Pacific Sands Guide to Year-round Activities + Adventures

Surfing

Fun, relaxing, and not to mention great exercise, surfing offers the ultimate connection to you, the ocean and an inner balance that surfers call “tapping the source.” And they say, you’ll never look at life quite the same way again.

At Pacific Sands Beach Resort, you have world-famous surfing right outside your door. And with our convenient, onsite Surf Shack, featuring lessons and equipment from Surf Sister Surf School, you’re in good hands.

Paddle Surfing

Tofino Paddle Surf offers Standup Paddle Boarding tours, lessons and rentals in Tofino, BC, Canada. Quality equipment and quality instruction focusing on skill, safety, etiquette and an appreciation for our coastal environment.

Join us at our beach front location for Standup Paddle Boarding and Surf rental, retail, learning and fun! Lifelong local surf experts offer you an experience of a lifetime and introduce you to an epic way to be on the water, enjoy the scenery and the wildlife.  Get a fun workout and learn something new!!

Group and private lessons and tours available. Beginners to intermediate. Flatwater and surf. Learn from Tofino’s ORIGINAL Standup Paddle Board and Surf Crew, Tofino Paddle Surf.

Wilderness Tours

An adventurer’s nirvana, the Tofino/Long Beach area is showcased and celebrated by some of the most experienced and distinguished wildlife tour operators in the world.

If watching a pod of whales breeching or bears beachcombing intrigues you, ask us how. We’ll match your inner-Discovery Channel with the wilderness experience you’ve always dreamed of.

Pacific Sands recommends several world-class adventure tour operators including Jamie’s Whaling Station and West Coast Aquatic Safaris.

Contact us for more info at 1.800.565.2322

Air Tour of Clayoquot Sound

You think you’re ready for it, and then you see it in all its majesty. As leave-you-breathless as it is world-renowned, enjoy a birds-eye view of Clayoquot Sound with incredibly scenic 20 and 45 minute tours in Cessna and Beaver float-planes. For more information visit Atleo Air or Tofino Air.

Ziplining

The Kennedy River Watershed is Traditional Tla-o-qui-aht Territory. A view from above would reveal this hidden treasure, a fantastic canyon only steps from Highway 4. Hidden by dense rainforest and cut from centuries of flowing white water, the canyon plunges to over 100 ft. below the road level. The river drops and pools its way through the canyon as it narrows and forces the water through spaces so small the only way to see it is from above…on a zipline. For more information visit West Coast Wild Zipline Tours.

Pacific Rim National Park

The exposed open coast of the Pacific Coast Mountains make up the spectacular surroundings of Pacific Rim. Composed of three areas—Long Beach, the West Coast Trail and the Broken Group of Islands—unique highlights include an island archipelago, old-growth coastal temperate rainforest, and archaeological sites.

To really immerse yourself in this amazing marine and forest environment, interpretive programs are available throughout the summer.

Please note that Day Use Fees apply:
Adult (17-64)   $7.80
Senior (65+)    $6.80
Youth (6-16)    $3.90
Family/Group  $19.60

For more information visit Pacific Rim National Park

Raincoast Education Society

The Raincoast Education Society is an independent, non-profit society and registered Canadian charity. The Society’s aim is to enable citizens within and beyond the Clayoquot and Barkley Sound region to participate knowledgeably, effectively and responsibly in the work of shaping this future for our region and for our planet.

For more information visit Raincoast Educational Society.

Cougar Annie’s Garden

For decades, local character Ada Annie Rae-Arthur ran this remote and infamous nursery garden, shipping countless plant varietals across the country. Surrounded by rainforest trees, this five-acre heritage garden is a place of strange and compelling beautywith over two kilometres of meandering pathways and outbuildings that once housed goats and chickens. Resurrected from a tangle of salal, scotch broom, and salmonberry, Cougar Annie’s Garden has endured for nearly one hundred years.

Visitors are invited to view the garden on limited basis. Day trips can be arranged for organized groups throughout the spring and summer months. For more information visit Cougar Annie’s Garden.

Tofino Botanical Garden

The spectacular Tofino Botanical Gardens—encompassing 12-acres of gardens, forest, and shoreline—showcases the relationship between culture and nature.

Explore the weaving paths and boardwalks, complete with art installations amidst towering rainforests.

For more information visit Tofino Botanical Gardens.

Tofino Restaurants

Tofino may be a small corner of the world, but our restaurants speak loudly in culinary circles. From casual fare to award-winning deliciousness, choose from a wide range of unique, local flavours.

PACIFIC SANDS BEACH RESORT PROUDLY RECOMMENDS:

Ice House Oyster Bar – Perched dockside in a heritage building with a sunset patio, enjoy local, Ocean Wise seafood.

