here.

The Dolphin Motel
The closest small motel to Chesterman Beach, The Dolphin Motel is a favourite for people who want to have a big, clean space close to Chesterman and neighbourhood shops. Probably one of the most affordable accommodations in Tofino, the Dolphin is family run and everyone really likes it. If you want to be close to the beach, close to shops, have wireless internet and be on the bike path without it costing a lot, check into The Dolphin. You'll like it too!

Find the The Dolphin Motel here.

And we're not just surfers in Tofino. We offer a lot of other great activities: whale and bear watching, fishing, kayaking, boat charters, hiking, skateboarding, interpretive centres and more. There is always something happening in Tofino so be sure to check the events before you come: music, book readings, yoga, and community fun.

Find What to Do and all The Local Events at GoTofino.com - Tofino Premier Website.
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Need more wax, forget something? Head over to Live To Surf for surf supplies.

Check Live To Surf Here.
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Food in Tofino is good, really good. Restaurants and cafés here use fresh, often organic ingredients and they have a sense of responsibility to the planet in their use of resources. We frequent two places all the time.

Breakers
Breakers offers possibly the best lunch. And if you're a specialty eater, like the vegans here at GoTofino, they accommodate your food restrictions with a smile. Burritos, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, deserts galore, breads - you want it, Breakers has it. Eat inside or out on the front seating and watch Tofino go by. It's a pretty slow pace here with Tofino Time so you won't miss a thing.
Find out everything that Breakers offers here.

SoBo
Sophisticated Bohemian sums up SoBo. Starting in a truck, this restaurant is a favourite for snacks and dinners. People rave about the fish taco, but of course we always get the vegan version and it's sure delicious! Locals love SoBo and we know one who eats there every day. Great food, a find wine list and good local beer - no wonder when it's where are we going for dinner - the answer is always SoBo.
Find out more about SoBo here.

Salty Dolls Hair Salon

Need a trim to keep that hair tucked into your hood? Jessica Taylor at Salty Dolls is where GoTofino goes to get their style. Jess is the best in Tofino for hair cuts. She'll cut your hair into a style that suits you and show you how to keep it looking it's best. Guys and dolls of Tofino get their hair cut here.

Find more information about Salty Dolls Hair Salon here.

Find Magic Seaweed's take on Cox Bay Surf Conditions here or Chesterman Beach Surf

Weather is always something people ask about in Tofino. We are located in a temperate rain forest which means that the temperature doesn't get really cold (compared to the rest of Canada) but with the rain and water in the air it can sure get into your bones and make you think you were in true Canadian Winter.

In the cold months, you'll want to wear a warm wetsuit with a hood in the water - a 5/4 or 6/5 for those really cold days - with boots and gloves. Summer brings warmer weather and usually a return to 4/3, but we've noticed a lot of hoods on this summer - one can only take so many of those ice cream heads. To be sure, some of us wear our 5/4 winter suits and boots all the time, just leaving our gloves at home. We'd rather be too hot than the reverse.

Around town, people tend towards the layered look. Lots of rustling of gore-tex, over fleece. Thick wool sweaters can get a bit too hot, but wool is sure great for your feet to keep them toasty. And rubber boots, whether deck boots, gum rubbers or designer boots are a staple of our style. Rain-proof garments are a must - sometimes it pours, but sometimes it's those Irish soft days, where it's just a day long mist that seeps in without you really noticing it. Mostly, it's the wet you have to dress for: with the temperature above freezing you can stay warm without a lot of clothes as long as you're dry - and you keep moving!