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A
relaxed, casual community which offers visitors a variety of
whale-watching, nature and scenic tours or fishing charters.
Tofino has grown from a small fishing village to a popular tourist
destination with accommodations such as oceanfront resorts,
hotels, motels and lodges, and bed and breakfast homes. There are
many excellent restaurants, pubs and cafes. You can also enjoy
browsing in art galleries and gift shops featuring work by both
local and internationally-known artists. Reservations are strongly
recommended for accommodations, especially on holiday week-ends.
Pounding Pacific surf and wide, sandy beaches dominate the western
side of the peninsula, while the eastern side is more tranquil and
the seascape is dominated by the rainforest splendor of Meares
Island. 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 traveling 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
Amphitricha 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 (110 F) 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 kilometer
(7 mile) Wild Side Trail.
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