Tofino

A relaxed, casual community which offers visitors a variety of whale-watching, nature and scenic tours or fishing charters.

Cruise around Meares Island and view the many varieties of resident and migrating birds. A festival is held each year in early May to celebrate the arrival of shorebirds on local beaches and mudflats. Join naturalists and bird experts at various locations.

Each spring Pacific Gray Whales migrate along the West Coast of Vancouver Island travelling close to the shoreline, providing excellent viewing opportunities from the rocky headlands and shore side Bushnell viewing stations will be set up, including one at Amphitrite Point Lighthouse. An estimated 19,000 Gray Whales make the 16,000km round-trip journey between their mating and calving lagoons on the Mexican Baja Peninsula and their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas near the Arctic. During the Pacific Rim Whale Festival the hosting villages of Tofino and Ucluelet, along with the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve offer a wide range of events providing entertaining and educational activities for all.

Sail or cruise to Hot Springs Cove and walk on a cedar plank pathway through old growth forests, stop for a picnic and soak in the natural hot tubs. The springs are five entirely natural rock pools, each accommodating 4-6 persons, soaking. Relax as the 43 degree C (110F) water cascades through the lower pools which, at higher tides, have a mix of hot spring water and ocean water.

Take a cruise from Tofino to beautiful Flores Island for a look at the stunning beauty and abundant wildlife along the 11 kilometre (7 mile) Wildside Trail.

Visit the many art galleries, gift shops and stop by the Whale Centre Museum to view whale skeletons and marine artifacts.

Winter brings wet and wild weather and storm-watching is a popular winter activity. The storms are incredible and nothing can match the power and splendour of 20-foot breakers crashing on the rocky headlands. Several resorts offer storm-watching packages.

Accommodations range from camping out to world-class resorts, and everything in between.