Arrive by Air

• Fly non-stop to Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ) from Vancouver, Victoria or Seattle on scheduled flights with Pacific Coastal Airlines.
• Fly right into Tofino Harbour with Harbour Air departing from Vancouver or Richmond

Arrive by Car or Bus

Vancouver Island – and Tofino – can be accessed by vehicle from the British Columbia mainland in three ways:

1. By driving your own or a rented vehicle from many locations on the island and mainland.
2. Custom shuttle with Pacific Rim Navigators
3. Island Link Bus operates 3 times a week, and by mid-May will increase to 6 times a week.

If driving from the British Columbia mainland, you’ll first need to sail with BC Ferries from one of two points near Vancouver to Vancouver Island:

1. Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay:  The Horseshoe Bay terminal is north of Vancouver and this ferry route takes just under 2 hours, arriving at Nanaimo’s Departure Bay.
2. Tsawwassen to Duke Point:  The Tsawwassen terminal is south of the city, closer to the USA border. This ferry route takes approximately 2.5 hours, arriving at the Duke Point terminal, about 15 minutes south of Nanaimo.
3. Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay:  The Tsawwassen terminal is south of the city, closer to the USA border. This ferry route takes approximately 2 hours, arriving at the Swartz Bay terminal, about 30 minutes north of Victoria.

Click here for more information on BC Ferries.
Please note that advance ferry reservations are highly recommended on all routes during weekends, holiday periods and summer months.

Vancouver Island can also be accessed by three ferry lines originating in Washington State:

1. The Clipper Ferry:  year-round, daily passenger ferry service between Seattle and Victoria.
2. Black Ball Ferry Line:  year-round, daily vehicle and passenger ferry service between Port Angeles and Victoria.
3. Washington State Ferry:  seasonal vehicle and passenger ferry service between Anacortes or the San Juan Islands and Sidney (30 minutes north of Victoria)

Location : Rancho Tofino, 1432 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada

Wake up to steaming coffee and freshly steeped tea to go along with your gourmet hot breakfast. Just what you need to prepare you for your Stand Up Paddle lesson and tour on a nearby quiet bay. No experience is necessary and you will feel confident on the water after this positive and fun session. We can take our time to enjoy our packed picnic lunch as we float along breathing in the salty air, bobbing with the seals.

After a full morning of learning on the water, you have free time to explore Tofino, read by the fire or wander the beach searching for sea stars. In the evening you return to Rancho ready to share a delicious meal and laugh together as the first day's adventures draw to a close. 

• MEALS: B, L, D
• OVERNIGHT: Rancho Tofino

Location : Meares Island, British Columbia, Canada

A short but exhilarating water taxi ride across Tofino Inlet takes us to The Big Tree Trail at Wanachus-Hilthuuis (Meares Island) Tribal Park, the local Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation's flagship visitor experience. 

Walking this 3km cedar hewn trail is a total immersion into nature and cultural history. Explore some of Canada's largest Western Red Cedars, some more than 1500 years old and learn the history of how this island's treasures were preserved and continue to be protected  under the stewardship of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians. The magical Hanging Gardens mark the end of the trail and time to settle into a spot on the beach for our packed picnic lunch before boarding our boat back to Tofino.

After landing at the First Street docks, take a leisurely stroll up the road into the heart of Tofino. Coffee shops, art galleries, a funky museum of local lore, surf shops and gift shopping galore await you as you have the afternoon to absorb the vibe of Tofino before tourist season hits. Sip a glass of wine, wander vibrant gardens or marvel at the prints in Roy Henry Vicker's unique long house gallery. 

Home to Rancho for a carefully crafted locally inspired dinner followed by a crackling beach fire listening to the soundtrack of rolling waves and life at the edge of the Canada's beautiful West Coast.

• MEALS: B, L, D
• OVERNIGHT: Rancho Tofino

Location : Rancho Tofino, 1432 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada

Today will be swell as we don our wetsuits and try what Tofino is known for - SURFING the waves on Chesterman Beach! 

Our expert surf instructors will start you with the basics if you've never even touched a surf board or advance your skills if you are no stranger to the waves. A  two-hour lesson taught with patience and filled with fun and laughter may just be the highlight of your trip!  Learn ocean and wave safety, equipment orientation, etiquette on the water, how to catch waves, basic surf moves and much more. Catch a wave, and there will be no turning back.

Like true Tough City wave catchers, we'll be lunching at the original world famous Tacofino, a bestickered food truck nestled in the must visit Outside Break, along with Chocolate Tofino, purveyors of finely crafted chocolates, gelato and other decadent treats, surf shops popular with locals and tourists alike.

We'll spend our afternoon hiking through the rainforest to discover yet another breathtaking Tofino beach, each one so different from the other, then head home for a wonderful gourmet meal and an easy evening of camaraderie.

• MEALS: B, L, D
• OVERNIGHT: Rancho Tofino

Location : réserve de biosphère de Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, Canada

Rise early and get ready for an epic paddling adventure. Today is the pièce de résistance of this already spectacular trip as we head deep into Clayoquot Sound, a breathtaking UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—cherished for its profound biodiversity. This 5 hour experience begins with a scenic 35 minute boat ride that takes us to a hidden floating dock, from which we'll launch our Stand Up Paddle tour through this awe inspiring landscape. Look for bears foraging for crabs on the shoreline, otters and seals, maybe even a whale in the waters and breathe in the fresh, salty air where the rainforest clad mountains meet the sea. Landing back at our private dock, luxuriate in the wood-fired cedar sauna, laugh around a crackling fire and dare a dip in the salty healing waters of the Pacific Ocean.

From a hammock back to Rancho for a free afternoon before we enjoy a special evening out, dining at one of Tofino's fine dining restaurants. This is a once in a lifetime experience, you will be immersed in  Tofino's West Coast heart like few ever will. Heavenly!

• MEALS: B, L, D
• OVERNIGHT: Rancho Tofino

Location : Rancho Tofino, 1432 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada

Today we say goodbye to new friends but our shared memories will last a lifetime.

Rise early to watch the sunrise over the Pacific, snap group photos and pledge to stay in touch. Our final gourmet breakfast at Rancho will tide you over as you move on to explore more of the island or begin your journey home with a joyful heart  

Checkout time is 10:00am.

• MEALS: B
• OVERNIGHT: Rancho Tofino