^ Part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
In this episode of Leftcoast Life (spiritually but not officially associated with this magazine), Levi Allen, director of Untethered, takes us on a cold water surfing trip to Tofino.
Tofino is a small district on Vancouver Island. Sandy beaches with year-round surfing are found in Cox Bay, Chesterman Beach and popular Long Beach, part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The relaxed town of Tofino sits on the peninsula’s tip. Full-time population: 1,876.
While the water is a cool 50 degrees, you can warm up at a natural nearby (via water taxi or float plane) hot springs in Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. For lodging, camp like Levi did, or stay at “The Wick” (the Wickaninnish Inn).
Every March, the migration of thousands of grey whales is celebrated with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival. The last weekend of April is the Tofino Shorebird Festival. The first weekend of June brings the Tofino Food and Wine Festival, featuring British Columbia wines and showcasing the creations of Tofino chefs. The end of August brings the Tofino Lantern Festival (voted Tofino’s most popular event by Tofino Time magazine), and mid-September brings Art in the Gardens, a two-day arts and music festival. In November is the Clayoquot Oyster Festival.
Plan your trip now because: