TofinoBRITISH COLUMBIA
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Lone Rock standing off wide, wet sand at Long Beach under a blue sky

Tofino beaches: find your stretch of coast

Lone Rock off Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Photo: Sarena D · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Five very different reasons to head for the water: surf, long walks, a sunset, a family outing, or the feeling of being somewhere wonderfully far away.

Updated · Independent visitor guide

Surfers beside the breakers at Chesterman Beach in winter lightExplore the coastChesterman Beach

A broad shoreline, forested edges and changing light make Chesterman an easy place to slow down. Choose a public access and give the tide a say in your route.

Read the guide Two people walking along Cox Bay beneath a forested headlandExplore the coastCox Bay

Cox Bay is one of Tofino’s defining surf settings. Come for a lesson, a long look at the breakers, or a stay with the ocean close by.

Read the guide People silhouetted on Long Beach under an orange sunset skyExplore the coastLong Beach

Long Beach belongs to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, between Tofino and Ucluelet. Make it a destination in its own right, not a quick stop you squeeze between bookings.

Read the guide A wooden boardwalk overlook with a bench above Clayoquot Sound on the Tonquin TrailExplore the coastTonquin Beach

Tonquin is the beach you can walk to from town. A forest trail with boardwalk and stairs leads to a sheltered cove facing Clayoquot Sound, one of Tofino’s favourite places to watch the sun go down.

Read the guide Calm, shallow turquoise water along the curve of tinwis beach below the forestExplore the coasttinwis Beach

tinwis, the beach long known as MacKenzie Beach, is Tofino’s calmer stretch of sand. Large tidal rocks shelter the bay, so the waves are usually smaller than at Chesterman or Cox Bay.

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Compare Tofino beach outings
BeachChoose it forPlan ahead
Chesterman Beach2.7+ km of sand for long walksLynn Road (north) or Chesterman Beach Road (south) access; pay parking.
Cox BaySurf lessons and storm watchingStrong undertow; boardwalk from the lot; no beach fires.
Long BeachA national park beach-and-forest dayParks Canada admission or Beach Walk pass required at park lots.
Tonquin BeachA forest-to-beach walk near townBoardwalk and stairs; washrooms at the Tonquin Park Road trailhead; no beach fires.
tinwis (formerly MacKenzie Beach)Calmer water and smaller wavesRamp and Mobi-Mat at the Hellesen Drive access; pay parking applies.

Choose a beach by the day you want

Chesterman is a natural choice for a shoreline stroll; Cox Bay puts surf at the centre of the day; Long Beach makes room for a national park outing. tinwis (formerly MacKenzie Beach) is calmer and sheltered by tidal rocks, while Tonquin connects a forest walk with a beach near town.

Public access and parking

Choose a designated public access before leaving your accommodation. Resort entrances and guest facilities are not interchangeable with public access. Town beach parking and national park entry have different arrangements; see getting around and parking.

Read the ocean before you go

Check tides, swell and current local notices. Keep children close, stay well back from rough water and avoid driftwood that waves could move. A beach that looks quiet can still have dangerous currents. Make a walk the default, and choose qualified instruction for a first surf.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beach in Tofino?

It depends on the day: Chesterman for long walks, Cox Bay for surfing and storm watching, tinwis for calmer water and Long Beach for a national park outing.

Do you have to pay to park at Tofino beaches?

Yes. District beach pay parking runs 8 am to 11 pm daily, year-round, at $3 per hour or $15 per day. Long Beach lots require Parks Canada admission.

Are dogs allowed on Tofino beaches?

On-leash dogs are welcome at District of Tofino beaches. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has its own seasonal restrictions, such as on the Combers Beach Trail.

Sources & current information

Check the responsible provider for current access, schedules, prices and availability.

Keep planning your trip

A surfer riding a small wave in front of misty forested headlands near TofinoExplore the coastSurfing

A first wave is a good reason to come to Tofino. Book instruction, dress for cold water, and let local conditions decide where you surf.

Read the guide Shops and cafés along a street in downtown Tofino with the inlet beyondExplore the coastGetting around & parking

Town, the beach corridor and Pacific Rim are different parts of your trip. Plan the last few kilometres as carefully as the journey to Vancouver Island.

Read the guide Purple and orange sea stars clinging to rocks in a tide pool at Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park ReserveExplore the coastTofino with kids

A family trip works best with short adventures, easy food and somewhere comfortable to return to. Plan fewer stops and leave time for the beach itself.

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