TOFINO

Tofino is a pretty fishing village at the tip of Esowista Peninsula near the entrance to Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Tofino is a rapidly growing tourist centre for Long Beach and other Pacific Rim destinations. Once a timber and fishing town, Tofino has become a favoured destination for travellers from around the world.

Tofino was named in 1792 after the Spanish Hydrographer Vicente Tofino de San Miguel (1732 - 1795) who was Rear Admiral of the Spanish Naval Academy in Cadiz. Amongst Tofino's pupils while a mathematics teacher was the explorer Bodegay Quadra.

The first trading post and hotel was established on Stubbs Island around 1875, where the building remained until 1905 before being moved to present day Tofino. Tofino was incorporated in 1932 and connected to the rest of Vancouver Island in 1959, when a gravel road was built to Port Alberni, which has since been upgraded to a full paved highway.

Local environmentalists and artists have banded together to suspend destruction of one of the last virgin timberlands on the west coast of Vancouver Island and halt the rapid development for which the area is ripe. Tofino boasts miles of sandy beaches to the south, islands of old-growth cedar, migrating grey whales, hot springs, sea lions, and a temperate climate.

Tofino's docks bustle with local fishermen and act as launching points for numerous sea kayaking, whale watching, wildlife, hot springs and cultural tours. Local boats also supply the 1,500 residents of five Nuu-chah-nulth communities and others who make their homes on the nearby islands and secluded shores of Clayoquot Sound.

The economy of the relaxed, vacation destination of Tofino is largely dependent upon tourism and aquaculture.

Tofino's Chamber of Commerce Website.

Beginning in March the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates the annual migration of the Gray Whale on its way to the feeding grounds of the Bering Sea. The annual “Edge to Edge” marathon takes place in June and winds itself from Tofino through Pacific Rim National, ending in Ucluelet – the perfect marathon distance of 27 km. Mid-summer hosts the Pacific Rim Festival featuring chamber music and multi-cultural concerts at a variety of venues in the Pacific Rim region. In July come and celebrate “Ukee Days”, a fun filled weekend for the whole family kicked off by a community salmon bake and followed by a weekend of parades, logger sports and more.


For more information about Ucluelet see please go to the District of Ucluelet website or the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce website.

PORT ALBERNI

Port Alberni ­ Gateway to the Pacific Rim Just a short scenic, half hour drive from Parksville or an hour from Nanaimo (Hwy. #4), you will enter the beautiful Alberni Valley, best known as "The Salmon Capital of the World".

You can enjoy the small town atmosphere and carefree lifestyle but with the necessary amenities such as a full care hospital, library, aquatic centre, ice arena, lakes, rivers, oceans, golf courses, North Island College, public transit, world-class Bob Daily stadium, just to name a few.

Port Alberni... visit the historic McLean Mill, step back in time and experience Canada’s only working steam operated sawmill which opened to the public July 1, 2000., or take a trip down the canal on the M.V Lady Rose or the M.V. Frances Barkley., or visit scenic Sproat Lake, home to the Mighty Martin Mars bombers­ last of the world’s great flying boats. So much to do­ so much to experience!

Port Alberni boasts the most affordable housing on Vancouver Island! Single family residences, townhouses & condo’s, hobby farms and large acreages, lake front living, rural & semi-rural, mobile home parks, secured adult oriented complexes, all surprisingly affordable.