Tofino, British Columbia
The perfect outdoor adventure location
Tofino is a small seaside town located in the centre of Clayoquot Sound on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the ancient West Coast rainforest on the other, the views from Tofino and unspoiled natural beauty are truly spectacular.
Tofino is located at the Northern tip of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, an area of diverse ecosystems and temperate rainforest. The park offers an array of outdoor activities, from wildlife and bird watching to beach walking, as well as fishing, scuba diving, boating, kayaking, hiking and biking. The rare vegetation, 2000-year-old cedar trees and cultural history of Pacific Rim Park make it worth exploring.
Tofino and its sister town, Ucluelet, host the Pacific Rim Whale Festival in March to celebrate the annual migration of almost 20,000 Pacific gray whales. Whale lovers will get a great view from Tofino's beaches as the whales make their way from Alaska to Baja, Mexico along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Designated as BC's first United Nations Biosphere Reserve, Tofino is perfect for outdoor adventure with its mild, temperate climate. Sea kayakers can paddle the waters in Clayoquot Sound, watching eagles soar overhead, perhaps even spotting a black bear on the shore.
Hikers can venture into the giant cedar and ancient Sitka spruce rainforests surrounding Tofino, or explore the sandy beaches with their tide communities of sea urchins and other fascinating saltwater creatures. A one-hour boat ride will take you to Hot Spring's Cove, a natural thermal hot spring pool reached from the beach by a boardwalk path through the forest.
Tofino also offers fantastic culture and shopping on its quaint streets, and the town's museums tell of the important aboriginal groups that once dominated the area and helped shape the local way of life.
http://www.canadiantraveladventures.com/regions/tofino-british-columbia.aspx