Nanaimo to Tofino Road Trip: 14 Amazing Stops on the Way

A Nanaimo to Tofino road trip is a classic Vancouver Island experience. This is one of the most scenic drives on Vancouver Island and a perfect long weekend getaway from Vancouver.

The drive from Nanaimo to Tofino is about 3 hours without stops and covers 207 km. While you could head to Tofino directly, I would recommend taking your time and stopping along the way.

In this article, I’ve put together some of the best stops along the way that can be easily done on a day trip to Tofino. I’ve also included travel tips, highlights and additional information for you to make the most of this journey.

Snapshot: Nanaimo to Tofino Drive

14 Amazing Things To Do Between Nanaimo and Tofino

1. Drive to Coombs and Stop at Goats on the Roof

• Distance from Nanaimo: 44 km (40 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 161 km (2 h 20 min drive)

Goats on the Roof is a must on a Vancouver Island road trip. Although many refer to it as Goats on the Roof, the place is actually the location of Coombs Country Market.

Since we took the first ferry to Nanaimo, we arrived early in the morning and managed to beat both the crowds and the parking chaos. But in summer, this area gets very busy and finding a spot can be tricky.

Whether you’re coming for the novelty or the snacks, it’s definitely worth a stop on a Nanaimo to Tofino road trip. This is also a perfect opportunity to grab freshly baked items or try the famous Billy G’s doughnuts.

2. Walk to Little Qualicum Falls

• Distance from Nanaimo: 57 km (45 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 153 km ( 2 h 15 min drive)

The next stop on our Nanaimo to Tofino road trip was Little Qualicum Falls, just a 5 minute drive from the Coombs Country Market. Not only is the hike to the waterfall very short but the trail is also easy to follow. We visited on a rainy day and the stop turned out to be just the right length. Long enough to get some fresh air, but short enough that we didn’t end up completely soaked.

3. Stop at Cathedral Grove

• Distance from Nanaimo: 66 km (50 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 141 km (2 h drive)

Cathedral Grove is one of the most popular stops between Nanaimo and Tofino. The trailhead is right next to the highway and very hard to miss. In fact, the bright road reflectors in the middle of the road make it easy to spot.

At Cathedral Grove you can see some of the oldest and tallest trees on Vancouver Island. A wooden boardwalk winds through the forest, guiding you among these ancient giants and offering a peaceful walk beneath moss and mist.

In summer, the parking lot at Cathedral Grove fills up quickly. If you can’t find a spot on the way to Tofino, you can stop on the way back instead. Although there is parking on the opposite side of the road, U-turns are not allowed. So it’s safer and easier to plan a stop on the return drive.

4. Hike to the Hole in the Wall

• Distance from Nanaimo: 79 km (1 h drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 128 km (1h 50 min drive)

Hole in the Wall was one of my favorite stops on the Nanaimo to Tofino road trip. It’s such a unique highlight and very worth the short hike to see it. In fact, this hole is naturally created, carved through a limestone rock wall.

Finding the trailhead can be a bit of a challenge at first. We actually drove around for a while before realizing it’s right off the highway on the left-hand side when driving from Nanaimo to Tofino. But there are no signs or markings, so you’ll need to know exactly where to look.

Parking at the trailhead is also a bit tricky. The best place is at the Coombs Candy Store just across the road. But you need to be very careful when crossing the road and pay attention to incoming traffic. Alternatively, there is space for about 3 cars to pull over at the trailhead itself, along the highway. In this case, just make sure you’re not blocking the road in any way.

5. Stop in Port Alberni

• Distance from Nanaimo: 86 km (1h 10 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 126 km (1h 50 min drive)

Port Alberni is located at the half way mark between Nanaimo and Tofino. This is also the largest service centre between the two towns, equipped with grocery shops, cafes and restaurants.

Despite feeling like part of the mainland, Port Alberni is an ocean city, connected to the Pacific Ocean through the Alberni Inlet, which stretches for about 40 km inland.

Also, cell phone signal between Port Alberni and Nanaimo can be spotty. So make sure you have offline maps and good music downloaded before entering this stretch of road.

6. Visit the Sproat Lake Petroglyphs

• Distance from Nanaimo: 95 km (1 h 20 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 113 km (1h 40 min drive)

Just a 10 minute drive from Port Alberni, you can find Sproat Lake. It’s a quiet area to take a break or even camp if you plan on staying overnight. But one of the main highlights here is the Sproat Lake Petroglyphs.

What are petroglyphs? They’re ancient rock carvings created by the Nuu-chah-nulth people on the shores of Sproat Lake.

To get to the Sproat Lake petroglyphs, start at the main parking lot and follow the signs along the lake shore. Then the trail will lead you to a small pier beside a rocky hill, where the carvings can be observed up close.

7. Hike to 5040 Peak (Detour Option)

• Distance from Nanaimo: 143 km (2h 5 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 83 km (1h 20 min drive)
• Hiking Stats: 7.9 km, 924 elevation gain

I’ve included the 5040 Peak hike in this Nanaimo to Tofino road trip because I believe it’s one of the best hikes on Vancouver Island. If you have a few extra days, you could even plan to camp overnight at Cobalt Lake (pictured above) or at the 5040 Peak alpine hut (requires a reservation).

