The best yurts near Tofino guide
When to go
While you can camp year-round in Tofino, the busy season runs from late May through mid-October, when the weather is warm and relatively dry. To avoid crowds, come midweek if you can and avoid Canadian holiday weekends, particularly Victoria Day (May), Canada Day (July), British Columbia Day (August), Labour Day (September), and Thanksgiving (October). The rainiest months are November through February, although you should be ready for drizzle any time in Tofino’s temperate rainforest climate.
Know before you go
- To visit from Vancouver, take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay terminal. Reserve a spot for your car on the ferry in advance, particularly between late May and mid-October.
- While it’s only 210 kilometres from Nanaimo to Tofino, allow about three hours to make this drive over the narrow and often winding roads.
- Don’t have a car? You can catch a bus in either Vancouver (which will take you to the ferry) or Nanaimo that continues to Tofino.
- Both Tofino and Ucluelet have grocery stores, bakeries, and plenty of restaurants. You can also pick up supplies in Nanaimo or Port Alberni as you cross the island from the ferry port.