Situated on the west coast of British Columbia's Vancouver Island, Tofino is a sleepy fishing village best known for its surf, food scene, and access to unmatched nature. Surrounded by islands, mountains, and the sea, the natural landscape is made up largely of sand and pebble beaches and ancient rainforests, making Tofino a year-round destination for outdoor adventurers—while the town sees an uptick of beach bums and hikers in the summer months, storm watchers and surfers make Tofino their top destination in the fall and winter months.
Getting to Tofino requires some effort, but it’s worth it. From the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on the mainland south of Vancouver, it’s a 90-minute ferry ride to Swartz Bay Terminal north of Victoria, followed by a 4.5-hour drive to Tofino. Or if you’re feeling spendy, you could always splash out on a seaplane ride and get there in just 45 minutes from Vancouver International Airport.
Anyone who's visited Vancouver Island will tell you the journey's worth it. Once there, you're free to play in the ocean and explore Clayoquot Sound by kayak, spot gray and humpback whales traverse the waters, or hike through forests thick with old growth Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Sitka spruce. And after a day of surfing and adventuring along the rocky shorelines, take part in a local Tofino tradition by heading to the original Tacofino truck and gorging on fish tacos.
While Tofino is small and remote, there are plenty of great Airbnb cabins and other vacation rentals to stay at once there. Whether you’re staying in Tofino proper or the nearby and equally cool town of Ucluelet, here are the 11 best Airbnb surf shacks, cabins, and cottages to call home during a Tofino vacation.