OUR DESTINATIONS
Let us help you find your perfect holiday by phoning us on
We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- North America
- Canada
- British Columbia
- Vancouver Island
- Tofino
Tofino
Once a fishing and logging town, Tofino, on the Pacific Rim of
Vancouver Island, is swiftly becoming a popular holiday destination
for travellers from around the globe. Tucked away at the entrance
of the Clayoquot Sound, the area is home to the Pacific Rim
National Park, gorgeous sandy stretches of beach, islands with
spectacular old growth forest (still under threat from logging
companies), hot springs, and Long Beach, Canada's premier surfing
spot. Home to just under 2,000 locals, Tofino, with its mild
climate, is resplendent with natural beauty. The area boasts plenty
of activities for the visitor, including kayaking, whale watching,
surfing and fishing. Hot Springs Cove, accessible only by air or
sea, is open year round and visitors can soak in rock pools filled
with boiling spring water cooled by ocean surf. Other popular
sights include the Eik Cedar, an 800-year old tree that was rescued
by residents after it was condemned to be felled; the Tofino
Botanical Gardens with acres of forest, shoreline and gardens and
the Whale Centre Maritime Museum housing fascinating artefacts. The
Wickannish Interpretive Centre, containing interesting information
about the region and the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, the area's
original inhabitants, is well worth a visit. Tofino offers visitors
the perfect combination of a range of activities, as well as a
chance to relax and put their feet up, surrounded by unparalleled
beauty.
Information & Facts
Activities
There are a number of activities in Tofino and its surrounds,
with plenty to enthral and entertain holidaymakers year round.
Kayaking here is excellent; numerous bays and inlets provide a
great way to explore the area in a sheltered manner, while the more
adventurous can head out into the open ocean or opt to kayak with
Orcas. Whale watching is also a popular activity as pods of
migratory grey whales frequent the area in mid-spring, with guided
tours on offer by various charter companies. Tofino and
neighbouring Ucluelet celebrate this event with the entertaining
and interesting Pacific Rim Whale Festival from mid-March to
mid-April. Other activities in Tofino include top-class fishing,
scuba diving, windsurfing, hiking through the rainforest or beach
hiking, golfing, beach combing, eco tours, cultural tours and even
winter storm watching, as winds whip up the ocean and create huge
waves that crash spectacularly on the shore. Surfing, of course, is
immensely popular in Tofino, with Long Beach offering the best surf
in the country, particularly in winter and a unique Surf Camp is
available, as well as an all-women surf school.
Language
The official languages are English and French
(predominantly in Quebec).
Money
The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), which is divided
into 100 cents. One-dollar coins are also known as loonies (due to
the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar
coins as toonies. Banks and bureaux de change will change money and
travellers cheques, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be
as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are
plentiful. US Dollars are largely accepted, though due to fraud,
larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian
dollars.
Restaurants
Holiday visitors can find a number of restaurants in Tofino,
ranging from pizza and sushi to regionally grown and organic
handmade foods, fresh seafood, as well as Nuu-Chah-Nulth First
Nations cuisine, deli-style offerings and classic Italian. There
are also a number of catering services available.
Shopping
There are plenty of shops for holidaymakers in Tofino, with many
specialising in First Nations art and crafts. The Bella Boutique on
the Pacific Rim Highway specialises in unique Canadian fashion,
jewellery and art; while the Tofino Gift Company carries a
selection of traditional Vancouver souvenirs like sweaters, local
art, and woodturnings.
Time
Canada covers six time zones, from GMT 8 in the west to GMT
-3.5 in the east.