Tofino / Getting Here

Tofino is situated at the tip of the Esowista Peninsula on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Tofino is a small, yet growing, coastal community (pop 1655 census 2006) with a history steep in fishing, forestry and tourism development.

Tofino is located within one of the most dramatic and pristine landscapes in the country, and is surrounded by the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Biosphere Reserve. The Biosphere Reserve is an internationally recognized area that includes terrestrial and marine environments and extends from the southern boundary of the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to just north of Estevan Point. The Biosphere Reserve includes approximately 350 000 hectares of which nearly 83 000 hectares are marine.

Over 60% of all employment opportunities in Tofino are directly related to the tourism industry and an additional 14% are classified as tourism-dependent. Other industries include aquaculture, shipping/transportation, and construction.

The temperatures in Tofino range between 0-25 degrees Celsius (approx. 30-80 degrees Fahrenheit). The average water temperature is approximately 7-11 degrees Celsius (approx. 44-52 degrees Fahrenheit). Annually, the temperatures do not vary greatly, earning Tofino the right to claim the greatest "mean" temperature in Canada.

Located in the heart of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere, Tofino continues to thrive while maintaining unsurpassed natural beauty for generations to come.

GETTING HERE

Tofino can be reached either by air, via regularly scheduled flights from both Vancouver and Seattle or by car or one of two scheduled bus systems.

Driving from the ferry terminal in Nanaimo or the airport in Comox, both located on the East Coast of Vancouver Island, will take you about 3 ½ to 4 hours. Traveling the Inland Island Highway (Highway 19) take exit # 60 for Highway 4 West. As you head towards Port Alberni you will pass Cameron Lake and Cathedral Grove (McMillian Provincial Park). You will stay on Highway 4 as you drive through one of the main commercial areas of Port Alberni until you come to a "T" junction. Take a right turn at this junction and follow the signs for "Tofino/Ucluelet". This portion of the drive is perhaps the most picturesque (and curvy!) as you past the shores of Sproat Lake, the Taylor River, the upper Kennedy River and finally, Kennedy Lake. As you reach the West Coast you will come to a second "T" junction where you will take a right turn to reach the Community of Tofino. If your drive originates in Victoria, BC's Capital City, please allow five hours (332km/206mi) to reach Tofino.

You can connect with Tofino Bus from Parksville, Port Alberni, Victoria or Vancouver. As well, if you catch the 8:30am Ferry Sailing from Horseshoe Bay, in North Vancouver, you can board Tofino Bus at their Nanaimo depot.

Transportation to Vancouver Island

BC Ferries For fares & schedules for sailings to Vancouver Island

Road Reports from BC's Ministry of Transportation

Coho Ferry/Black Ball Transport Vehicle ferry connecting Port Angeles, Washington with Downtown Victoria BC

Washington State Ferries Vehicle ferry connecting Anacortes, Washington with Sidney BC

 Orca Air Direct Flights from Vancouver to Tofino

WestJet Airlines Air transport to Comox or Victoria from over 22 departure points in Canada