Quick Tips

Best to phone the motel directly and ask for an upstairs, harbour-facing room with a kitchenette. These rooms are the closest thing to luxury, with stunning views of floatplanes and boats in Clayoquot Sound, right out your window. That’s a big bonus in an expensive town: most of your breakfast and lunch money gets saved there with the kitchenette.

Book your marine excursions for the earliest morning. That’s the best way to make the most of your time, whale watching/hot springs trip-conditions are often excellent for marine wildlife to be more active at that hour, ocean conditions calmer and you’ll run into fewer boats from other tour companies. Having a central location at the motel makes it easy for you to wake up, grab a coffee and take a leisurely 5-minute walk to your tour operator’s office.

Sample: Don’t forget to try and see the wonderful Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which is only a short drive from the motel. Park passes for use of the park’s beaches and trails can be purchased online or through kiosks within the park. A major highlight is the Rainforest Trail where visitors enjoy two amazing boardwalk loops through an ancient temperate rainforest with huge, moss-covered trees. Long Beach and Chesterman Beach, famous for beachcombing and surfing, are also within this park.

While the village has amazing food, don’t forget to check out what the village brewpub — Tofino Brewing Company can offer, which is just on the edge of town. There isn’t a better spot to enjoy a flight of superlative local craft beers than in a lively atmosphere, and with a food truck standing just outside. To really special occasion reserve far in advance for dinner at The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn. It’s a fine dining experience in a circular dining room with 240 degree views of crashing surf; iconic and unforgettable Tofino experience.