Tofino in Spring: Why It Belongs on Every Canadian Bucket List

Over my 27 years I have travelled to 40 countries across 5 continents. So it says something that one of the most beautiful places I have ever been turned out to be right in my own backyard.

I was flying home from Asia after 15 months away when a spontaneous stopover in Vancouver snowballed into a road trip to Tofino with friends. It was the beginning of April, technically off season, so I went in with no expectations.

What we found were three sunny spring days of hiking, surfing and wandering. Sunny days in Tofino in spring are not guaranteed, but when they happen they are absolutely magical. And without the summer crowds or the price tag that comes with them.

If you are wondering whether Tofino in spring is worth it, the answer is an easy yes. An underrated surf town on the global scale, and an even more underrated time to go.

Why Visit Tofino in Spring

Here is what makes visiting Tofino in spring worth it:

Fewer crowds: The crowds simply do not exist. We never struggled to find parking at the beaches, the trails never felt busy and there was plenty of space in the water for surfing. The town was quiet but almost everything was still open.

Lower accommodation prices: Our accommodation would have cost around 70% more during the summer based on the prices I checked later. If you’re travelling on a budget, spring offers much better value.

Peak whale watching season: We didn’t end up going whale watching, but spring is actually one of the best times to go. More than 20,000 grey whales migrate north along the Pacific coast between March and April, and many stop to feed in the waters around Tofino.

Forests are incredibly lush: Coming from Winnipeg, I’m used to spring meaning bare trees and grey surroundings. Tofino couldn’t be more different. The rainforest stays green year-round, but in spring it feels especially alive after months of rain.

Consistent surf: Even as a beginner surfer, I noticed how clean and predictable the waves were. They rolled in nice and straight, making it easier to read the ocean than at many of the other places I’ve surfed around the world. A great time to learn or improve.

The atmosphere: Stepping into Tofino’s fresh, crisp air felt like giving my lungs a reset. As a hobby photographer, I also loved the softer spring light, which gave everything a gentle glow. Tofino feels incredibly peaceful in the Spring.

The Drive to Tofino

The drive to Tofino is one of those routes that makes the cliché about the journey actually feel true. As someone who grew up on the prairies, I still find it hard to believe this is part of my own country.

We drove from Victoria, which takes around four hours, so it’s worth breaking the trip up with a few stops:

Plan your first stop about an hour in at Duncan. We stopped at Duncan Garage Café & Bakery, a vegetarian cafe in a historic building that is great for breakfast and coffee.

From there, it is another hour to Coombs, home to the famous goats on the roof at the Old Country Market. It is touristy, but still worth a stop. Do not leave without picking up some snacks at their counter like honey garlic salmon jerky and spicy pepperoni sticks.

After Coombs, the final stretch to Tofino is just over two hours and this is where the drive really changes. We put on our favourite albums in rotation and crossed to the other side of Vancouver Island.

The road winds through dense forest and mountain passes, with snow-capped peaks appearing in the distance and large lakes stretching alongside the highway. It is easily one of the most beautiful drives I have done in Canada.

Where to Stay in Tofino | Whalers Guesthouse

We stayed at Whalers Guesthouse, and from the moment we walked in I knew it was going to elevate our trip. The guesthouse sits right on the water with incredible ocean views from the common areas, and if you book one of the ocean view rooms, right from your bed too.

The three of us shared a spacious private room with a shared bathroom. Having stayed in more than 85 hostels over the years, I can honestly say this is one of the cleanest and coziest I have ever stayed in. Not modern minimalist cozy, more like grandparents’ cottage cozy. Stone fireplaces, comfortable couches and big windows overlooking the beautiful surroundings.

The lovely receptionists can also book tours and activities for you and get you discounts.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Tofino that offers incredible value without feeling like a budget stay, I think it’s an excellent choice.

Things to Do in Tofino in Spring

Take a Surf Lesson at Surf Sister

One of the things I was most excited for was finally surfing in Canada. After learning to surf surrounded by palm trees in places like Bali and Sri Lanka, paddling out surrounded by evergreen forests felt surreal.

We booked a lesson with Surf Sister and I loved that all of the instructors were women. I was not cold at all despite it being April, your full wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves keep you toasty. It was my first time surfing in a full wetsuit, which definitely made things harder, but it was absolutely worth it to experience surfing in Canada.

Walk the Tonquin Trail

We started the Tonquin Trail right from our hostel and walked an easy 5.5k through rainforest and along the coast, walking along Tonquin, Third, Middle and Mackenzie Beach. It took about an hour and a half and being spring, we had the trail almost entirely to ourselves.

If you’re lucky, you might spot marine life along the way.

Explore Tofino Town

Tofino is small but full of character. I loved spending an afternoon wandering between surf shops, local artisan stores, cafés and bookstores, while one of our friends went for a massage.

There is a real Canadian warmth here. People are friendly and happy to chat, and in spring it feels like the town is slowly waking up after winter.

The town sits right on the water, so it’s also fun to just take in the surroundings. Watch seaplanes take off and land, fishing boats come and go, and look out to the small islands scattered in the inlet.

Drive to Ucluelet for Sunset

One evening we drove about 40 minutes south to Ucluelet for sunset along the Wild Pacific Trail near the lighthouse. We climbed out onto the rocks and watched the sun disappear into the Pacific in the crisp spring air.

It ended up being one of my favourite parts of the whole trip. There were a few other people watching alongside us so it had that wholesome quality of strangers sharing something beautiful together. It made me feel so happy and proud to be exploring my own country.

Where to Eat and Drink in Tofino

Most places were already open by April so you are not limited for options in the spring. These are the spots I visited:

• Shed – A relaxed dinner spot with burgers, bowls and solid comfort food.
• Tacofino (food truck) – A Tofino staple for tacos and burritos. Do not skip.
• Savary Island Pie Company – Great for breakfast or a pastry right on the water. The setting is beautiful even if the coffee did not quite live up to it.
• Chocolate Tofino – The hot chocolate alone is worth stopping for, and the handmade chocolates are delicious.
• Rhino Coffee House – Great breakfast but again, the coffee was a bit of a let down. Tofino clearly has a coffee gap that someone needs to fill.
• Ukee Poke – My favourite meal of the trip. Super fresh poke with great flavour, found inside West Coast Shapes Surf Shop near Ucluelet. They also have a truck near Cox Bay Beach.

Is Tofino Worth Visiting in Spring: My Honest Verdict

Yes. Tofino in spring is an underrated time to visit. Quiet, lush, affordable and unhurried. I would definitely visit again in spring, with a quick check of the weather first.

I have travelled a lot of the world and Tofino still stands out. Not because it is the most dramatic or exotic place I have been, but because it is memorable in its own way. A small surf town surrounded by rainforest and an evergreen coastline with beautiful trails and friendly people. I didn’t know places like this existed in Canada and I grew up here. It made me so proud to be home.

If you are visiting Canada and have never heard of it, add it to your list.