The Best 3 Day Itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet

Tofino and Ucluelet are undoubtedly two of my favorite destinations on Vancouver Island. Although this 3 Day Itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet is more laid-back compared to hiking Juan de Fuca in 3 days, it still offers endless outdoor adventures.

Tofino is a small, coastal town surrounded by the ocean, rainforest and stunning beaches. On our way to the West Coast, just along the Highway, we even spotted a bear still looking all ruffled from its hibernation. If you didn’t know it already, Vancouver Island has one of the densest black bear populations in the world.

In this blog post, you’ll find a 3 day itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet, complete with tips, highlights, and some of my personal favorites.

Overview: 3 Day Itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet

• Location: Tofino and Ucluelet, West Coast on Vancouver Island
• Distance from Vancouver: in total 5 hours (the ferry to Nanaimo is just under 2h, the drive from Nanaimo to Tofino or Ucluelet is around 3h)
• How to get to Tofino: ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and then drive on Highway 4 to Tofino
• How many days to spend in Tofino: 3 days minimum, but ideally 1 week or more
• Where to stay: Pacific Sands Beach Resort, Airbnbs or campgrounds
• Main activities: surfing, whale watching, bear watching, hot springs cove, hiking

How to Get to Tofino and Ucluelet

The main way to reach Tofino and Ucluelet is by taking the ferry from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Nanaimo (Vancouver Island). From there, follow Highway 4 all the way to the West Coast. At the final junction, turn left for Ucluelet or right for Tofino.

We decided to leave on a Friday evening and spend the first night in Nanaimo to avoid the ferry traffic. Although we considered driving Highway 4 to Tofino that night as part of our 3 day itinerary to Tofino, we opted against it. At night, wild animals often cross the main road, and there’s a high risk of hitting them. They can suddenly jump out of the bushes or forest, and even if you’re driving within the speed limit, the risk remains significant.

The highway on Vancouver Island is well maintained with some windy roads at certain points but generally it’s not difficult to drive on.

Local Tip: Make sure to book the ferry well in advance! Around the May long weekend or during the summer, reservations can sell out quickly. If you don’t have a booking, you’ll likely end up waiting in the standby line for at least one ferry, which could add extra hours to your road trip.

Best Time to Visit Tofino and Ucluelet

There’s no wrong time to visit Tofino and Ucluelet, but the best time is generally between May and September. However, if you’re looking for storm watching and fewer crowds, the months from November to February are perfect.

In my opinion, the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) offer a great balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds. You can still enjoy hiking, surfing, exploring the beaches, and taking part in excursions. However, keep in mind that the ocean breeze can make even sunny days feel cooler, and rain is always a possibility.

Where to Stay For a 3 Day Itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet

There are various accommodation options between Tofino and Ucluelet, on the West Coast. If you prefer staying closer to Tofino, one of my favorite resorts is Pacific Sands Beach Resort, though it can be a bit pricey. I recommend checking during the shoulder season, when they often offer great deals. Alternatively, you can look for options on Airbnb or Booking, but keep in mind that accommodations in Tofino can be quite expensive.

We decided to stay in Ucluelet, just a 35-minute drive from Tofino, for a quieter and more budget-friendly option. Looking back, I’d do the same. We booked an Airbnb near the Wild Pacific Trail, enjoying the proximity to the ocean and outdoor activities, while still being close to restaurants and pubs to explore in the evening.

Campgrounds are another popular alternative. I recommend booking well in advance if you’re visiting during the peak summer months or long weekends. These are my favorite campgrounds in Tofino and Ucluelet:

1. Bella Pacifica Campground: 4 km from Tofino, on Mackenzie Beach, excellent for visiting the Pacific Rim National Park, open between March and November.
2. Chrystal Cove Beach Resort: 4 km from Tofino, on Mackenzie Beach, glamping and cabin experiences are also available.
3. Surf Grove Campground: 8 km from Tofino, on Cox Bay, very popular for beginner surfers.
4. Green Point Campground: 12 km from Tofino and Ucluelet, on Long Beach, open between May and October.
5. Surf Junction Campground: 33 km from Tofino, 7 km from Ucluelet, just 10 minutes from Long Beach, known for its amazing surfing

Note: Green Point Campground is one of the most affordable options near Tofino, with rates between $30 and $40 per night. In comparison, Bella Pacifica’s beachfront sites range from $75 to $130, and MacKenzie Beach charges $50 to $90, depending on the season and site type.

