This post is too juicy for emails. Click here to read it on the Substack app or in your browser!

I’m a few city guides behind currently (Taiwan and Tokyo is coming up) but happy to finally share my Tofino guide. In What I did + wore in Tofino, BC, I talked about my most recent trip to Tofino so if you want to read my exact itinerary, you can find it there.

To be fair, I think I’ve been actively avoiding these ones because they were trips I had with my ex and were the catalyst to our downfall but needless to say, it had nothing to do with the cities and everything to do with us.

Tofino is still, and will always be, one of my favorite spots in the Pacific Northwest. The place brings about a calm that’s unignorable. Walk along long beach, listen to the waves, and there’s just no way your nervous system won’t relax.

I spent a few days there very recently and despite the madness of work and fighting with my partner, I still left Tofino feeling rejuvenated.

Tofino is a sleepy little beach town on Vancouver Island. Despite becoming one of the hottest escapes for Vancouver locals over the years, the town still has this slow comfort even when it’s bustling with people. It’s one of those places that you go to relax, disconnect from the digital world, and reconnect with yourself or your loved ones. Whether you’re looking for some outdoor adventures or just good food, cozy cabins, and the beach—there’s something there for you.

Storm season on film

The busiest season for Tofino is definitely summer but it has it’s charm year around. The fall time is storm season meaning lots of rain and dreary weather but imagine cozying up to a fire after a misty beach walk and hearty dinner—it’s the only time I don’t mind rain.

Being a beach town, there’s a huge surf scene here. I want to say it’s what most people come here for (although who am I to say as someone who can’t even swim.) As Tofino got more popular, travellers started coming for other reasons as well but still it remains one of the best surf spots in the Pacific Northwest.

There are two ways you can get from Vancouver to Tofino. The first is to take the ferry with your vehicle. The total trip time is about 5 (ish) hours which includes getting to the ferry terminal, taking the 2 hour ferry, and then driving from Nanaimo (where you dock on Vancouver Island) to Tofino.

There’s one road in and out of Tofino so sometimes you do have to account for roadwork and closures. You can check the Drive BC website for real-time updates or the Tofino website for an overview of what’s going on.

Good ol’ mid-day highway closure

The good thing about this method is that you’ll have your car with you throughout your trip. The amazing beaches in Tofino do span across the highway and to get to Long Beach there is a 20 minute drive. You can walk to one of the closer beaches but I prefer having my car with me so I can get from place to place more easily.

If the drive is too long for you, you can also opt for a the plan from downtown Vancouver or from the YVR airport. Both flights are around 45 minutes and can cost between $100 - $500.