Tofino, BC Homes & Real Estate

Gearing up to buy or sell a home soon in Tofino? Call The Fenton Team at (250)723 8786. Your Tofino realty team is here to help navigate the Tofino real estate market.

About Tofino

Nestled along the picturesque shoreline of the Pacific Ocean is Tofino, an absolutely stunning town of the Pacific Rim of Vancouver Island. Tofino is home to approximately 1,930 residents and offers idyllic natural scenery, beautiful beaches, and towering mountain views. 

The population of Tofino may be on the lower side compared to many Vancouver cities, but during the tourist season, the number skyrockets. Tofino is one of the most popular destinations during the warm summer months as there are a multitude of incredible attractions and excursions to enjoy. Countless activities including water-based endeavours such as whale watching, fishing, kayaking, and boating, along with land-based excitement such as bird-watching, hiking, camping, and mountain climbing, provide nonstop enjoyment for nature-lovers near and far. 

Although the town is most populated during the summer, Tofino has a steady climate throughout the year. Temperature-wise, there is little variation between seasons with a comfortable, mild day and cool evening being typical. Having said that, there are two distinct seasons - a mild wet season and comfortable dry season. The dry season typically lasts for about four months (June to September). Rainfall is one of the many charms of this town, one which locals are prepared for with their rainwear and cozy coffee houses. Surfing, kayaking, hiking, camping, whale watching and fishing can be enjoyed year round and there are countless indoor exhibits and events to entertain as well.

Today, Tofino's culture can be described as West Coast Chic with its rustic surf shops, trendy restaurants and high-end resorts. Strolling through Tofino you will come across the art galleries of a number of famous Canadian artists. There is a large influence from the local Nuu-Cha-Nulth First Nations culture through artwork displayed throughout the town as well as educational events and workshops. Surf culture has also had a major impact on the overall Tofino culture. This should come as no surprise, as the beaches outside Tofino offer the best surfing in the country.The diverse culture of Tofino is engaging. There is always an interesting activity in which to participate, whether it is playing trivia games while sipping coffee in a cafe, kayaking alongside magnificent whales, or attending a music or film festival.

Real Estate in Tofino

Tofino is a stunning, oceanside community on the coastline of gorgeous Vancouver Island. The homes for sale in Tofino consist of a mixture of detached, single-family homes, including rustic cottages and off-the-grid cabins, and open plots of land. Tofino is a highly sought-after location among the Vancouver real estate listings, with the average cost of a home sitting around $3,320,900. These properties are surrounded by mature trees, privy to beautiful shoreline views, and many of them offer acres of land. 

Free-standing, single-family homes for sale in Tofino start at approximately $499,000. Among the more expensive properties up to 5,980 square feet and nestled on 1.2 acres of land, homes can cost as much as $14,000,000. Though the two ends of the real estate listings vary greatly, the typical single-family property in the area ranges in cost between $1-3 million. Homebuyers who are looking to settle in Tofino can expect to find a variety of beautiful homes in all shapes and sizes. Everything from quaint and simple cabins to luxurious waterfront estates are available to suit all lifestyles.

Open lots available in Tofino offers the experience of designing, customizing, and building a unique home, perfectly suited to your exact specifications. Building a home rather than buying an existing home is all the rage these days and Tofino brings an excellent selection of land to the table. Anything from a two-acre plot costing approximately $99,750 to expansive, forty-acre lots costing over $4,500,000 can be found among the Tofino listings. Some of these beautiful properties are only accessible via boat, just off of the coast of Tofino, providing the ultimate getaway for permanent or vacation residents. The wooded, rural properties allow a quiet, secluded lifestyle where residents can commune with nature and enjoy a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. 

Things To Do

Tofino is filled with an array of incredible excursions from spring through winter. The mild climate makes this fabulous destination perfect for year-round excitement. In the warmer summer months, plenty of tourists, especially families, flock to the area to enjoy the beaches, cottages, and refreshing waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the winter, popular Tofino activities include storm watching, surfing, and hiking. Fall and spring are ideal for viewing this beautiful area, as the busy summer tourists are gone and the air is still warm enough to fully enjoy the great outdoors. 

Located in the Pacific Rim National Park is Long Beach, one of the top attractions of Tofino. This sixteen-kilometer stretch of beach is made up of gorgeous, sandy banks and is the access point to numerous hiking trails. The perpetual waves make Long Beach one of the top surfing destinations in Canada and the mild climate means that, with proper wet-suit gear, you can even surf in the colder winter months. 

