As you might have seen on Instagram we had the MOST amazing time in Tofino the with kids.

Tofino is really unlike any other place. Yes it might not be your typical sun destination vacation BUT it’s got so much to offer and it’s SO beautiful. From the amazing ocean and it’s giant waves to the thousand year old growth forest walk, the place is simply majestic.

I received so many questions about our trip, what the best way to get there is, what was the amazing hotel we stayed at and so much about all the fun activities and food we had. I decided to put a little Tofino with kids guide for anyone who is thinking of heading out there.

(don’t forget to scroll down to the very bottom for a video of our trip)

First things first. Getting there.

The best way to get to Tofino is most definitely BC Ferries.

Tofino does have an airport but with the weather being kind of unpredictable and rainy, you don’t want to chance it. Plus the drive through the island mountains is wonderful.

We took the 9:45am ferry out of Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo) and we were in Tofino by 3:30pm. It’s a 2 hour ferry crossing and then about 3 hours of driving.

We felt like we made good time and the day wasn’t all wasted on travelling. We usually just get up and get going in the morning and have breakfast on the boat, makes things more efficient.

The Hotel.

I think to properly experience Tofino you have to try and stay on the beach.

We stayed at the Pacific Sands Resort and everything about it is top notch.

They have a variety of different accommodations, different size, different price point, but they all have a spectacular view. The resort recently underwent major renovating and is also in the middle of launching 43 new suites.

We stayed in one of their beach houses and it was so perfect with the kids.

First of all the view was unreal, you look out on the ocean and the houses are located RIGHT on the beach so if you want to take a beach walk or go surfing, you just open your front door and step out. After we put the kids down we just sat by the fireplace with a glass of wine, watching the giant waves crash.

Our house had a GIANT raised soaker tub which overlooked the beach. The kids sure loved splashing around in there, we had to have giant bubble baths every day.

It was so nice that the kids had have their own room and bathroom. It made things so much easier for bedtime, it’s the worst when you have to tip toe around them sleeping.

Another perk of the beach house is a FULL kitchen. Tofino has some amazing food (more on that later) but with kids it’s hard to go out 3 times a day so it was nice that we could have some meals in the house.

It amazed me how accommodating Pacific Sands Resort was with our kids. At check in they handed each kid a little beach bucket and our house was equipped with cute rain jackets for the kids AND adults. In the kitchen we found a smore kit for the kids and a bottle of wine for mom and dad. The resort has common use outside gas fire places for some roasting or warming up. Weather permitting they also have a giant communal wood fire pit and covered BBQs for everyone to use all over the property, you never have to walk far.

If it’s raining and you don’t feel like venturing out or the kids are asleep and you’re not sure how to pass the time, rest assured Pacific Sands has you covered for entertainment. Their lobby has a HUGE DVD collection as well as a plethora of different games for all ages. You will never be bored.

They also have an easy but scenic forest boardwalk that leads to a viewpoint overlooking Cox Bay, it’s pretty breathtaking.

And the sunsets are to die for!!!

The staff is so friendly and professional. Everything is absolutely top notch, Pacific Sands Resort will be a hard place to beat when it comes to accommodation.

NOW, let’s talk about all the fun things that you can do if you come to Tofino as a family.

This trip we got to experience something OUT of this world fun and adventurous.

We went fishing!!

Let me say it was such an amazing experience!

I was very skeptical about taking the kids on a boat, I was worried they weren’t going to like it or get bored, especially Sophie because she is a busy 2 year old, but this was not the case.

Tofino Fishing assured us the kids would have a blast and they delivered.

Flo was the most amazing guide, he had a wealth of knowledge and he was so good with the kids. The kids got to help out with everything, they loved helping pull up the traps and Ava even caught a fish. It was amazing to see them discover things they haven’t seen before.

Sophie was eager to touch everything from shrimp to octopus to the sea cucumber. We caught a few rockfish (which we let go) and we got to keep and later eat the prawns (although we did eat a few raw on the boat, yummy). Thank you Flo for the delish recipe!

One of the best things about the fishing trip was simply just the view. The sun was shining, the water was still and all the islands and wildlife was breathtaking. We saw many sea otters and even got up close and personal with a bald eagle.

It was an unforgettable experience, I kind of want to relive it. I guess we will just have to come back and do it all over again.

One of the other sights we visited was the Tofino Botanical Gardens.

We got a tour from the owner himself which made the place seem even more majestic. They have such a beautiful property, once again very catered for kids. They have trails and boardwalks filled with unique plants and art pieces. One trail leads you to the most stunning view point, you can just stand and look at the water and the little islands forever.

They have a few animals walking around the property which the kids loved, Sophie fell in love with the rooster, who she for some reason called ‘Moosie’ haha.

And a few more places to check out:

Another place we wanted to visit but didn’t get the time is the aquarium in Ucluelet, which is a 35 min drive down the highway from Tofino. It’s on our bucket list for next time.

Tofino also has an endless amount of gorgeous breathtaking self-guided hikes and trails. A couple of our favourites, which we did in the past are Wild Pacific Trail (Ucluelet) and Schooner Cove Trail.

THE FOOD!!

One of the reasons we love travelling so much is the food (and the local tap beer)

Tofino has spoiled us with some amazing meals that is for sure.

I must say that if you want to go out for supper you have to try The Shelter Restaurant.

It is the cutest place and it has a cozy patio. I love that their menu is so versatile, since me and my husband have different preferences when it comes to food options, but The Shelter has you covered. The food was amazing for all of us, kids included, and their local beer is amazing. Do yourself a favour and order the brussel sprouts, they are nothing like I’ve ever tasted before. One fun fact that makes the place even cooler, they have their own herb garden, cool right!

If you are staying at Pacific Sands Resort make sure to try out the Surfside Grill.

One night we felt like eating in, so we called in our order and D walked over to pick up. Their fish n’ chips are to die for and so are their fish tacos!!

If you are thinking of doing Tofino your with kids you will UNDOUBTEDLY have so much fun will want to keep coming back again and again.

It was such a memorable trip and we really hope to come back to Tofino again soon. Hopefully you found this Tofino with Kids post helpful and I am so happy to answer any questions you may have so don’t hesitate to ask!!

Here is a fun video of our adventures, don’t forget to click subscribe 🙂