Tofino: Luxury Real Estate Amidst the Rugged Beauty of Vancouver Island
Tofino is a town undergoing a big transition as more people discover this incredible place where untamed wilderness meets the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Once a rough frontier town that relied on fishing and timber, Tofino has reinvented itself as one of the best places in North America to surf, and as one of Canada’s most exclusive luxury destinations. Today, the town is thriving with a marked increase in high end tourism and the number of luxury homes for sale in Tofino. Carriage Trade listings in Tofino are often waterfront luxury properties listed at over $1.3 million with features celebrating the region’s unique environment.
The Region
Tofino is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island at the northern tip of the Esowista Peninsula. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean from three sides and by the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to the south. Pristine beaches, old-growth evergreen trees, and untouched wilderness are the defining features of the area which is part of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Tofino enjoys a temperate climate and average highs hover between 10 C (50 F) and 20 C (68 F) through most of the year. Snow is relatively rare, but the cooler season is characterized by regular heavy rains. In fact, between October and March, the area sees well over 2 metres of precipitation each year making it one of the wettest places in all of North America. Watching these incredible storms roll in from the Pacific has become one of the most popular activities in Tofino.
The District of Tofino was one of the fastest growing communities in the province of British Columbia and is now home to over 2,000 people. The population is forecasted to continue to grow in the years ahead, albeit at a slower pace.
The Surfing
With 35 kilometres of beautiful beaches and a water temperature that hovers around 10 C (50 F) all-year long, Tofino has established itself as a surfer’s paradise. The area has a huge number of surf breaks so be sure to do some local research and check out the surf report to get to know the current conditions. There are nine surf shops that rent equipment and plenty of instructors in and around Tofino that will help you ride the waves.
The Wildlife
The pristine wilderness around Tofino allows for so many opportunities to admire the abundant wildlife. Whale watching is especially popular as around 20,000 grey whales migrate each year along the west coast of Vancouver Island on their way to Alaska from the Baja Peninsula. In addition to grey whales, there are frequent sightings of humpback whales as well as some orcas. Whale watching tour providers vary widely, from smaller vessels which provide an on-the-water perspective to luxurious boats with heated cabins and a range of amenities.
Boat tours around Clayoquot Sound also allow nature lovers to see black bears in their natural habitat, foraging for food along the beach while you admire from a safe distance. Bear watching tours typically take place in calmer waters and are ideal for nature photographers. In addition to black bears, you can expect to see seals, sea lions, a wide variety of birds including bald eagles, and many other animals that call Tofino home.
The Hot Springs
Leave your problems behind and head to Hot Springs Cove, located northwest of Tofino and accessible only by boat or seaplane. From the dock, enjoy a walk along the boardwalk as it weaves through the rainforest to the hot springs. Relax in the geothermal heat of the healing, salty waters in these natural pools ranging in temperature, or bask in the warm waterfall as you watch the hot springs flow into the ocean.
The Fishing
The waters off the coast of Tofino are teeming with fish, and the region’s saltwater fishing grounds are among the best in the world. Around Clayoquot Sound chinook and coho salmon, Pacific halibut, Dungeness crab and many other species of fish congregate. Fishing charters in Tofino and Ucluelet can rent all of the gear and tackle that you need for your fishing expedition.
Getting In and Out
The Tofino-Ucluelet Airport is a small local airport with regular service to Vancouver as well as other cities in British Columbia. The airport is also served by several carriers that charter flights to Tofino, though many choose to arrive by float plane.
Tofino is a four-and-a-half hour drive from Victoria and Victoria International Airport, which has daily flights to many destinations across Canada and the western United States.
Carriage Trade Homes
For expert advice about luxury real estate in Tofino buying or selling a Carriage Trade luxury property in the area, contact Royal LePage Port Alberni- Pacific Rim Realty.
