10 free or cheap things to do in Tofino
Planning an adventure in Tofino? This island surfing town has a boho vibe, thick forests, and a soundtrack of waves crashing along the shores. It is, as many travellers can confirm, a dream. Located on the western side of Vancouver Island, this small coastal village has gained increasing popularity in recent years, but with that has come increasing prices.
That being said, there are still many free or affordable ways to experience a weekend in Tofino without breaking the bank. In fact, between Tofino’s incredible nature, fascinating wildlife, whimsical town centre and stunning ocean views, there’s no shortage of things to do for budget travellers. Below are 10 incredible free or cheap activities to plan for a weekend in Tofino.
1. Hike to Cox Bay Lookout. Cost: $0
If you’re looking for a quick hike with a fantastic view, look no further than the Cox Bay Lookout. This hour-long hike, located at the end of Cox Beach, is a perfect place to take in the sunset after a day full of activities. The trail, though relatively short, is somewhat technical, so proper footwear is recommended. From the peak, you can see the small islands off the coast and watch surfers catch waves below.
2. Spot wildfire. Cost: $0
Wildlife is abundant in Tofino, so definitely make that a key focus of your itinerary. Some marine animals that you’re likely to spot in the waters around Tofino include harbour seals, sea otters, sea lions, grey whales, porpoises, and humpback whales. While these creatures are often located a bit further offshore, they do venture closer at times and, depending on the season, can be quite abundant. There’s also fantastic tide pooling at low tide on many of the beaches, where you can find sea stars and anemones.
3. Take a stroll down Main Street. Cost: $0
One of the best ways to get to know a new place is just to explore at a leisurely pace. Taking a walk down Tofino’s idyllic town centre is a great way to spend a morning. Take in the local art, coffee, shopping, and artisan goods, all while appreciating the quaint nature of this coastal town. If you’ve got time to kill, grab a coffee and a comfy spot and watch the world go by.
4. Visit Florencia Bay. Cost: $0
My personal favourite beach in the Pacific Rim area is Florencia Bay. If you’re looking for a quiet and secluded spot to spend a few hours, this is one of the best places to do so. Think quality time with friends to enjoy a picnic, some sunshine, a beverage, or a sunset. It also connects to some great hiking trails that follow boardwalks over an abundantly covered forest floor.
5. Attend a local event. Cost: $0-$20
Keep your eye on the local events calendar on Tourism Tofino’s website because Tofino hosts loads of events, and many of them are free or budget-friendly. Examples include informative talks from local naturalists, community yoga classes, film screenings, and larger festivals like the yearly Pacific Whale festival held every March. This would also be a great way to connect with locals, have interesting conversations, and learn more in-depth context about the area.
6. Experience the rainforest. Cost: $0
Did you know that the area around Tofino is a rainforest? The rainforest boardwalk trail, midway between Tofino and Ucluelet, is a beautiful place to experience the magic of a temperate rainforest and learn all about what makes the ecosystem around Tofino so unique. Not to mention, it’s an amazing place to spot the area’s infamous gigantic trees! Take your time to really absorb the sounds, sights, and smells of nature here. This is your time to unwind!
7. Picnic at the beach. Cost: $20
Stop by one of Tofino’s grocery stores, or better yet, a local market, and pick up some goodies to take to the beach for an epic picnic. Mackenzie Beach is a fantastic picnic spot with room to sit both on the beach or on the large grassy area above it. If you’re going in the fall, bring a sweater and, of course, always come prepared for rain in Tofino.
8. Rent a bike. Cost: $35 for 4 hours
Looking for a unique and relatively inexpensive way to see the coastline? Several Tofino companies offer bike rentals in both standard and electric formats. Take the multi-use trail and choose your own adventure. The entire trail is 44 kilometres end-to-end, but if you don’t feel like completing the entire trail, each section is as beautiful as the next, so whichever section you choose, you can’t go wrong. If you’re staying at HI Tofino, you can even grab a bike right from the Adventure Centre—rent by the hour or the day, add a surfboard rack, and head straight for the beach at your own pace.
9. Go beach combing. Cost: $0
Tofino and the surrounding area have no shortage of long sandy beaches! Spend an afternoon strolling along Wickanninish or Long Beach in search of unique shells, pieces of driftwood or sea glass fragments, and keep suggestion number two in mind while you’re at it. When beach combing, keep Leave No Trace policies in mind, which include leaving places as you left them as much as possible.
10. Stargaze. Cost: $0
Tofino is located in a relatively remote area, which makes it an ideal place for stargazing. Stargazing on any clear night is pretty fantastic, but if you can align your visit with an astrological event such as a meteor shower, you will be in for a real treat! My personal favourite place to stargaze from is Long Beach.
By no means is this list exhaustive, but hopefully it has provided you with some inspiration and the confidence that you can experience the magic of Tofino without going over budget. Now get out there and enjoy the wonder of the West Coast!
