Tofino in Winter – Why it’s a magical time to visit

Tofino is known worldwide for its stunning beaches, laid-back west coast vibe and killer waves.  Most people consider it only as a summer destination but all us locals know that Tofino in winter is really the most magical time to visit.

Guide to Visiting Tofino in Winter

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Why visit Tofino in Winter?

Avoid the crowds

Tofino in winter is an ideal time to visit because the crowds of tourists are long gone and the town returns to a sleepy, laid-back surfer’s paradise.  No more insanely long line-ups, packed parking lots, nor crowded beaches.  Instead, you can enjoy the tranquil forests, stunning beaches and cozy winter hideaways all to yourself (or at least it feels like it).

It’s more budget-friendly

There’s no doubt about it that prices in summer sky rocket in Tofino.  You’ll be lucky to find a hotel for $400/night in high season.  If you want to enjoy Tofino on a budget, then winter is definitely the time to go.  For example, a room at our hotel was only $150/night in winter vs $500/night in summer.

It makes for a romantic getaway

If you are celebrating a special occasion or just want a quick weekend getaway Tofino in winter makes a wonderful choice.  There’s just something special about getting cozy by the fire or in a hot tub, watching the humongous waves crashing onto the beach.  Tofino in winter is much more quiet and it makes for such a relaxing time.

And with the lower rates it’s your perfect opportunity to splurge a little on one of the luxurious romantic resorts (check out where to stay in Tofino below).

How to get to Tofino in Winter

Getting to Tofino in winter can be tricky.  Winter storms are part of the attraction but they undoubtedly make traveling a bit more difficult.  You’d be wise to get some travel cancellation insurance, especially if you are coming from afar, since the weather and travel conditions can be so unpredictable.

There are really only 3 ways to get to Tofino: drive yourself, fly or take the bus.

Driving to Tofino

Driving to Tofino in winter can be a bit sketchy at times.  There is only one road to Tofino (Highway 4) and it takes you through the mountains.  You may encounter snow, flooding, washed out roads or branches/rocks in the road.

The highway itself is narrow and mostly single-lane.  It is quite curvy so if you suffer from motion sickness take that into account.  I got a bit dizzy on the drive there and back.

Note: There is no cell reception between Port Alberni and Tofino.  Don’t worry about not having access to Google Maps, though, as there is only one road to follow!

We drove in after a snow and wind storm.  The roads were in pretty good condition and we saw a handful of plows on the road clearing the snow.  There were quite a bit of flooded sections, though, so you have to watch out for those.  Also, be mindful of the temperature as the road would be quite scary if icy.

It’s best to drive during daylight as there are no lights on most of the drive and it is very dark.  Some sections get very foggy, too, which makes it difficult to see.

Be sure to have winter tires on your vehicle – at least M&S (mud and snow) tires or chains are required from October 1st to March 31st each year.  You can be fined if you get caught without them.  Snow tires are even better, though.  Four wheel drive is also a good idea.

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Read Driving from Victoria to Tofino – Road Trip Tips From A Local

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Flying to Tofino

Yes, there is actually an airport in Tofino (YAZ)!  You can fly direct from Vancouver (YVR) on daily flights with Pacific Coastal Airlines.  Unfortunately the Harbour Air flights don’t run during the winter.

During winter you have to remember, though, that you may be subject to delayed/cancelled flights due to difficult and unpredictable weather.

Alternatively you can fly into Victoria (YYJ) or Nanaimo (YCD) instead and rent a car to drive yourself the rest of the way.

Tofino Bus

The Tofino Bus runs daily in the winter between Victoria and Tofino (check current schedules here).  Tickets can be purchased online on their website.  The bus stops in Nanaimo as well so you can catch the bus from there (or any other point along the route) instead of Victoria.

Things to Do in Tofino in Winter

Tofino Storm Watching

A highlight of any winter trip to Tofino is the storm watching!  Tofino in winter is prime storm watching season and perfect for thrill-seekers searching out the most ferocious waves. Because of Tofino’s exposed coast the wind has the opportunity to build up over quite a distance, resulting in the huge waves up to 20 feet high!  Hearing the power of the waves crashing down, the rain pounding and the wind howling is nothing short of exhilarating.

