Tofino was named by two Spanish explorers, by Captains Galiano and Valdez in 1792, after their teacher Spanish hydrographer Vicente Tofino de San Miguel. Contrary to popular beliefe, Vicente Tofino was not on the voyage but was highly regarded by his students.

Like to know more about the naming of Tofino, BC and read some mail we received from a current resident of the great hydrographer Tofino's native town in Spain? Just click here!

Initially the European settlement was centered on Clayoquot Island, just off the shore of present-day Tofino village. Soon, the residents moved acorss the water to the peninsula where there was more land. By 1913 Tofino was an established settlement for people, other than the First Nations population, looking for adventure. They found it in the rugged landscape, the open ocean and the temperate climate where rain can be an adventure in itself! The long, dark, rainy winters proved to be a challenge for people. The village was nicknamed 'Tough City' by it's residents: a name that is still in use today. Resources of the water and land were tremendous and Tofino remained a maritime area with boats the only access option. The arrival of ships bringing supplies was an occasion in town.

In the 1950's a logging road was punched through from Port Alberni (or Port as locals call it). Tourists wre eager to visit the beautiful setting of Tofino and they were allowed to use the road only on weekends when the logging trucks were not in use. Still, visitors made the trip over the bumpy, gravel road in order to reach this area; even at that time Tofino was noted for it's supernatural beauty. In 1972 this same road was paved and that's the road that we all use to get to Tofino today. This road leads to the end of the Trans-Canada Highway, located at Tofino's First Street Dock.

View all the information you need to know about driving to Tofino, BC, Canada.

Our Pacific Rim National Park was designated as a major park by the federal government in 1971. Famous Meares Island was protected by a declaration of it's future being put into the Nuu-chah-nulth hands in 1984. And hundreds of people came out to protect the forests of Clayoquot Sound in 1993. You can visit the area of Kennedy Lake where people gathered to voice their disapproval of the proposed logging and feel the energy that turned back the chainsaws. This demonstration of people committed to the health of the forests and it's wildlife residents, brought world-wide attention and more tourists flocked to the area than ever before. In 2000, Clayoquot Sound, including Tofino, was declared a World Biosphere Reserve.

Today the village of Tofino an oasis of old-growth forests, wildlife, solitude, recreation and exploration. Home to whales, eagles, bears, otters, cougars, wolves, herons, ospreys, salmon, steelhead, trout to name but a few regulars and visited by migrating whales and birds on their journeys both north and south, Tofino is recognized as a peaceful place where one can rest, feed and play. For the two legged animals Tofino and area offers an endless array of actitivites (whale watching, bear watching, surfing, hiking, dining, spas, kayaking, skateboarding, theatre) and accommodations (B&B, Cabins, Private Suites, Houses, Resorts and Hostels).

One great community resource the village offers is our bike path that connects the beaches, local neighbourhoods and the downtown viallage. The path is level and separate from the vehicle road, running parallel to it. Bikers, skateboarders, walkers, runners, and dogs (walking their humans) share the path making it a place to meet neighbours and friends.

 Explore the great beaches, wonderful surf and calm kayaking waters. Tofino has four spectacular beaches: Cox Bay, Chesterman Beach, MacKenzie Beach, and Tonquin Beach. And Long Beach is just down the road in the National Park. Surf is plentiful, there is lots of room and the vibe is friendly. Kayaking the waters of the inlets offers the chance to get up close and personal to the quiet side of nature and the many birds and animals that live here.

Learn more about Tofino Beaches and Hiking Trails within Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park here.

Ken Gibson is a long-time resident of Tofino and an invaluable source of local information. He has been kind enough to share many of his chronicles of Tofino with us and we have posted them for your reading and enjoyment. This West Coast of Canada is an amazing place and the people who made it their home in the early days are equally as fascinating. Read about Spanish and British explorers, First Nations Peoples, and the Europeans who came to live on this rugged land from Ken Gibson's treaure trove of Tofino stories and information - Find it all here.

See the Tofino Photo pages here.

The District of Tofino was incorporated in 1932.
Area of Tofino is approximately 1940 hectares.
Population is approximately 2,000 people.
The Municipal Hall is located at 121 Third Street, Tofino, BC.

Postal Address: District of Tofino, Box 9, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
Telephone: 250.725.3229 Fax: 250.725.3775  Email: office@tofino.ca
Tofino has one mayor and 6 councillors

The Canadian Coast Guard in Tofino is located at 340 Main Street.
Phone: 250.725.3231
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) owns and operates the federal government's civilian fleet, and provides key maritime services to Canadians. As a Special Operating Agency of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the CCG helps DFO meet its responsibility to ensure safe and accessible waterways for Canadians. The CCG also plays a key role in ensuring the sustainable use and development of Canada's oceans and waterways.

The Tofino Regional Library is located at 121 Third Street.
Phone: 250.725.3713 | Internet is available at the Tofino Library.
Hours: Tuesday 3-7 pm,  Wednesday & Thursday 3-5 / 7-9 pm,  Friday 1-5 pm
The Tofino library is part of 37 branch libraries on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands) and the Central Coast. The librarians Linda and Barb welcome you to visit the Tofino library for great reading books and magazines, talking books, cds, dvds and public internet access. Learn more about the Tofino Regional Library here.

Ambulance Service
Phone 250.725.2252 |  Emergency 911

Tofino General Hospital
261 Neil Street l | 250.725.3212 |  Emergency 911

Tofino Medical Clinic

305 Campbell Street | 250.725.3282 |  Emergency 911

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Tofino is located at 400 Campbell Street.
Phone: 250.725.3242 |  Emergency 911
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety Canada. The RCMP is unique in the world since it is a national, federal, provincial and municipal policing body.

Tofino Local Phone Number Information
Local phone numbers are accessed using all ten digits (area code and phone number). The area code is 250 local numbers start with 725 (Tofino area), 726 (Ucluelet area and cell phones) and 266 (cell phones).

Tofino Postal Code Information
Canadaian postal codes are composed of both Upper Case Letters and numbers. They are all 6 characters in length, usually written with a space after the third character. The Tofino postal code is V0R 2Z0 and the Ucluelet postal code is V0R 3A0.

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