If you’re seeking the perfect combo of sun and water on Vancouver Island, you’re in luck! The island is home to some of the most picturesque beaches in British Columbia, especially the beaches in Tofino.
Located on the tip of a peninsula, the charming town of Tofino boasts an abundance of beachfront real estate and unforgettable sunset views. With over 35 km of coastline along the magnificent Pacific Ocean, it’s no wonder that Tofino has earned the reputation as the surf capital of Canada.
Don’t let Tofino’s small size fool you – this town is bursting with life and everywhere you look is an outdoor adventure. If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver Island, keep reading to see our picks for the best beaches in Tofino!
Best Beach In Tofino
Chesterman Beach
Rated one of the top 50 beaches in the world, Chesterman Beach is a hit for tourists and locals alike.
The beautiful golden sand stretches for miles and it’s perfect for sunbathing, watching wildlife, taking a stroll, or building sandcastles – so make sure you bring your toys! The waters at this Tofino beach are refreshingly cold and it’s a great spot to catch some waves or take a dip.
The south end of Chesterman Beach has calmer waters if you are out with the kids or just learning to surf. During low tide, you can explore the tide pools filled with sea creatures or head out and explore some of the sea caves. The beach is equipped with many amenities to cater to your day of playing in the sun.
After ending your day with a beach bonfire, you’ll certainly be tuckered out. The Hotel Zed Tofino is a kilometer away and is a fan favorite with its unique and beautiful rooms. It’s close to many great trails, scooter rentals, and also the zipline, giving you lots of options for more fun things to do once you’re all rested up.
Best Tofino Beaches For Families
Mackenzie Beach
The only other beach besides Chesterman that allows bonfires is Mackenzie Beach. Even in the summer, the ocean is cold so it’s nice to gather around the fire to warm up after swimming.
Mackenzie Beach provides more shelter than some of the other beaches in Tofino, making it the perfect spot for kids. It’s dog friendly, and there are tons of tide pools around and cliffs to explore so if the water is too cold, you won’t be bored.
Mackenzie Beach is home to Mackenzie Beach Resort and also Crystal Cove Tofino Beach Resort. These are two of the best resorts in Tofino and offer playgrounds, yoga, rentals, hot tubs, and a beachfront sauna. If you are looking for a Tofino beach cabin for the family, you have many different choices between the resorts.
Wickaninnish Beach
Just a little ways south of Tofino, you will find Wickaninnish Beach, also known as “Wick Beach”.
This popular Tofino beach offers everything you could possibly want so make sure to pack your sunscreen because you will be outside all day! From birdwatching to hiking to swimming, the beach is a great place to explore as a family.
The riptides can create strong currents at Wickaninnish so make sure you check the conditions before venturing into the waters.
Just 14 km away you can call the Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina home for a few nights. It’s a great spot, located near many attractions and its newly renovated rooms have a cool, Canadian modern cabin feel to them.
Tonquin Beach
The stunning, sandy, and sheltered Tonquin Beach is one of the best Tofino beaches for families. It has calmer waters than some of the other beaches in Tofino but plenty to see and do. The sand is ideal for setting up a beach tent and making a nice, chill camp for the day.
Tonquin Beach features plenty of rocks to climb on and your family will have a great time seeing all of the tropical-looking sea creatures in the waters. There’s also a nice boardwalk leading through the forest to get there but the downside is there are stairs to get to the beach making it not so mobile-friendly.
The fabulous Duffin Cove Oceanfront Lodging is the perfect place to bring the family after a day at the beach. It’s within walking distance from many cafes and restaurants, and also a quick drive to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
If you’re looking for a relaxing stay at one of the Tofino hotels on the beach, this is it.
Best Tofino Beaches For Water Sports
Long Beach
Aptly named as it is the longest beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Long Beach is one of the top Tofino beaches for everything water related.
The surfing is great here but so is paddle boarding, skimboarding, kayaking, and swimming. You will find a magical array of crabs, shells, sea urchins, and starfish along the shoreline as well.
