The west coast of Vancouver Island is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year. In the winter there is storm season, in the summer there are the numerous hikes to enjoy, and in the fall the drive there is gorgeous with the leaves changing colour on the trees. However I would have to choose spring as my favourite time to vacation there, with the days getting longer and warmer, and the number of visitors at a minimum.
We stayed on tinwis beach, formerly known as Mackenzie Beach. The name was changed in 2025 at the request of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and means “calm beach” or “calming water” It is not capitalized as only lower-case letters are used by many indigenous people, including the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. There is always lots to explore on beaches and this one is no exception with tidal pools providing lots to search for.
The area around Tofino was originally inhabited by the First Nations and their village was on Meares Island, across the water from what is now Tofino. Spanish explorers discovered the area in 1774 and in 1792 the southern inlet was named Tofino Inlet after Captain Vincent Tofino a rear admiral from the Spanish navy. Europeans were very interested in this area because of the number of furs available…especially sea otter pelts.
As Tofino grew with settlers from mainly Norway, Scotland, and England, a post office, a doctor’s office, and a church were built. The building of a logging road in 1959, that connected Tofino to other cities on the island, meant more people were drawn to the beauty of the area. In 1971 Pacific Rim National Park was established and the tourist boom began. The UN named the area a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2000 due to its abundance of cultural and natural beauty and this remains evident to this day. Wandering around the city you will find a mix of old and new buildings along with indigenous artwork. Roy Henry Vickers, a local artist, has a gallery in the town which displays some of his paintings and prints, as well as showcasing totem poles and carvings.
Tofino has lots of gift shops, cafes, and eateries, however the best part of vacationing here isn’t the city itself but the surrounding area and what it has to offer. You can go whale watching, hiking, visit a brewery, go kayaking, take a fishing charter or just enjoy walking the beach discovering prints in the sand and rocky outcrops as you lose yourself in the beauty of the area.
If you enjoy photography like I do then you won’t be disappointed with the sunsets on display here! Have your camera or iPhone ready for some truly amazing photos.
We stayed at the Ocean Village Resort on tinwis beach, which I would high recommend for families. Also located here are the Crystal Cove Resort and the Best Western Tin Wis Resort. Some accommodations will have full kitchen facilities available which is always useful, but there are a few restaurants and cafes within walking distance of this area.
Tofino is It is situated in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations.
Meandering My Way... 
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