Tofino, BC: A Family-Friendly Guide

Things to do in Tofino with or without kids

Beach: Surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, swimming or relaxing. You can do it all. The beaches are sandy and wide and the waves are good. My family spent hours each day boogie boarding and playing in the waves. Pro tip: If you don’t bring your own wetsuit, you can rent one at one of the many surf shops in town. We rented ours at Live to Surf in downtown Tofino. Live to Surf brands itself as the very first surf shop in town dating back to the early 1980’s. Below is a list of a few beaches in the area. We loved Chesterman Beach.

• Chesterman Beach

• Long Beach

• Cox Bay Beach

• Wickaninnish Beach

• Tonquin Beach

• Middle Beach

Hiking: Stunning scenic hikes abound in this rugged wilderness. Tofino is bordered by the Pacific Rim National Park, an ancient temperate rainforest. We did the rainforest trail loops — both A and B — with the kids, and everyone loved it. Both loops are set on wooden boardwalks above the forest floor with bridges and stairs weaving through the rainforest. Although not a strenuous hike, I would not recommend it for those who aren’t super sturdy on their feet — such as the very young or very old — as there are lots of stairs and parts of the boardwalk do not have railings.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: The Schooner Cove trail winds through the rainforest and ends at the beach. As of August 2024, this trail is closed after storm damage.

Guided nature hike: We did a wonderful, guided hike along Chesterman Beach and the surrounding forest, and learned a lot about the fora and fauna of the area. We found a great local guide through our hotel.

Bike path: There’s an awesome bike path along the main road into town — Hwy 4. We borrowed bikes from our hotel and rode them into town, it was a great way to get around and see the local area.

Whale watching or bear tour: Whales, bears and bald eagles, oh my! We did our tours with the Whale Center in downtown Tofino. They were wonderful and very knowledgeable. Our guide, JY, was great: 10/10, would recommend. If you have little ones or are prone to sea sickness, I’d also recommend the bear tour over whale watching as it is in the inlet and was a very smooth ride. The location and scenery were absolutely gorgeous, and the jellyfish did not disappoint.

Tofino Sea Kayaking: Try a guided paddle to the Big Trees Trail on Meares Island and see some of the oldest cedar trees in the world.

Tofino Skatepark: The Tofino (Tuff City) Youth Park is a great space for skaters right in the middle of town. My son travels with his skateboard, so we are always on the lookout for local skateparks when we travel, and there just so happened to be a sweet little one right downtown in the local park.

Eagle Aerie Gallery: One of many art galleries in Tofino. This one displays and sells the amazing work of Roy Henry Vickers, a Canadian artist who produces beautiful art influenced by his First Nations heritage. The gallery is a stunning, traditional Northwest Coast longhouse with a carved and painted cedar plank exterior.

The Ucluelet Aquarium: A collect-and-release aquarium in Ucluelet just down the road from Tofino.

Storm Watching: Although we were there in July during a rare heat wave, storm watching is a popular past time here in the winter months. Storm season is typically November to the end of February or March and is a great time to come hunker down and watch the giant waves hit the Pacific coast. Tofino’s daytime temperatures range from low 40s in the fall and winter months to mid to high 60s in the summer.

Day trips

Hot Springs: Consider a day trip to the nearby Hot Springs Cove, accessible by boat or seaplane.

Shelter Restaurant: Great food, right on the water. Family-friendly. Try to grab a table on the deck overlooking the water. Make sure to book ahead. Popular with locals and tourists alike.

The Shed: Casual sister restaurant of Shelter. Order a soft serve at window, or grab a high table on the patio and people watch while you eat.

Gaia Grocery: A small natural foods store right downtown, perfect for healthy snacks or a takeaway bite.

End of the Road: A food container village at the end of the main street, literally at the end of the road. Lots of great options for family that can’t decide on what to eat. We ate here a few times; it was so good. My kids loved the Funky Monkey smoothies at Green Wave.

Wolf and the Fog: We didn’t get reservations here but wished we did. It was booked up our entire trip. Continues to top best of lists.

The Pointe: Upscale restaurant at The Wick with stunning views and excellent food. Worth a reservation just for the location. Make sure to request a table by the window. We celebrated our anniversary at The Pointe while on our trip and they went above and beyond to make it special.

Savary Island Pie Company: Waterfront restaurant, it’s kind of hard to find if you don’t know where you’re going, but worth the walk! Best breakfast we had all week and a great view. Good mix of locals and tourists.

Tofitian Cafe and Bakery: Great local spot with a cool vibe.

Chocolate Tofino: Homemade gelato and chocolates.

Wildside Grill: We didn't get a chance to eat here, but heard good things. It's right next to Chocolate Tofino.

Tacofino: Taco truck. Check website for location.