You can either bundle up in your warm rain gear and brave the elements or admire the storm from the comforts of a cozy resort – either way it will be an unforgettable experience.

Tip:  Check out the waves beforehand on one of the surf cams

Surfing

Yes, that’s right, people still surf in Tofino in winter.  While it may not be up everybody’s alley, there are those brave souls who are not afraid of the cold and don a head-to-toe wetsuit to head out into the magnificent Tofino waves.

While we were not brave enough to get into the water, we did feel it with our hands and it wasn’t actually as cold as we were expecting!  We instead admired the surfers from the shore.

If you do want to give winter surfing a try, book yourself a private lesson with the Long Beach Lodge Surf Club.  Or if you just need to rent a surfboard or wetsuit, you can do that through them, too.

Explore the endless beaches

No matter the weather, the beaches in Tofino are stunning!  With 35 km of beaches, Tofino beaches really do seem endless.  Especially the magnificent Long Beach which is 16km long!

When exploring the beaches remember that the beaches are all unsupervised so be careful of unpredictable waves that can flood the beach suddenly.  And do not stand out on the rocks in the water as you can be quickly knocked over!

Long Beach is our favorite but Mackenzie Beach, Cox Bay Beach and Chesterman Beach are all worth a stop, too.  Enjoy strolling along, checking out the driftwood and shells along the way (but don’t take any!)

If you stop at Long Beach make sure you purchase and display your park pass since it is within the Pacific Rim National Park.  You can purchase it from the machine in the parking lot with a credit card.

Enjoy the culinary delights

For such a small town Tofino sure packs in a lot of fantastic eateries!  There are less than 30 restaurants in Tofino but you will find more than enough delicious and high-quality dishes.  And if you are vegetarian, dairy-free, vegan or gluten-free, not to worry.  Tofino has you covered!  At all of the restaurants we visited each had dishes to accommodate most dietary restrictions – very nice to see.

Walk in the rainforest

Admire the majestic temperate rainforest in Tofino on an easy 2km hike through Pacific Rim National Park.  The hike is very scenic and you’ll get to see the gigantic western red cedars and western hemlocks.

Visit Tofino Botanical Gardens

Tofino Botanical Gardens covers 12 acres and includes gardens, forests and shoreline, with a mission to inspire conservation of the world’s temperate coastal rainforests.

During winter they host their Annual Tofino Winterlights festival which is a celebration of light and art – an enchanting display of lights in the beautiful gardens.  It runs from the end of November to beginning of January.  Check their website for exact dates.

Soak in the hot springs

A great way to warm up during the stormy winter months is to soak in the amazing Tofino Hot Springs!  You’ll have to take a day trip on a boat to reach Hot Springs Cove but it will be worth the adventure.  Wildlife sightings (whales, bears, eagles, etc) are common on the way over and then once there you’ll have a nice 1.5km walk in on the boardwalk before reaching the geothermal pools.

Boat tours run year-round but are weather-permitting.  You can book a tour online here.

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Read more: 60 Things to Do on Vancouver Island According to a Local

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What to Pack for Tofino in Winter

The main things to consider when planning what to pack for Tofino in winter are of course the rain and the cold.

In addition to your normal weekend getaway necessities, just add:

• Rainboots or Waterproof Covers for your shoes (save weight in your luggage!)
• Waterproof Jacket
• Waterproof Pants
• Warm socks
• Gloves
• Toque (yes, that’s what us Canadians call it, or a beanie to Americans ;))

And wear lots of layers to keep warm!  Honestly the most useful item for us were our rainboots.  We didn’t stay out long in the rain so we were okay without waterproof pants and jackets, but if you plan to do longer hikes or beach combing then definitely bring them.

On the other hand, if you are staying at one of the bigger hotels/resorts, a lot of them actually have rain gear you can borrow!

Where to Eat in Tofino

As noted above, Tofino has some amazing restaurants!  The great thing about eating out in Tofino in winter is you can avoid the long lines that are common during summertime.  Below are our favorites for each meal.

Breakfast: Rhino Coffee

Rhino Coffee is located right in downtown Tofino and they are known for their signature donuts and all day breakfast.  You can’t go wrong with a coffee and a donut for breakfast (at least not in my mind)!  They also have an amazing donut breakfast sandwich.

