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Heading to the gorgeous town of Tofino, B.C? Lucky you! Tofino is a beautiful, little surf town on Vancouver Island. There are tons of unique things to do in Tofino and this blog post will cover 12 of them. 

From soaking in a sauna, trying cold water surfing or taking a boat ride to a hot spring, there is something for everyone. 

#1. Unique Things To Do In Tofino: Go Surfing

While Tofino is quite a small town, it is well known around the world for its cold water surfing. It is even considered Canada’s Surf Capital! There really is no better place in the Pacific Northwest to try out surfing. 

If you want to try out surfing for yourself you can rent a wetsuit and board from one of the many surf shops in town or sign up for a lesson!

Check out Pacific Surf Co or Storm Surf Shop in Tofino to find out more information. 

Image from Unsplash

#2. Take A Bear Watching Tour

Yes, you heard me right, bear watching! Tofino has an abundance of wildlife and offers boat tours during the months of April- October to go see black bears right on the coast.

These tours generally last 2.5 hours and while they do not guarantee seeing a bear you are more than likely to.

During these tours you also get the chance to learn about their behaviors and spot other wildlife like bald eagles, sea lions and harbor porpoises.  

If you are into wildlife photography, or just want to experience a once in a lifetime encounter you can sign up for a bear tour at the Tofino Whale Centre.

#3. Explore A Hot Spring

Looking for a unique, all day experience? Try this 6 hour long Hot Springs Tour! Take a boat ride from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove- a natural, geothermal hot spring right on the water. 

During this tour you get to experience a boardwalk through old growth rain-forest, a boat ride through Clayoquot Sound, possible wildlife sightings and hot spring soaking.  

#4: Go On A Rain-forest Hike

Another Tofino classic- a boardwalk through the rain-forest! The forests here in Tofino are absolutely beautiful. 

Lush green ferns spring up in every direction, Douglas Fir, Cedars and Evergreen trees shelter you from the rain as a cedar boardwalk leads you deeper and deeper into the wonders of this flourishing forest. 

There are many hikes like this in Tofino but my personal favorite was the Rainforest Loop in Pacific Rim National Park.

READ MORE: Check Out My Ultimate 4 Day Tofino Itinerary

#5. Hike Cox Bay Lookout

Eager to get a view at this stunning landscape from above? Hike to Cox Bay Lookout! 

Cox Bay Lookout is a short (1.6 miles RT) but steep hike overlooking Cox Bay, Chesterman Beach and Clayoquot Sound. This trail can be a bit hard to find so refer to directions from this blog post and you should be just fine!

#6: Unique Things To Do In Tofino: Eat At Tacofino

If you have eaten at the Tacofino in Vancouver, BC this is the place where all of those restaurants originated! 

This cute little food truck, covered head to toe in stickers is home to some of the best fish tacos and burritos I have ever eaten. This is a must when traveling through Tofino, BC.

#7: Eat A Donut At Rhino Coffee Shop

Treat yourself to a donut in the cute little town of Tofino. Rhino Coffee shop is right in the middle of town and is a great place to go warm up after a rainy hike in the forest or surf session on the beach.

Image from Unsplash

#8: Unique Things To Do In Tofino: Go Whale Watching

One of the best things about Tofino is all of the wildlife surrounding it, particularly in the ocean! Head out on a whale watching tour and cross your fingers you get lucky. Here it is possible to spot orca whales, humpbacks, gray whales, sea lions, harbor seals and bald eagles!

You can book a whale watching tour here. 

#9: Shop At Boutiques

While Tofino is small, it still has an assortment of lovely little boutiques to explore. Head down the main street and pop your head in to explore artisanal art, surfboards, beanies and more. My favorites were Storm | The Tofino Surf Shop and Merge. 

#10: Boat to a Floating Sauna

If you like saunas you will be astounded at this one! Floating in the Clayoquot Sound is a wood dock with a wood burning sauna.

Take a short boat ride to this sauna and enjoy peace and quiet, no cell service and the sound of the ocean lapping at the dock. If you so wish you can even do a cold dip! 

You can book this excursion here. 

#11. Hangout on A Beach

This one seems like a bit of a given seeing that Tofino is right on the coast, but the hard decision comes when you have to decide on which beach! There are so many stunning ones to choose from it can be difficult to know which one to hit first. 

Will you watch surfers at Cox Bay? Take a walk down the beach at Long Beach? Hike on a boardwalk to Tonquin beach or run along the beach at Chesterman? The choice is yours! 

#12.Unique Things To Do In Tofino: Stay In A Dome

Are you looking for a stay like no other? This geodome hotel lets you sleep in a luxury “pod” right on the water! These domes are located right near the downtown so you will be walking distance to many restaurants and cafes.

You can book a dome stay at Wildpod Glamping. 

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