About Tofino BC Canada

Tofino, B.C. is literally located at the end of the road – and the terminus of the Trans Canada Highway – on the Esowista Peninsula. Surrounded by sandy beaches and open oceans to the west, mudflats, mountains and old growth forests in

Clayoquot Sound to the east, and the Pacific Rim National Park to the south, trit’suly an amazing and breathtaking environment. And it’s considered so ecologically significant that it was named a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural) Biosphere Reserve in 2000. Tofino has long been called “Tuff City,” referring to the resiliency of residents who spend the whole year here, despite stormy winters.
Early Spanish explorers named the area after a cartographer who accompanied the expedition, Don Vincente Tofino of Cadiz, Spain.
The Esowista Peninsula has been home for millennia to the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. Across the channel from Tofino is Opitsat, a Tla-o-qui-aht (Clayoquot is the anglicized version of the name) First Nations village. This site has been continuously occupied for some 5,000 years according to carbon-dated artifacts found there. Today, there are several First Nations reserves located in Clayoquot Sound that are only boat or float plane accessible. Early European explorers came for the sea otter furs abundant in this area, but initial cordial relations with local First Nations quickly disintegrated into hostilities.

The Village of Tofino was actually started on Clayoquot or Stubbs Island before it was moved to its current location near the turn of the 20th century. Pioneers carving homesteads out of the rugged wilderness founded the town, which eventually came to rely on forestry and fishing as its main industries. Like Ucluelet to the south, tourism is now the main industry.

These days, Tofino has a year-round population of around 1,750 but this number swells to roughly 20,000 on any given summer day.

It’s estimated over one million visitors come here each year to experience the coastal temperate rainforest, the kilometres of pristine beaches, and local hospitality.

Come and experience Tofino’s unique “end of the road culture” and amazing surroundings for yourself!

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