Vancouver Island Guide: Tofino + Ucluelet

Vancouver Island Guide: Tofino + Ucluelet

Liza
A thorough guide of Tofino + Ucluelet and your road trip to get there. Perfect for those visiting for the first time and wanting to see and experience it all! Included: -Stops along your drive to/from Tofino -Things to do/see in Tofino -Food/drink recommendations in Tofino -Hike/beach recommendations -Things to do/see in Ucluelet -Food/drink recommendations in Ucluelet Please note that this guide is for those that have access to a car and assumes the drive starts from Nanaimo (or nearby areas)
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General Information

Language spoken: English

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Weather in Tofino:

Weather in Ucluelet:

THE DRIVE

Old Country Market - Goats on Roof
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You might have read the title and thought to yourself, "Goats on the roof? That can't be right". I thought the same thing when a local told me about this place on the ferry to Tofino. But there are actual goats on the roof of this market. I don't know how they got there, I don't know what they do there, I don't know how and if they get down, but what I do know is you need to stop there and see them for yourself
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Billy G's Doughnut Shop
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Treat yourself to a delicious donut (or a dozen - I won't judge)
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Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
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Cathedral Grove
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Hole in the Wall Trail Head
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Wally Creek
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Notes for the drive:

1) The drive can take anywhere from 3-5 or 6 hours depending on the amount of stops taken. Be sure to give yourself enough time for the drive, along with any stops you may want to make. Be mindful of the daylight hours.

3) Be mindful of your gas, there aren't a lot of gas stations along the way, especially past Port Alberni.

4) There is very limited/no cell service along the drive from Port Alberni until about Long Beach.

5) Please be mindful of any wildlife you may see along your drive and during your visit to Vancouver Island. Do not approach wildlife. Please do your research on bear and cougar safety.

TOFINO 

A little about Tofino:

Tofino is a small town which can easily be explored by foot. There are lots of lovely gift shops, cafes, restaurants, grocery and liquor stores, pharmacies, galleries and museums in town. 

Tofino has a great variety of activities available for all kinds of adventure lovers! Some of the options include: kayaking, bike rentals, marine excursions, surfing classes and rentals, sea plane tours, fishing charters, and more. If visiting during high traffic season (ex. summer), I recommend booking excursions/classes in advance to ensure availability.

I highly recommend taking a surfing class at one of the many wonderful surfing schools in Tofino. It is such a fun activity (even for beginners) and will definitely be an exciting memory you will be sure to look back on!

Roy Henry Vickers Gallery
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A lovely gallery with beautiful Indigenous art and incredible stories behind it
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Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum
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Caravan Beach Shop
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Driftwood Gifts
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Two Trees Home + Gift
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Tofino Brand
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Get your "I've been to Tofino" merch here
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WHERE TO EAT/DRINK IN TOFINO

BREAKFAST

Tofino Coffee Roasting Company | Cafe
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Delicious coffee and breakfast bites. They also sell some local goodies which make perfect souvenirs for your loved ones (or yourself)
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Rhino Coffee House
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Tofitian Cafe
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Delicious baked goods!
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LUNCH

Tacofino
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A Tofino classic you won't regret checking out
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Big Daddy's Fish Fry
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My friends ate here 4 times during their 3 days in Tofino
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Savary Island Pie Company
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Wildside Grill
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DINNER/DRINKS

Shelter Restaurant
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The Schooner Restaurant
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I still think about their seafood chowder
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Wolf in the Fog
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Tofino Brewing Co
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Another Tofino classic
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Tofino Distillery
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WHAT TO DO/SEE IN TOFINO

Tonquin Beach
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To access Tonquin Beach you can find multiple trailheads on Google Maps. You can also access Third Beach by taking the trail down south. The trail isn't long and easy to complete.
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Cox Bay Beach
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A beautiful beach that's popular amongst surfers Tip: surfing is very popular in Tofino and there are many wonderful surf schools in town that offer classes. So put on your wetsuit and brave the cold ocean (or watch others from the comfort of your beach blanket) Pro tip: at the southern point of Cox Bay Beach there is a trail that goes up the hill leading to a beautiful lookout of the beach. Be sure to bring your hiking boots and a camera!
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Middle Beach
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Long Beach
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One of the most popular beaches in Tofino. Perfect spot for surfers and beach lovers!
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Wickaninnish Beach
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Rainforest Trail - Loop A
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A beautiful loop trail through a lush ancient Northern Rainforest. The trail is easy and follows a laid out boardwalk through the forest. Complete Loop A only or follow it up with Loop B. But definitely complete one of them during your time in Tofino. Please be aware of wildlife and do your research on bear and cougar safety
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Rainforest Trail - Trail B
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Lismer Beach
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Please note that this beach is accessed through a trail commencing by the Kwisitis Visitor Centre. Paid parking may be enforced
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South Beach
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Please note that this beach is accessed through a trail commencing by the Kwisitis Visitor Centre. Paid parking may be enforced
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WHAT TO DO IN UCLUELET

Ancient Cedars Loop Trail
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Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop
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A great easy loop trail that goes along the Ucluelet coast. Keep an eye for ocean life!
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Terrace Beach
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Wild Pacific Trail
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Ucluelet Aquarium
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WHERE TO EAT/DRINK IN UCLUELET

The Foggy Bean Coffee Company - Coffee Bar and Coffee Roasters
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Thay Tea - Organic Loose Leaf Tea
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The Blue Room, A West Coast Bistro
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Ucluelet Brewing Company
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Enjoy your trip to Tofino + Ucluelet!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Liza
Hi there! I'm Liza, a Canadian based traveler, hiker, and film photographer. My love for traveling started at a young age and has continued to grow with every trip I take. I love planning trips with the goal of seeing and experiencing as much as possible at my destination(s). I specifically enjoy immersing myself in the culture, nature, and foods that my destinations have to offer. If you share the same travel goals, my guides are for you! Each guide that I have created is a trip I have personally taken. So you can be sure that you're getting advice from someone who's actually "been there done that". I also love combining my passion for travel with my hobbies of hiking and film photography. Want to see some of the trips that I've captured? Find me on Instagram @35mm.digital :) I'm grateful to have had the opportunities to travel around many countries and experience so many beautiful places. I hope to use my knowledge and experiences from previous trips to help others plan their visits to all the destinations that I adore! I look forward to helping YOU plan your trips to go see the world!
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