Tofino, British Columbia

Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Back in May, on my way up to Alaska I met a friend in Vancouver for a 5 day adventure at a surf town called Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The trip out there from Vancouver was a half day including ferry wait time and the slow, winding roads from Nanaimo to Tofino. We stayed in a vacation rental home near some world class surf breaks. This charming little coastal community left me wishing I had months instead of days there! What a spot!

Don't Miss This: Top 10 List- Tofino, BC (in no particular order):

1) SURFING!!! Cox Bay, Chestermann, & Long Beach were favorite spots. One of my first true cold-water surfing experiences, but since it was summer it wasn't too bad! Saw some whales from Long Beach's break on our first day. The surfing was definitely the highlight, and Cox Bay was where we went back to the most.

2) Wash some fine mexican food down with an award-winning limeade at Tacofino. Don't be fooled- these tacos may come out of a truck (in Canada), but this was probably the best Mexican food I've ever had!

3) Take stand-up-paddle lessons or day trip with Tofino PaddleSurf. Shout outs to owner Catherine Bruhwiler (an extremely talented surfer) and SUP instructor Neil Callaghan- they took great care of us! Loved it so much, I ended up getting my own SUP a few months later. http://tofinopaddlesurf.com/

4) Spectular rainforest hiking. We did a quickie from town through Tonquin Park to the beach, (because we couldn't tear ourselves away from surfing for too long), but there are some amazing trails all around Tofino.

5) Live music at Jamie's Rainforest Inn.

6) Take a class at Coastal Bliss Yoga.

7) Peruse the charming Mermaid Tales bookshop and quaint (but overpriced) boutique shops in town.

8) Beer, appetizers and heat lamps at Shelter Restaurant.

9) Walk, run or bike the many paths/trails between Tofino and the beaches. Explore beachfront residential roads and daydream about owning property there...

10) Catch a harbor sunset.

Tofino harbor

Leah, old roomate and teammate and one of my favorite Canucks

Tofino harbor

Don't miss a meal at Tacofino!

reppin' the U from our Paddleboards :) Go Utes!

another shameless selfie