The views from 5040 Peak are breathtaking, stretching as far as the Pacific Ocean. Also the 5040 Peak trailhead is conveniently located just around 1 hour from Tofino, making it an excellent option for a day hike, if you don’t want to camp.

🥾 Hiking Tip: another great hike on Vancouver Island is the Juan de Fuca trail!

8. Kennedy Lake Lookout

• Distance from Nanaimo: 160 km (2 h 15 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 47 km (45 min drive)

Kennedy Lake is the largest lake on Vancouver Island and can be seen straight from Highway 4. But for a better view, follow the directions to the Kennedy Lake Viewpoint, where you’ll find a newly built parking area and a short walk to fully take in the lake views.

9. Visit Ucluelet (Detour Option)

• Distance from Nanaimo: 182 km (2h 40 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 40 km (40 min drive)

Ucluelet is a small ocean town close to Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s west coast. The first time we spent three days in Tofino, we used Ucluelet as our home base, and we loved it! It’s quieter and less touristy compared to Tofino, but has some great hikes along the rocky shoreline, such as the Wild Pacific Trail.

💡Fun Fact: Ucluelet means “People of the Safe Harbour” in Nuu-chah-nulth, but locals often just call it “Ukee”.

10. Hike the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet (Detour Option)

• Distance from Nanaimo: 180 km (2h 30 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 38 km (35 min drive)

If you’re visiting Ucluelet, one of the main highlights here is the Wild Pacific Trail. You can either hike the Brown’s Beach to Rocky Bluffs trail or walk around the Lighthouse in Ucluelet. The trails are easy and mostly flat but the views are incredible. This is especially true during the storm watching season (November to March), when the waves crash against the rocky cliffs creating a dramatic natural spectacle.

💡Travel Tip: another place that reminds me a lot of Vancouver Island’s west coast is Olympic National Park in Washington State.

11. Hike in the Pacific Rim National Park

• Distance from Nanaimo: 176 km (2 h 30 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 10 km (10 min drive)

Pacific Rim National Park has some great short coastal hikes near Tofino. As any other national park in Canada, you’ll need either a Parks Canada day pass or the Discovery Pass for year-round access.

Some of the best hikes in Pacific Rim National Park are:

1. Willowbrae Trail (1.5 km one way)
2. Halfmoon Bay (1.8 km one way)
3. South Beach (800 m one way)
4. Nuu-chah-nulth (2.5 km one way)
5. Shoreline Bog (800 m loop)
6. Rainforest Trails A and B (1 km per loop)
7. Combers Beach (500 m one way)
8. Schooner Cove (1 km one way) – Currently Closed

12. Surf in Tofino on Long Beach

• Distance from Nanaimo: 190 km (2h 40 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 17 km (20 min drive)

Of all the activities in Tofino and things to do on Vancouver Island, surfing in the Pacific Ocean is one of the most fun experiences to try. You don’t need to be an expert to surf and there are many surf schools that offer lessons as well as day rentals for beginners.

For example, we booked all the surfing equipment at Surf Junction Surf School and enjoyed playing (and falling) in the waves at Long Beach.

There are plenty of other surf schools near Tofino and if you’ve never surfed before, Cox Bay is one of the best beaches to learn to surf.

13. Hike to Cox Bay Lookout

• Distance from Nanaimo: 200 km (2h 50 min drive)
• Distance from Tofino: 8 km (10 min drive)

If you’re looking for a scenic hike in Tofino, head to Cox Bay Lookout. To reach the viewpoint, you need to walk to the end of Cox Bay and follow the trail upward. The final section is short but steep. However it’s not technical.

Once at the top, the views over Tofino, the beaches and the bay are absolutely breathtaking. For an even more magical experience, plan to hike at sunset.

14. Visit Tofino

• Distance from Nanaimo: 207 km (3 h drive)

Tofino is a small village on the west coast of Vancouver Island, best known as the surf capital of Canada. It attracts visitors year round, but the summer months are especially popular for its beaches, waves and outdoor activities.

If you’re looking for things to do in Tofino, consider whale watching or bear watching tours, as well as a trip to the Hot Springs Cove, which depart daily from both Tofino and Ucluelet.

Things To Know Before a Nanaimo to Tofino Road Trip

• Highway 4 is the only route between Nanaimo and Tofino. So check out for road constructions and delays that might affect your journey.
• If you’re traveling from Vancouver, reserve the ferry in advance if you’re bringing your own vehicle, as it fills up fast.
• You can also drive from Victoria or get from Nanaimo to Tofino without a car by using the Tofino Express Bus. But you won’t be able to stop along the way or have your own vehicle once in Tofino. The bus operates year round and is perfect for anyone traveling to Tofino without a car.
• The driest months to go on a Nanaimo to Tofino road trip are May to September, but October to April is popular for the storm watching season.
• Cell service is very limited between Port Alberni and Tofino. So download offline maps in advance.
• Tofino is a very popular destination, especially in summer. Make sure you book accommodation in advance or plan accordingly. If you cannot find anything in your price range in Tofino, check out Ucluelet for more affordable options.

More Road Trip Itineraries in Canada

• The Best Sea to Sky Highway Stops from Vancouver
• The Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway Drive