Top Beaches on a 3 Day Itinerary to Tofino

The area around Ucluelet is mostly rocky, with only a couple of small sandy beaches, like Big Beach and Little Beach. Therefore, in this section I will only cover the beaches near Tofino.

Most beaches around Tofino are great for surfing, but a few are particularly beginner-friendly due to their soft, sandy bottoms. When learning to surf, the focus is on balance and getting up on the board, which often means a lot of falling. Sandy beaches are ideal because they’re safer and more forgiving than rocky ones.

My favorite beaches near Tofino are:

1. Mackenzie Beach: is known for its calm waters and gentle waves, thanks to the large rocks that shelter it from most of the wind. This beach is ideal for families with kids, but would not recommend to those interested in surfing.
2. Chesterman Beach: popular for surf lessons, at low tide you can even walk out to Frank Island.
3. Cox Bay: is a crescent-shaped beach known for Tofino surf competitions. It’s great for surfing, watching sunsets, exploring tidepools, or hiking to the Cox Bay Viewpoint. However, parking can be challenging.
4. Long Beach: within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, is the longest beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island, stretching over 16 km. This is where I went surfing, next to the iconic boulder sitting at the water’s edge.
5. Wickaninnish Beach: is located within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and adjacent Long Beach. As with Long Beach, it’s a great surfing spot but more suited for expert surfers.

Local Tip: For beginner surfers, Cox Bay, Chesterman, and Long Beach are great options. You can book lessons or rent gear from shops between Tofino and Ucluelet. You can find more details in the “3 Day Itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet” section below.

Main Excursions from Tofino

Tofino is not only the surfing capital of British Columbia but it’s also a perfect spot to go whale or bear watching, as well as head to the Hot Springs Cove. These three excursions are very popular but are absolutely worth it if you’re visiting Tofino for the first time.

In fact, the West Coast of Vancouver Island is one of the best places to go whale watching. Grey whales and humpback whales migrate towards Alaska and they stop to feed along the west coast of Vancouver Island. In general, most tours are priced similarly, so the main factor in choosing one is typically the most convenient departure time.

Whale Watching

• Best Time: March – October
• Leaving From: Tofino and Ucluelet
• Duration: 2.5-3 hours
• What to expect: spot Grey Whales, Humpback Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales)
• Costs: $159 (excl. taxes & fees)
• Tour Companies: Jamie’s, Adventure Tofino, Ahous, Remote Passages

Bear Watching

• Best Time: April – October
• Leaving From: Tofino and Ucluelet
• Duration: 2.5-3 hours
• What to expect: opportunity to spot black bears emerge from the rainforest but also to view wildlife such as seals, porpoises, eagles and herons.
• Costs: $159 (excl. taxes & fees)
• Tour Companies: Jamie’s, Adventure Tofino, Ahous, Remote Passages

Hot Springs Cove

• Best Time: year-round
• Leaving From: Tofino
• Duration: 5.5-6.5 hours
• What to expect: Hot Spring Cove is only accessible by boat; after a 2 km hike you’ll reach the springs; you can also spot wildlife along the way to the springs
• Costs: $230-$240 (excl. taxes & fees)
• Tour Companies: Jamie’s, Adventure Tofino, Ahous, Remote Passages

Safety Essentials in Bear Country

Hiking in British Columbia is popular in summer, but you’ll share the trails with wildlife. In fact, bear sightings are common from spring to fall, so it’s important to know how to stay safe. British Columbia is home to about a quarter of Canada’s black bears and half of its grizzly bears.

Below are some tips and safety essentials when encountering bears.

