Tofino is one of my favourite places to visit. The best part is, there’s no bad season to go!!! The waves are great year round and the town is just as amazing in the storm season as it is in the summer. Depending on what you like to do i.e.: hunker down inside with loved ones or go outside and explore, there’s something for everyone. This time around, we decided to go for a family trip to fully relax and reset before the Christmas season! It was so nice to not have an agenda, sleep in, have coffee in bed, stroll the beaches, unwind, detox and breathe in some fresh sea air. It was exactly what the doctor ordered! Whether or not you decide to go in the winter or summer I have made a travel guide below of my favourite things to do, where to eat and where to stay. But before you take off, make sure to get the Upgraded Points package to get some sweet deals.
What to do:
- Surf – I’m not much of a surfer but if you are … you definitely need to go!!! They have awesome lessons for beginners and great waves for all you pro’s. The water is a wee bit too cold for me!!!
- Walk the beaches – They have so many gorgeous beaches that go on and on and on … you could literally walk all day if you wanted!!! My faves are Cox Bay, Long Beach, and Chestermans Beach.
- Go to the Spa – if you have a few spare hours in your day, this is a definite must to relax and great for a couples getaway!
- Take a Fishing or Whale Watching Charter – we didn’t do this, this time as it’s not available in the winter. If you go in the summer you should definitely slot in some time for this!
- Go to Tofino Brewing Co – if you like beer it’s fun to try their “flight” of beers and take some to go in a growler!
- Check out the local shops – They have lots of cute artisan shops, boutiques and surf shops. Some of my favs are Habit and Storm.
- Walk through the rain forest
Where to Stay:
- Pacific Sands Beach Resort!!! We rented the cabin called the Sunset House at Rosie Bay and it was more than amazing. It comfortably sleeps 10 and we only had 4 … there is A LOT of room for fun in that house!!! The view of the sunset definitely lived up to it’s name and waking up to the sound of waves was so relaxing. It was cozy and perfect for spending quality time with loved ones. Not to mention, the breakfast in bed was the cherry on top. I will definitely be staying here again and recommend it for any larger groups or families.
Where to Eat:
- Wolf In The Fog – for breakfast, lunch or dinner this place is by far my fav! They use all local and fresh ingredients and the atmosphere is so cozy.
- Shelter Restaurant – fun, laid back, relaxing spot for dinner with great food and drinks.
- Tacofino – the best taco’s from an adorable food truck
- Sobo – fresh food from here and there with a relaxed and local atmosphere
If you need more information feel free to drop me a line in the comments below!!
xo
Jilly
Looks beautiful
We’re considering Tofino for our honeymoon in June 2017. Any tips for a romantic, cozy place to stay near the water? What about other things to do nearby on the island? Thanks! 🙂
My husband & I went to Tofino for our honeymoon, we stayed at The Wickaninnish Inn on Chesterman Beach. It was fantastic!
Oh nice, thanks Lisa!
I was going to say the same thing!!! And definitely check out their couples massage 🙂
Came across this article (and comment!) while researching Tofino for our already-booked June honeymoon! Hope you all have a fantastic time, too.
I was so excited to see this post! My hubby and I are heading there for our 10th anniversary on Fri…first trip without kids (our oldest is 9)! And we have never been to Tofino or the island. We are staying in Ucluelet at Waters Edge Resort and would love if you have any must dos or eats over there too! Thanks Jill.
Chrissy
This looks like a great place to visit! Love your casual outfit too!
Love the hooded vest looks cozy… where can I get one ?
have you stayed at wick inn? i just did a review on my blog. amazing place!
Terrific Tofino travel guide Jillian! We love Tofino! So many great things to see and do…
Were there some driving involved or were you able to walk from your resort to the restaurants, food trucks, shops and etc.?
Hi, Jillian! I love your website! I am looking into going to Tofino as a possible honeymoon spot. It looks so beautiful. Would you recommend it as a honeymoon location or somewhere else in Canada? Thank you! -Kristin
We are thinking of going here for our honeymoon !! It sounds amazing!!! Any other good places to stay?
hello! I purchased this vest and love it! I was just wondering why the one here looks kind of matted vs the one I purchased in store? Did you brush it or wash it a certain way to get that look? Thanks!
Great guide for a trip to Tofino Jillian.
I’m a big fan of 1909 and The Hatch, both at Tofino Resort and Marina.
And of course Sobo and Shelter are also good too.
You have to go back for fishing and whale watching!
My hubby, dog and I go to Pacific Sands every year and we LOVE IT so much that we find 10 days is never enough. I paint and he reads and our boston terrier loves it. We walk on the beach daily and love beachcombing. We have never stayed at the Rosie’s Bay house but we have always been curious so it was lovely to see your photos, Jillian. We feel Pacific Sands has the best beach access AND is dog friendly. We just love it. We have never been there in wintrer but we did go in Spring Break in addition to summer holidays (I am a teacher and holidays are limited to school holidays).
Hi Jilly, My husband and I are looking into booking for May. We are bringing our five year old and would love to know what to pack for both herself and us. What are some good tips?
Check out my most recent blog here: https://jillianharris.com/how-i-barely-survive-travelling-with-toddlers/. Let me know what you think!! xoxo
Any suggestions for travelling the Gulf Islands with kids? Thanks!
Hello! We are heading to kids under three. We are going in July for 4 days.. my question to you, what would you pack for clothing? We are staying in crystal cove beach resort.. should be interesting we have never been there before, but the resort said prepare for weather to be max 24 and cool in the evenings and mornings. Would you suggest we bring a stroller? Any info would be appreciated! Thank you!