Surfing Tofino: A Kook’s Guide to Canada’s Surf Capital

Cold water, warm sunsets and endless surf spots.

When I first learned about the surf culture in Tofino a few years ago I decided that it was a bucket list spot. With that said, I am not into touristy spots, so I knew I had to time this trip just right. 

This guide will break down the best surfing in Tofino from my experience, including my favourite beaches, gear and surf shops. 

When and where?

When planning my trip to Tofino I wanted to avoid the crowds that peak tourist season draws in. 

If you’re not afraid of a little cold water and want to avoid crowds, I recommend visiting the island in mid to late May.

When I was there, the water temp was a brisk 9.5°C. If you don’t mind larger crowds and want to wait for warmer weather/water, wait until the summer months. 

I stayed just outside Tofino, in the small town of Ucluelet. The drive to the beaches I surfed varied between 20 to 30 minutes from where I was staying. I surfed 3 beaches while on the island: Long Beach, Chesterman’s and Wickanninish. 

From my experience, each beach had different benefits that set them apart. Here is my take on the best surfing in Tofino, from my experience. 

Long Beach 

You really can’t miss Long Beach, as it stretches right alongside the Tofino-Ucluelet highway. 

As the name suggests, this beach stretches quite a ways. I recommend visiting Long Beach for beginner surfers. The waves didn’t get too crazy and it is considered a great beach for new surfers.

The size of the beach makes it so that you can keep out of harm's way from others in the water. There are a few lots to park for beach access, all of which require paid lots during tourist season. 

as i prepare to take on tofino’s cold water surf, a staple of long beach Incinerator rock is in clear view in this shot!

Chesterman’s Beach

The second spot I hit up was Chesterman’s Beach, which is located closer to Tofino than Long Beach.

Reasons I loved this beach: crazy views, unique layout, fewer people in the water (at least when I was there) and overall I had better surf at this beach. 

This beach is definitely for a bit more advanced surfers due to the average wave size and stronger riptides. 

Drone shot of the ‘W’ Shaped chesterman’s beach in tofino

I preferred this spot over Long Beach. not only were the waves bigger, but the views were unmatched.

While surfing you can take in the stunning backdrop at Chesterman’s, where you can see the snow-covered peaks, the unique W shape of the beach and the natural beauty of the ocean. 

Note that the beach access is a bit more tucked away off the Tofino-Ucluelet Highway and most of the parking is along the residential streets. 

Wickinannish Beach

Personally, this was my favourite spot to surf while I was in Tofino. Wickinnanish had all the best parts from Chesterman’s and Long Beach, in my opinion. 

This beach has nice backdrops, great waves, smaller crowds and stretches quite long. Not to mention I got to witness one of the best sunsets of my life. 

sunset in tofino while surfing at wickinnanish beach

The sunset surf I did on my last day on the island provided solid waves and views. There was literally nobody else in the water either, which was a huge bonus. That being said, there is a pretty strong riptide that can pull you away from your spot on the beach if you aren’t careful. 

If you plan on surfing in Tofino, I totally recommend this spot as a must-visit, especially at sunset. 

The Gear

If you came to surf Tofino as a beginner or simply didn’t want to fly your board out, you’ll need to stop in at one of the many surf shops around Tofino to rent your gear. 

If you plan on bringing your own wetsuit, you’ll want to wear a thick wetsuit. I wore a 5/4mm in May with boots. Some people were rocking gloves as well, although I opted to barehand it. Depending if you are there earlier in the season, you will need a hood as well. 

a surfer at chesterman’s beach dons a full hood and boots to take on the cold.

I recommend stopping in at Relic Surf Shop, which is located in Ucluelet. The vibes at this spot are sweet and they have a ton of boards and wetsuits available to rent.

Relic Has a plethora of 9-foot foam longboards to rent, which are perfect for beginners. They also offer surf lessons, if you are looking to learn that way. 

The second surf shop I recommend checking out is Storm Surf Shop, located in downtown Tofino. Although they don’t rent gear, the store is wicked and it is definitely worth checking out. 

Wrap Up 

For more visuals that show what it’s like to surf tofino, check out the short surf segment i shot below!

All in all, my time surfing Tofino made my trip one hell of an experience. From the crazy backdrops at Chesterman’s to the sunsets at Wickinnanish Beach, Tofino is a must for any surfer or someone looking to get hooked on the sport. 

Now get out there, face the cold water and catch some swell!