KUMA – Intimate, neighbourhood eatery serving humble, Japanese inspired comfort food, including share plates and a selection of sake.

RedCan Gourmet – Open concept kitchen with inspired west coast dishes for take-out; local favourite for catering.

Sea Monster Noodle Bar – Now open!

Sea Shanty – First Nations seafood specialists with a renowned, adjacent art gallery.

Shelter – Boasting a sophisticated yet uncomplicated seasonal menu with a relaxed attitude.

SoBo – A renowned local treasure showcasing simple, fresh, locally produced ingredients.

Surfside Grill – Classic beach menu including fish & chips, fish tacos, churros and ice cream. Located onsite, by the Surf Shack.

Tacofino – Popular Baja fare out of an old film catering truck at the back of the Live to Surf parking lot.

The Pointe Restaurant at Wickaninnish Inn – Relais & Châteaux Pacific Northwest cuisine with a stunning ocean setting.

The Restaurant & Lounge at Jamies Rainforest Inn – Relaxed eatery offering breakfast until 2pm, nightly features, live music and shuttle service.

The Schooner – A premier seafood and chop house with over 50 years of celebrated history.

Wildside Grill Bistro – An eat-in/take-out eatery with a ‘source to table’ philosophy on food and an upscale twist on fish and chips.

Wolf in the Fog – With a focus on fresh, wild food, this bold, new, award-winnning restaurant features split-level dining options and an eclectic art collection.

Chocolate Tofino

Discover this chocolate-lover’s happy place that’s so delectably delicious, it was named “the best handmade chocolates and gelato on Vancouver Island” by Frommer’s Travel Guides.

From chocolate creations using handpicked berries to a signature Hot Chocolate Elixir described as “heaven in a cup,” this artisan shop often has line-ups out its adorable red door.

Spirit of the Fire Glass Studio & Gallery

Glass meets rain forest at this magical glass blowing studio where Tofino artist Sol Maya plays with fire. Sol’s love of surfing and the ocean as well as a passion for the solar system inspire his unique creations that have been exhibited at galleries all over BC, California and New Mexico. You may be lucky and catch Sol in action with his red-hot blowpipe in “The Glory Hole.”  [ more ]

Tofino Brewing Company

This burgeoning microbrewery started handcrafting liquid gold like Tuff Session Ale and Hoppin’ Cretin IPA in 2011, and is now being poured and sold in stores and pubs throughout Vancouver Island and Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. Drop by for a tour and tasting in their retail store from 11am to 9pm daily.

Chances are you’ll leave with a smile and a signature “Growler.”

Roy Henry Vickers - Eagle Aerie Gallery

From the symbolic 2010 Olympic Winter Games Inukshuk, to totem poles you see showcased all over British Columbia, it’s easy to get immersed in the First Nations art scene. And its local artists like Roy Henry Vickers that have put First Nations art on the map and walls of galleries worldwide with a colourful 40-year career.

Read about Tofino’s world-renowned Eagle Aerie Gallery and how Roy thanked Pacific Sands for making it happen.  [ more ]

GET REAL TOFINO

Plan your authentic Tofino trip

Excited about your upcoming trip to Tofino, but don’t have time to plan it? Get Real Tofino is a custom travel service that offers full day itineraries created just for you and your group. They strive to go above and beyond the ordinary must see’s and gives you a local inspired adventure. So, if you want to get the most out of your trip to Tofino visit www.getrealtofino.com and let the experience begin.

Christy Feaver Modern Metalwork Gallery

If you’re a fan of wearing jewelry, you know the difference between everyday earrings, bracelets and necklaces versus “statement pieces.” But what if you could find jewelry that makes a unique “everyday statement?”

Talented Tofino artist Christy Feaver creates just that with her handcrafted metal collection inspired by love, life, the sea and her travels in the South Pacific.  [ more ]

Events

Link to updated Events Listings:

http://pacificsands.com/timely-tofino-festivals-and-events/

Cleanline Sportfishing

Located in beautiful Tofino, British Columbia on Vancouver Island’s stunning west coast, Cleanline Sportfishing Ltd. offers both saltwater and freshwater fishing experiences. Our premium charters are fully guided and outfitted, combining local knowledge and passion for the sport with attention to comfort and safety of our clients. Cleanline Sportfishing experiences can be fully customized for all ages and ability levels, and with every excursion we focus on best environmental and ethical fishing practices.

We offer Off Shore Salmon and Halibut fishing, Freshwater Fishing Experience and Salt Water Fly Fishing Experiences all based from our beautiful Tofino BC location. We also offer a unique inshore family fishing experience for those looking for a relaxing and educational adventure for the whole family. Visit us online at cleanlinesportfishing.com or call us at 18557263828 to book your Tofino fishing trip today.