Tofino Itinerary: 4 Days On The Stunning Vancouver Island

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This 4 day Tofino Itinerary will give you a taste of what Vancouver Island is really like. 

Opening my bleary eyes I look out at the scene through my window, raindrops gently drip down the window pane, framing a scene of crashing waves, tall pine trees and lush forest.

Off in the distance I hear seagulls calling out and a little kid laughing as he plays in the surf. This is Tofino- a temperate rain-forest on the coast of Vancouver Island, a place where the wild still exists in abundance. 

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Table of Contents:

1. Tofino FAQ

2. Tofino Map

3. How To Get To Tofino

4. 4 Day Tofino Itinerary

5. Where to stay in Tofino

6. What to pack for Tofino

Tofino Itinerary- FAQ

Quick Facts

Language: English

Currency: CAD- $1 CAD = .75 USD

Country: Canada- British Columbia

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Go To Tofino?

Since Tofino is located in a temperate rain-forest, you can access it year round! Vancouver Island rarely receives snow and is beautiful in any season. The best time of year really depends on what you are looking for. 

Summer brings more crowds and nicer weather. More hikes are accessible nearby and it just seems more enjoyable to try surfing when the weather isn’t as intense. 

Winter on the other hand brings the quintessential moody weather of the Pacific Northwest. It rains almost every day here in the Winter but the lush rain forest, and beautiful coastline are suited for it. There is a beauty in storm watching here and meandering through the forest as the rain pitter-patters around you. 

What Is The Best Month To Visit Tofino?

June-July

If you are looking for longer days to enjoy the beaches on, warmer weather (up to 60 degrees F) and clearer hikes I would recommend the early Summer months. 

December- February

If you are looking for storm watching, cozy days by the fireside, no crowds and surfing!

Where Is Tofino Located?

Tofino is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island is, you guessed it, an island off of the coast of Vancouver, BC. In fact it is the largest island off the west coast of North America. Running 50 miles wide and nearly 285 miles long this island has tons to offer. 

This island is covered with gorgeous old growth forests, snow covered mountain peaks and a gorgeous coastline. It is one of the most amazing places in the world for wildlife, whale watching, and hiking. 

Tofino itself is located in a temperate rain forest and boasts gorgeous hikes and surfing opportunities. 

Tofino Map

Tofino Itinerary

How To Get To Tofino

Since Tofino is located on an island you will have to take a ferry to get there. There are two main options. 

Getting To Tofino From Washington State

If you are visiting Tofino from Washington in the US you can take a couple of different routes: 

Port Angeles- Victoria- Tofino. 

This route involves taking a ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC (1hr and ½) and then driving 4.5 hours to Tofino. This journey will take you around 6 hours + the amount of time it takes you to get to Port Angeles. 

You will book the ferry through- Coho Ferry

Seattle- Victoria- Tofino

This route involves taking a ferry from Seattle, WA to Victoria, BC (2 hrs 45 mins) and then driving 4.5 hours to Tofino. This journey will take you around 7 hours 15 mins + the amount of time it takes you to get to Seattle. 

This ferry is a passenger only ferry so you would have to rent a car in Victoria for the rest of the journey. If you want to avoid that I would recommend taking the Port Angeles Ferry. 

You will book the ferry through- Victoria Clipper

The third route involves driving from Washington State to Vancouver and taking a ferry from there- you can see the directions for this one below. 

Getting To Tofino From Vancouver, BC

Vancouver- Ferry- Tofino

This route involves taking a ferry from Vancouver, BC (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) and then driving to Tofino. This ferry is a half an hour long and the drive after that is almost 3 hours exactly. This journey will take you 4.5 hours total + the time it takes you to get to Vancouver BC. 

You will book this ferry through- B.C Ferries

Ferry Information

A note on the ferries- these ferries recommend that you make a reservation ahead of time. The tickets are quite pricey ($200+ USD round trip) so I would recommend carpooling with friends to split the cost. 

