Tofino Vancouver Island Travels - Canada Backpacker

To get to the island requires a 1 ½-hour ferry ride from either Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay ferry terminals, on the mainland. The ferry ride is a delightful experience. Not only are the ferries well equipped (with shopping, bar and café facilities), but also you are treated to some spectacular vistas from the vessel's deck. The clear waters and the smaller Gulf Islands that line the route are a real treat for the eyes. Occasionally, passengers will be lucky enough to spot a group of porpoises skipping along the water-surface.

The arrival destination on Vancouver Island is Nanaimo, and it is from here that you connect with the road to Tofino. If you do not have a car then there is a bus service that runs every hour or so from the ferry terminal. The road trip from Nanaimo takes approximately 3 hours. There are alternative means of travel to reach Tofino i.e. by boat or sea plane, however to get an appreciation of man's endeavour to access the most secluded exotic locations, the tarmac option must be taken. The road to Tofino is a rare proposition as it weaves through uninhabitable terrain consisting of tree filled hills and rocky rivers. There is hardly any sign of human existence except for the odd clearing where there may be a small isolated dwelling. Realisation kicks in, that if somebody has gone to the effort of constructing such a lengthy road along a route that consists of, well, nothing…then there must be something very special at the end of it. This is a musing that does not end in disappointment.

Before entering the main village you will pass a few buildings – mainly accommodation and small stores. The village itself is just a 4 x 3 block grid. However, for such a small community (approximately 1,200 permanent residents) there are many places to stay and even more surprisingly, a plethora of good places to eat. Though it is not the amenities that initially grab your attention when first arriving in Tofino, but the stunning back-drop of glistening waters and lush green hills. The west coast province of British Columbia offers some spectacular scenery, mainly comprising mountainous terrain, beautiful clear lakes and expansive forests; Tofino exhibits these qualities in immaculate order.

At the height of the summer, Tofino's population swells to double its usual number. This would typically put tremendous pressure on a small community, however it is very well equipped to handle the annual influx. There are a few good hostels in the village, most notably the HI-hostel, Whalers On The Point, and located on the outskirts of the village are a few hotels, including the delightfully named Wickaninnish Inn.

Despite its size, there is much to do on the peninsula, especially of the outdoor pursuits variety. Whale watching, sea kayaking, hiking and visiting the hot springs are among the most popular. However, it is another activity that really makes Tofino a sought after destination. Considered one of the best places for surfing in Canada, Tofino attracts a young, ‘hip' crowd seeking good waves and good times. It is this youthful exuberance that creates a unique, mobile atmosphere around the community. During the summer there are a wealth of events in the village to keep the dwellers entertained. Bands from larger towns on the Island and even Vancouver make the trip to Tofino to play to an enthusiastic crowd at the Village Hall. The main bar in the village centre consistently provides entertainment for the local residents with Karaoke and DJ nights, which are well attended. Visitors to the village are always warmly welcomed and are encouraged to get involved with the singing and dancing. The villagers themselves create much of the entertainment with barbeques and late night, campfire-lit parties a frequent occurrence. Fondly referred to as “a quaint little drinking village with a surfing problem”, it is this fun-seeking mentality that has made Tofino as notorious for its drink-fuelled antics as it is for surfing.