TOFINO

Let’s talk about Tofino. You see, I haven’t been back to Tofino since I was about 10 years old. It’s been far too long and since I was traveling so much internationally pre-COVID, it just never made sense to me why I would want to travel within British Columbia for 6 hours when I could travel and cross borders. Well, since traveling is severely limited now, I’ll take this as an opportunity to re-explore some destinations that I had previously dismissed.

So, Tofino! Everyone is obsessed with this place. It’s a bit of a trek to get out there (~6 hours) which includes the ferry ride and the drive along Hwy 4. Because I hadn't visited the island in nearly two decades, I wanted to stop everywhere along the way.

Hwy 4 is completely scenic. It passes through from Port Alberni and over and across many lakes and overgrown forests. It is the only way to get to Tofino and Ucluelet so be sure to check the road conditions prior to you departing as the highway has frequent closures and maintenance. (True story, this happened to us and our AirBnB was nice enough to have let us known the day before we had left!).

There are so many beautiful spots along the way including Cathedral Grove, Qualicum Falls, Kennedy Lake and Sproat Lake. I would honestly urge you to take the time to stop and take a nature break. It’s a long, scenic drive over to Tofino and it’s always great to step out and stretch your legs! We drove straight all the way back and definitely felt the tiredness of it all. Plus, it’s not always about the destination - it’s about the journey too, right?

Once you’re in Tofino, try not to get swept away by the gorgeous waves. Or perhaps the amazing tacos at the original Tacofino. Or the most tantalizing dinner ever at the Wick. It’s so easy to get lost amongst the beauty of the place. I can totally understand why everyone is mesmerized by this place. It’s another amazing city break where you are surrounded by nature. I had so much fun checking out and chilling by all of the beaches, not to mention spending time in our cozy little cabin in the woods. Breathtaking.

We rented an AirBnB while we were there and it was the perfect place for us. It was geographically located just across the famous Wickaninnish Inn and location-wise, was a great fit for us. Close by to centre of town, in the midst of the beaches and hikes, just across the highway from the legendary Chesterman Beach, and a mere 10 minute drive from anything.

Our most recent visit was in mid-February where we had the best mix of sun, cloud and storms. I would highly recommend visiting during this time or perhaps late winter or sometime in the fall to take advantage to witness the storms there. Although we had the best vantage point in watching the storms from Ucluelet as we were leaving the island, I would suspect any spot along Chesterman, Long or Cox Bay Beaches would be excellent viewpoints.

Know before you go:

Check the roads! As said, Hwy 4 is the only route that goes to Tofino. Make sure there are no road closures or blockages to delay your trip.
What’s the weather? Be sure to check the weather before you go to benefit from the breathtaking storms you can only watch from this side of the island. It’s also a great idea to bring a pair of Wellingtons and a nice little shell jacket as weather changes rapidly over there.

Getting around Tofino:

Car - There’s no working around this: you will need a car in Tofino to get anywhere. I mean you can technically fly into Tofino but taxis and busses are far and few. Drive yourself there so you’ll have the freedom to roam around as you please.

What to see in Tofino:

Beach it - So many great beaches to choose from! Chesterman is the longest and the most well-known beach there is over there. I also happened to enjoy my time at Long Beach and Cox Bay Beach as well. If you are into surfing, then surfs up! I think I’m the only person out of my friends that doesn’t go surfing, ha! Tonqin Beach was my favourite little gem that you need a (minor) hike to.
Trail it - Cute little trails are available in Tofino and along the scenic drive to get there. Upper and Lower Qualicum Falls and Cathedral Grove were my favourites on the way to Tofino. In Tofino, the Tonquin Trail that leads up to Tonquin Beach is not to be missed. It’s a quiet little oasis and probably my favourite part of the entire island.
Take it slow - You’re away from the city and in nature - why not enjoy it? I had so many great slow mornings here on the island. Absolutely incredible sipping your coffee and watching the waves go by.
Check out Ucluelet - Bored of Tofino (who would be?) and or have already explored the entire island? Head down to Ucluelet and watch the storms. I would highly recommend watching from the Wild Pacific Trail.

What to eat and drink in Tofino:

The Pointe at the Wickaninnish Inn - Best meal in Tofino, hands down. If you feel like dressing up, this is the place you’d want to go. Elevated dining without the pretentiousness. Go for the sablefish. And the scallops. And basically everything. It was perfection.
Wolf and the Fog - Loved the food here! The braised beef short ribs was an absolute treat and all of the food we had was well-executed. Octopus was also nicely done as well. Casual and cool environment.
Tacofino - The ORIGINAL food truck! Sure, we have Tacofino all over Vancouver in the Lower Mainland but it’s nice to see where its roots originated from. Plus, they have some items here that don’t have on the original menu. Get the gringa - you won’t regret it!
Tofitian Cafe - It’s in the same complex as Tacofino and the coffee here is awesome. Don’t skip this spot. Better yet, grab a coffee here while you wait for your tacos!
Tofino Distillery - Yes, Tofino has a micro distillery here. And their infused spirits are delicious and well-made. They also have miniature cocktails featuring their premium spirits as well which is not to be missed.
Tofino Brewing - Great brews on tap, awesome room, made some new friends at our communal table. We very much enjoyed our time here. Plus, they have small little snacks here too if you’re feeling peckish!
Shelter Restaurant - Another cute restaurant here with an awesome patio and decent food menu. Service was unpretentious and it felt like you were hanging out with your best friend. Great for a night cap as they are one of the only places open “late” on the island!
Shed - Looking for some feel good food post-surf? While the food here isn’t outstanding, the vibes are completely chill here and they serve some great comfort food.
Ucluelet Brewing Company - Okay, this isn’t in Tofino but I don’t have enough to write on Ucluelet and it’s only a 30-minute drive away from Tofino! Their beers and food are AWESOME here. We stopped by on our way home freezing from storm watching outside. Their tuna melt and Irish stew were seriously out of this world and were washed down with the beer flight that we had.

All in all, I would have to say that Tofino is a magical place. It’s the epitome of the Pacific Northwest. I can’t wait to return back to this dreamy place again and do the things I have yet to complete on my bucket list. Until next time.

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