The buying process is a bit arduous and they give you different time options (with different price tags attached) along with different buying options. I went ahead and just paid in full at the time of booking but you can opt to pay half online and the rest when you get there if you are unsure if you want to commit fully. 

READ MORE: Check Out These 11 Stunning Cabins in Washington

Check Out My Tofino, BC Wall Art!

READ MORE: Check Out These 12 Unique Things To Do In Tofino

Is Tofino Worth Visiting?

If you love wildlife, bird watching, whale watching, surfing, exploring rugged coastlines and hiking through rain-forests then Tofino is the perfect escape for you! 

I really loved visiting Tofino and I think if you are an outdoor lover then you will too. There is so much beautiful wilderness to explore here along with tons of really amazing experiences to be had. 

Tofino Itinerary

What To Pack For Tofino

Warm Outdoorsy Clothes

If you are planning on traveling to Tofino in the Fall, Winter or Spring you will want to be prepared for cool mornings and nights, warm afternoons and rain. I like to bring different layers so I can remove or add them as I see needed!

Top Things To Bring:

A Warm Puffy Jacket: This is an essential. A puffy jacket- whether made from down or synthetic material can keep you extra warm during those cold mornings and nights. I personally believe this is a must have when traveling to any wilderness destination.

Hat, Gloves & Socks: To keep yourself warm it is important to focus on your extremities. Your head lets out a lot of heat, as do your hands and feet. Invest in a warm beanie, quality gloves and merino wool socks and you will be much better suited for the outdoors.

Merino Wool Shirts: One of my very favorite pieces of clothing I wear is my mid layer merino wool quarter zip and my short sleeves from Smartwool. Wearing merino wool lets you regulate your temperature better, it stays warm even when wet and its nice and cozy- perfect for the outdoors!

A Fleece: It is important to have multiple layers so you can choose your level of warmth. I always like to bring a fleece to keep me warm- Patagonia and North Face both have wonderful options to choose from.

Rain Jacket: Since weather in the Pacific Northwest can change in an instant I highly recommend investing in and bringing a nice rain jacket. I personally have the Arcteryx Beta and it never lets me get wet!

Sunglasses: A good pair of polarized sunglasses can make those bright sunny days a little easier on the eyes. Always a good idea to have a pair to grab when you need it!

Hiking Gear

If you are planning on hiking in Tofino you will want to be prepared with gear that will keep you safe and comfortable.

Top Things To Bring:

Hiking Boots: I believe hiking boots are one of the most important items in your gear closet- having a comfortable fit, good grip and ankle support can help you exponentially while you are hiking.

My personal favorites include the Renegade GTX Mid Boots, Bridger Mid Waterproof Boots and X Ultra Mid Gore boots. Be sure to try them on for yourself though as they fit different people differently.

Hiking Backpack: Having a good day pack is essential to hiking. My personal favorites are the Osprey Daylite Pack and Mira 23 Hydration Pack.

Trekking Poles: If you are planning on doing hikes with a lot of elevation, trekking poles can help your balance on the way up and knees on the way down. I personally use trekking poles on almost every hike. My favs are the Distance Carbon FLZ poles for a super lightweight option and the Trail Trekking poles.

Water Bladder & Bottle: My two favorite ways to bring water with me are with a water bladder and a nalgene. If you are going on a longer hike you can also bring a light weight water filter with you.

Headlamp: Being able to see at night is essential. I have a headlamp in my hiking bag at all times, even if I am heading out on a morning hike- you never know what can happen.

Helpful Extras: Hand warmers, blister bandages, and microspikes can all make your hike more comfortable and safe.

Cute Casual Clothes

The final items in your suitcase should be pieces that you will want to wear walking around town, lounging at your hotel and road tripping in!

I personally think Tofino calls for cozy vibes- a comfy pair of boots, a chunky sweater, a cute cotton T and comfy leggings are the pieces I would bring! Check out my favs below to see if they spark any inspiration!

Conclusion

Tofino is a gorgeous little city on Vancouver Island filled to the brim with natural beauty. I hope this 3 Day Tofino Itinerary got you excited about visiting this wonderful fishing village and prepared for your adventure!

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