The beach itself will take your breath away with its incredibly fine sand and picturesque scenery. It is surrounded by a rainforest backdrop and scattered driftwood providing lots of spots to settle in.
The Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is less than 5 km away from Long Beach. It is a highly-rated hotel with some of the best views of the Pacific, making it one of the best places to stay in Tofino.
Cox Bay Beach
Cox Bay Beach is one of the best Tofino beaches to spend a day on the water. It’s also great for exploring, swimming, sunbathing, and catching some beautiful sunsets.
The California vibes of the beach will have you feeling like you aren’t in Canada but the majestic Canadian cliffs and scenery will bring you back to reality.
Mother Nature has left many fallen trees around, which makes for the perfect bench seating to watch for birds or whales. There are many surrounding trails that are great for tiring kids out as they explore the forest and all its wonders.
The Cox Bay Beach Resort is one of the nicest Tofino hotels on the beach. Providing spectacular waterfront views, easy beach access, and various amenities, this highly-rated hotel is the place to stay! There are many different room choices and many prefer to fall asleep to the calming sound of waves washing onto the shore.
Tofino Beaches With Stunning Scenery
Hot Springs Cove
If you’ve hit up a few of the beaches in Tofino and are done with the cold water, maybe it’s time to head over to the hot springs in Tofino instead.
Accessible by water taxi 1.5 hours northwest of the city, the natural hot springs are a magnificent oasis surrounded by lush old-growth forests and incredible ocean views.
Once you arrive, you will have the choice of seven natural geothermal rock pools to soak in nearby a cascading waterfall. You should plan on spending the full day out on the island as it is truly a zen, spa experience in nature. Make sure to pack food, water, a towel, and warm clothes for the ride back.
After your relaxing day at the hot springs in Tofino, you’ll want to head over somewhere to continue being cozy for the night. The Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort is one of the top resorts in Tofino, offering beautiful rooms, a fitness center and it is right on the beach if you want to wind down with an evening walk.
Sunset Beach
If you’re on the hunt for an amazing sunset, you want to head to Sunset Beach, located on Middle Beach. It’s a little bit of a trek to get there but once you arrive you’ll come to a secluded boardwalk overlooking the serene area.
You can throw down a beach mat and take it all in as the sun goes down and reflects its beauty on the Pacific.
The Middle Beach Lodge is a rustic beautiful Tofino beach resort that gives you a taste of the Canadian wilderness. Located in a private, tree-enclosed area near the water, you can pick from a variety of rooms including their romantic tree house suite.
READ MORE: 15 BEST BEACHES ON VANCOUVER ISLAND
Most Secluded Tofino Beaches
Florencia Bay
Surrounded by cliffs, Florencia Bay is the best beach in Tofino if you’re looking for privacy. It’s fairly secluded away from houses and traffic and the beach is rarely busy. You will see boats out fishing and surfers or boogie boarders hitting up the waves but besides them, you might have the sand to yourself.
The highly-rated Bayshore Waterfront Inn offers wallet-friendly rooms and unreal views. It’s a great place to catch some zzz’s for the night before you head out for more island adventuring.
Combers Beach
A quiet Tofino beach that is great for picnicking, swimming, or sunbathing is Combers Beach. There will most likely be more sea lions than people at Combers, but bring your binoculars because they’re pretty far offshore.
Combers beach is a great spot for avoiding crowds but still getting that beach vacation you dreamed of. There are also many great hiking trails around so be prepared to spend a whole day at this natural wonderland.
The Tofino Motel Harborview overlooks the boats in the harbor and is a great choice for a temporary home away from home. Nestled along the coast, this quaint motel has rave reviews and is right in Tofino so you can see everything the town has to offer.
Enjoying The Beaches In Tofino
The Tofino beaches are some of the best beaches in British Columbia. You will not regret a trip to Canada’s surf capital, even if you don’t surf. There is so much more to do on Vancouver Island, especially for those of you who love the outdoors.
Whether you’re looking to sunbathe, watch wildlife, have a beach bbq, or just relax in one of the resorts in Tofino, you will be able to do it all in this wonderful little town.
