Vancouver Island
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Positives
- Consistent swells
- Mix of beaches, reefs and points
- Waves for all abilities Wildlife
- Luxury lodge options
Negatives
- Messy stormy swells
- Beaches often onshore
- Rare, localised pointbreaks
- Cold and super rainy
- Expensive local costs
Vancouver Island surf travel guide
Surfers exploring the southern corners of Canada have found Vancouver Island is well-endowed with some quality reefs, points and beaches, but surfing Vancouver Island is challenging without a boat or seaplane. Blessed with some reliable beachbreaks, Tofino is the closest thing to a surf town on the west coast, where stunning, old-growth, temperate rainforests provide the backdrop to some breathtaking beaches in this spectacular natural environment.
Surf spots in Vancouver Island
Research the 12 surf breaks in Vancouver Island and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 12 breaks in Vancouver Island.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Vancouver Island
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Vancouver Island.
A GUIDE TO THE RAD WOMEN’S SURF COMMUNITY OF TOFINO
- TravelSurf
- By Sophie Everard for Wavelength
- 10 minute read
Travel Information
General
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- Tourists
- 6,213,752
- Population
- 5,071,000
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +1
- Dialing out
- 011
- Emergencies
- 911
- Language
- English
Electricity
- Plug Type
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Getting There
Straight 180 day visa for most nationalities. Best is to fly into Seattle (BFI) in the US or Vancouver (YVR). Air Canada now charges for boardbags over 6’6”. There are also domestic flights to Victoria (YYJ) or Tofino (YAZ). Canada has the largest seaplane fleet. Tofino is 5h from Victoria and 3h from Nanaimo (200km/124mi). Get there by coach or from the BC ferry terminals at Nanaimo.
Getting Around
Many ways to travel around using public transport like The Tofino Bus, BC Ferries and Washington State Ferries. Jordan River in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, along the West Coast Road (Highway 14) is 60km (37mi) from Victoria. From $165 per week for a rental car at GSA in Victoria. Motorhome rental around $100 per day. Take a scenic seaplane cruise (Tofino Air).
Accommodation
Many options for all budgets especially deluxe. Many B&Bs are located right on Tofino’s beaches. Stay at Tofino Hostel (from $35/dorm bed). Cox Bay has the pricey private Pacific Sands Beach Resort. Camp near the surf at Greenpoint Campground with trail access to Long Beach. Try Sobo for delicious local seafood.
Activities
Tofino is a mecca for outdoor adventure like hiking the boardwalk trails in the ancient, dripping rainforest, biking on the beach at low tide, kayaking, sport fishing and whale watching. The West Coast Trail opens in summer for hiking, camping and exploring the surrounding wilderness, but surfing is not permitted.
Hazards & hassles
River Jordan locals resent kooks showing up at their inconsistent pointbreak from the nearby cities of Victoria (pop: 300,000) and Vancouver (pop: 2M), and have been enforcing tough localism. Cold water, rain, wild surf and fast weather changes are the things to worry about. Beware of bears on the trails or beaches at remote spots.
Handy Hints
Surf gets big, so take a longer board with extra float for the full neoprene kit. Lots of surf schools in Tofino including local legends Bruhwiler, and Surf Sister female only surf camps. Many Tofino surf shops rent gear like Live to Surf, Storm Surf Shop and Long Beach Surf Shop who are also in Ucluelet. Read The Cedar Surf by Grant Shilling.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.