Tofino Activities

If you love taking the road less traveled, you'll appreciate the island outings both Clayoquot and Barkley Sound have to offer. Allow us to prepare you a backpack lunch, and hop on a water taxi (or in your kayak, for the very skilled only) to Vargas Island's sunny and often solitary Ahous Beach, 5 kilometres / 3 miles from Tofino. Here, you can spend the day enjoying various activities: basking, surfing, perhaps spotting some whales on their migratory route, or hiking the old telegraph trail to the east coast of the island, where you will see the Tudor-style Vargas Island Inn. This trail is a rustic, old corduroy road (made of logs) that runs, at times, through thick vegetation.

Tofino Activites: Island Outings

Flores Island, a 40-minute water taxi from Tofino, is home to the Ahousaht First Nation and their Wild Side Trail. Built in 1995 under the guidance of village elders, this 11 kilometre / 6.8 mile (one way) rugged trail re-creates the centuries-old route used to access the beaches on the island's west coast. Although a good portion of the trail is boardwalk, expect a challenging route, some mud along the way, and a steep climb to Mount Flores and its views of Clayoquot Sound. First Nations guides can be hired, and will enrich your experience by pointing out historical landmarks and talking about traditional Nuu-chah-nulth foods and medicines found along the trail. Many hikers complete this trail in two days, overnighting on the Island.

Closer to Tofino, Meares Island is also tribal land, and home to the 730 metre / 2395 feet ascent to Lone Cone, rewarded by spectacular views of Tofino and beyond. More accessible and leisurely, the well-liked Big Tree Trail consists of a 3 kilometre / 1.8 mile boardwalk that was built in 1984, right before the "War of the Woods" successful protest against the logging of Meares Island.

The Broken Islands Marine Group, part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, includes over 100 mostly uninhabited islands, islets and rocky outcroppings in the centre of Barkley Sound, by Ucluelet. Best explored by kayak or boat, these islands offer coves, caves, cliffs, sandy beaches, and opportunities for wildlife viewing activities. There's no shortage of islands around Tofino, and the choice is yours in hiking a demanding trail or walking a more relaxing path and breathing in the fresh West Coast air.