We went for the Sugar Cinnamon Beer donut and Triple Chocolate donut.  Both were delicious but the triple chocolate was a standout.  The chocolate was rich and Ryan described it as like eating a brownie!

They also have gluten-free and vegan donut options, too!

Lunch: Wildside Grill

Wildside Grill is located outside of the downtown core, along the Pacific Rim Highway, in the Live to Surf Plaza.  What makes them so great is their ingredients are always fresh and they use all local suppliers for their meat and seafood!

Even on a cold rainy day you can sit outside in their covered area.

Cozy up with some warm chowder or delicious fish and chips!

Dinner: A Wolf in the Fog

For a special dinner you have to head to A Wolf in the Fog!  Arguably Vancouver Island’s best restaurant, they were named Canada’s best new restaurant in 2014 by Air Canada EnRoute!  We can certainly see why.

Their menu is creative and dishes are beautifully presented.  I personally loved the pretty ceramic plates and the lovely, warm ambiance of the entire place.  The servers are both laid-back and professional and very welcoming.  It’s like a high-end restaurant but with a casual, unpretentious feel.

We started with the West Coast Mussels, followed by the Duck Mexicano.  The duck was perfectly cooked and paired with a delicious mole sauce and tasty black beans and squash.

For dessert we went for the Blonde Chocolate Mousse which was topped with a unique, tart pear sorbet and crumbled hazelnut cookie.

Even in winter, this restaurant stays pretty packed!  The word is out on how wonderful it is, so be sure to make reservations in advance via their website.

Dessert: Chocolate Tofino

Calling all chocolate lovers!  There is a lovely little chocolate shop in Tofino, situated in the Live to Surf plaza, next to Wildside Grill.

They make all their chocolates by hand in their shop using high quality ingredients without preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.   Chocolates can be purchased individually by weight or in bars or boxes.

We sampled a number of different chocolates, but my personal favorite was the “Love at First Bite Caramel“, infused with Mexican vanilla, since I am a caramel-lover.  A close runner up was the Wildflower Honey Ganache, sweetened with local honey.

They also have delicious gelato, made right in the shop as well, if that is more up your alley!

Where to Stay in Tofino in Winter

Since the highlight of a winter trip to Tofino is storm watching we recommend staying beachfront!  This way you have easy access to stroll the beach and the ability to storm watch from the comfort of your hotel room.  And luckily winter rates make staying in a luxury resort a little more accessible if you feel like splurging.

Budget-friendly: Mackenzie Beach Resort

This isn’t exactly a budget place but compared to the other Tofino hotels along the beach this one is budget-friendly.  The resort is made up of rustic cabins and even a vintage Airstream.  It is situated right on beautiful Mackenzie Beach (where else?) so you can watch all the surfers during the winter.

Mid-range: Best Western Tin Wis Resort

The Tin Wis Resort is located next door to the Mackenzie Beach Resort and all rooms have an ocean view!

Some rooms even have soaker tubs with a view – perfect for storm watching.  And if you feel like surfing, there is an on-site shop offering lessons and equipment rental!

The rooms are comfortable, complete with refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, even a wine bottle opener.  There is an outdoor hot tub overlooking the ocean, as well as outdoor BBQs that guests are free to use.  They even have BBQ kits at the front desk if you wish to use the BBQ.

A complimentary buffet breakfast is also included each morning.

If you are traveling with a dog, the hotel has some dog-friendly rooms!

Luxury: The Wickaninnish Inn

For an unforgettable stay you’ve got to choose the Wickaninnish Inn.  It is pricey but it is worth it!  This boutique hotel is situated in the perfect spot for storm watching – in fact, storm watching was incorporated into the design of the hotel!

The rooms have beautiful soaker tubs overlooking the ocean so you can storm-watch from the comfort of your warm hotel room.  But if you wish to venture outside, each room is equipped with full rain gear and rubber boots for guests to use!

Unique: WILDPOD Luxury Domes

Enjoy your visit to Tofino in winter and let us know how it goes!

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Check out some of our other Vancouver Island posts:

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Road Trip Along Vancouver Island’s Beautiful West Coast

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