1. Be alert and avoid approaching bears, especially bear cubs (although they’re extremely cute).
2. Avoid getting close to bears, and never try to approach them for a photo.
3. Never (and I really mean, Never!) attempt to feed a bear or leave food behind. As the saying goes ‘a fed bear is a dead bear‘, this really is the case. If bears get used to human food, they’ll lose their instinctive fear of humans and get closer, becoming a danger.
4. On trails talk loudly and make your presence known. If you surprise a bear, they might react by attacking.
5. At most trailheads, you can find updated on recent bear activity. Keep that in mind before adventuring in the backcountry.
6. If you’re hiking with a dog, keep them on a leash. An unleashed dog may bring a bear back to you.
7. If sleeping in the backcountry, reduce or eliminate odors from yourself and properly store food. Overnight, don’t keep food in your tent or items such as deodorant.
8. Don’t run from a bear, they’ll catch up with you faster than you think. Bears can run as fast as horses, climb trees and have excellent vision.
9. If you encounter bear cubs, be aware that the mother is likely nearby. Stay alert, as she can become very aggressive when defending her cubs.
10. Lastly, carry bear spray and have it within easy reach, in case you need it.

3 Day Itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet

If you have a long weekend ahead and want to plan a 3 day itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet, read my recommendations below. Obviously, if you have extra time, you can spend more days exploring the west coast and Tofino area. For instance, you can take one of the excursions or just relax by the beach.

I decided to skip the excursions on this 3 day itinerary to Tofino, as I had already been on a whale watching tour in Vancouver. Additionally, I spent 3 days hiking Juan de Fuca Trail where you can spot black bears along the shores. So, I decided to dedicate the trip to surfing.

Day 1: Explore Ucluelet and Hike Wild Pacific Trail

To begin our 3 day itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet, we left Nanaimo early in the morning. We drove for under 3 hours traversing the island to the west coast and on our way we even spotted a bear. This was my very first encounter with a bear, so you can imagine how exited I was. (Note: Keep your distance from bears. This photo was taken with a zoom lens.)

We reached Ucluelet just before lunch and decided to stop for a bite at Yayu Cafe. It’s a plant based cafe with a cute outdoors space to enjoy your meal. The food was delicious!

To continue, we decided to hike the Wild Pacific Trail, from Brown’s Beach to Rocky Bluffs. It’s an easy hike along the rocky coast with amazing views over the ocean. The round trip is about 7.4 km and takes just under 2 hours.

To finish up the day, we headed to Ucluelet Brewing Company for a bite to eat and a refreshing beer.

Day 2: Head to Tofino and Hike to Cox Bay Lookout

As I was traveling with friends and they preferred to sleep in a bit longer, I decided to head out for a short hike around the Lighthouse in Ucluelet. It’s a 3 km long loop hike that takes around 1 hour to complete. I really loved the ocean views and how quiet it was early in the morning.

For lunch we stopped at the famous Tacofino truck, but going back I would probably skip it. I mean, the food was delicious, but the waiting line to order and to have the food prepared was scandalous. Overall, I think we waited for 2 hours!

In the afternoon, we headed to Cox Bay to enjoy the beach. The parking lot at the entrance of the beach is quite small, so I recommend either getting there early or parking along the main road.

We headed then to the Cox Bay Lookout, which is a short hike up at the end of the beach. For a total of 140 meters of elevation gain, you have spectacular views over surrounding islands and rainforest. The hike itself is a bit of a scramble, so make sure you wear sturdy shoes.

Day 3: Rent a Surf Board and Head to Long Beach

Our 3 day itinerary to Tofino and Ucluelet couldn’t finish without surfing. We rented our surfboards and wetsuits at Surf Junction Surf School, where you can also book a class if you want.

Then we headed to Long Beach, put our wetsuits on and headed straight for the waves. I would still consider myself a beginner surfer but I love trying new sports and challenging myself in different ways.

It is important that you watch out the current and don’t go too far out into the waters if you’re not comfortable. Although the water was freezing, the constant movement keeps you warm, and you hardly notice the cold after a while.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! It’s so fun and rewarding once you catch your first wave.