Ucluelet - Tofino

Tofino is probably the most popular destination on Vancouver Island after Victoria and is extremely expensive, especially during the summer. I decided to check it out in September, although advance bookings for accommodations and tours are still essential.

Sep 12, 2026
Ucluelet

There are long-distance buses from Nanaimo to Ucluelet and Tofino, but they are very expensive. Even for one person, renting a car is cheaper and also makes it possible to stop en route for short hikes. And that's exactly what I did.

On the way from Nanaimo to Ucluelet / Tofino, almost everyone will stop at Cathedral Grove (formally known as MacMillan Provincial Park) to admire the giant ancient Douglas fir trees. The park is divided by Highway 4, with parking lots on both sides of the highway.

In the past, there were public boats from Bamfield to Ucluelet, passing through Broken Group Islands. Apparently, the service no longer exists. Luckily, Subtidal Adventures in Ucluelet has an Islands and Sea Things tour, which is perhaps the only chance to see Broken Group Islands without joining a kayak tour or chartering a private boat. I took the afternoon tour, which was quite rewarding. The islands are scenic, and along the way we also saw some sea lions and sea otters.

Between Ucluelet and Tofino is the famous Long Beach. I only stopped briefly at Kwisitis Visitor Centre and the parking lot for Incinerator Rock (opposite YAZ Airport). A Beach Walk pass is required and is valid for four hours. There is also a bus stop near the Incinerator Rock parking lot for local bus No. 1 (between Tofino and Ucluelet).

Incinerator Rock

Sep 13, 2026
Tofino

Long Beach is famous for surfing, and I'm not a surfer. So naturally, my visit to Tofino was mostly for a tour to Hot Springs Cove. There are multiple daily tours from Tofino offered by different companies, and I booked the earliest one I could find - a tour that departs at 8:00 am - and it turned out to be a smart choice.

The boat from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove takes about 1.5 hours. Sea otters can usually be seen along the way. Luckily, we were also able to see some gray whales and a bear on the shore, so the trip took a little longer. The hike from the dock to the actual hot spring pools takes about half an hour each way on a boardwalk trail. There is only one main pool (which can hold 3-4 people) and two small pools (holding 1-2 people each), so I was glad I took the 8:00 am tour, as there were not many people there. There are multiple tours around 10:00 am and in the afternoon, and I am afraid the pools can get quite crowded then.

On the way back to Tofino, we saw even more whales, which was exciting. The Indigenous captain still managed to get us back to Tofino before 2:00 pm.

For the three-hour drive from Tofino to Nanaimo, I decided to stop at Sproat Lake Provincial Park, which did not disappoint. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Sproat Lake Petroglyphs from a dedicated viewing platform - perhaps one of the best-kept secrets on Vancouver Island.

On the Way from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove

Overview

Although very touristy, Tofino is still worth visiting, if only for the tour to Hot Springs Cove. Shoulder season is recommended due to its high price tag. If you're a big fan of scenic views, taking a tour from Ucluelet to see Broken Group Islands shouldn't be missed.