Getting Here and Around

Tofino is 314 km (195 miles) from Victoria, about a four- or five-hour drive. If you're coming from Vancouver by ferry (to Victoria or Nanaimo), head north to Parksville via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and the Island Highway (Highway 19). From there pick up Highway 4, which crosses the island from Parksville to Port Alberni, Ucluelet, and Tofino. Break up the trip with a lunch or ice-cream break at the Coombs Old Country Market, about 15 km (9 miles) west of Parksville; a good stop for picnic supplies, the store is known for the goats grazing on its sod roof. If you don't want to drive yourself, there's regular bus service from Victoria, but you really need a car to explore the area, so you might have to rent one after arrival.

You can also fly from Victoria or Vancouver, a more expensive but much faster option.

One international car-rental agency (Budget) and one local agency (Tofino Airport Car Rental) rent vehicles at Tofino–Long Beach Airport. Reservations are highly recommended.

Tofino Taxi provides service in Tofino, including airport pickups. Book in advance for night or off-hours service. The Tofino Water Taxi is a boat shuttle to Meares Island, Hot Springs Cove in Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, and other remote offshore sites.

Contacts

Tofino Airport Car Rental. This car rental company represents Budget and Ace Rent a Car at Tofino Airport. Tofino, British Columbia. 800/311–1512; www.tofinoairportcarrental.com.

Tofino Taxi. 250/725–3333.

Tofino Water Taxi. 250/725–8844; 866/794–2537; www.tofinowatertaxi.com.