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park is another popular recreation area for locals and tourists alike. The biggest draw to this beautiful parkland is the natural hot springs, Ramsay Hot Springs. This protected area is found north of Sharp Point and west of Sydney Inlet. They are strictly accessible by boat or float plane, but are open to visitors year-round. 

There are plenty of scenic hiking trails in and around Tofino. The spectacular views along the winding paths are some of the best in Vancouver. The mature forests are home to some of the oldest trees in Canada and include Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and western red cedar trees. The beautiful and diverse array of flora and fauna make the effort of hiking completely worth it. Some of the most well-known trails to hike in Tofino and Ucluelet are Schooner Cove Trail and South Beach Trail. 

Tofino is known for their interesting and cultural art galleries as well as the natural beauty that surrounds the town. On the main road that runs through Tofino sits Eagle Aerie Gallery. This colourful establishment hosts works of art designed by renowned Canadian artist Roy Henry Vickers. With bright and vibrant flourishes, Vickers’ artwork features mostly wildlife and nature scenes inspired by the beautiful West Coast. Vickers is native to northern British Columbia and his heritage is prominent in everything he creates. 

One of the top-rated day-trip excursions around town is the Tofino Botanical Gardens. The gardens are made up of twelve immaculately maintained acres that include not only gardens, but forests and shoreline. The network of walking paths and boardwalks bring visitors on a journey through the various stages of the park. Sights to be seen include the Cultivated Gardens, Sculpture Park, and Old-Growth Temperate Rainforest. Plants from all around the world, including Japan and Chile, are displayed in a variety of colourful showcases. This beautiful destination is not only open to public day use, but is also host of many events such as Tofino Winterlights, Tofino Lantern Festival, and the Surfrider Foundation Film Festival, as well as weddings and other gatherings. 

Another benefit of living in the trendy Tofino is the diverse and delectable dining options! Some of the best dining in Vancouver can be found among the restaurants and food trucks in the small town. Chocolate Tofino is the place to indulge in delicious desserts, particularly their specialty, signature gelato. Tacofino Truck is a popular food truck serving tacos, burritos, and more. Though there are several locations throughout British Columbia, Tofino is the original setup to this eclectic taco truck. Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn offers exceptional fine dining and extraordinary cliffside views. For a more casual meal, the Driftwood Cafe is a charming coffee shop that overlooks the beach. Rhino Coffee House is another fantastic option, serving delicious coffee, tasty pastries, and features an overall trendy atmosphere. The possibilities are endless when it comes to all things food and fun in Tofino, British Columbia! 

Education in Tofino

There is no doubt that Tofino is an amazing place to grow up. Living so close to the spectacular nature of the west coast of Vancouver Island is a dream come true for most kids and an education all of its own. But of course, kids need a formal education too! Tofino youth enjoy a dynamic education at Wickaninnish Community School until grade 8, at which time they will commute the 40 minute drive to nearby Ucluelet Secondary School.

School District 70 Pacific Rim is the school district that operates and manages these fantastic schools. School District 70 is made up of fifteen schools and approximately 4,590 students all over Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Tofino, and Bamfield. With some of the top-rated and friendliest schools in the province, the students in attendance to any one of these wonderful establishments are given access to top resources and educational opportunities that are needed to have a successful and fulfilling educational career. 

What’s Nearby? 

Tofino is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island at the top of the Esowista Peninsula and the south side of Clayoquot Sound. It is an approximate 90 minute drive from Port Alberni. This popular destination has its own airport and is only a few hours away from Nanaimo airport and ferry terminal to the British Columbia mainland. While Tofino is sought out by tourists from all over the world, locals cherish the luxuries, spas, and local art exhibits as much as the raw landscape that surrounds this charming town.

The road from Nanaimo to Tofino, along the Pacific Rim Highway, is one of the most spectacular drives on the planet. From Nanaimo you leave the Island Highway turning off into Highway 4, beginning the westward journey to Tofino. Spanning 165 kilometres, the Pacific Rim Highway, nicknamed Canada’s Surf Highway passes through stunning landscapes, including ancient old growth forests, through mountain passes, past pristine lakes and rivers, and finally along the spectacular Long Beach.

One of the great things about living in Tofino is that it has great medical services for a community of its size. Tofino is serviced by the Tofino General Hospital, as well as the general practitioners at the Tonquin Medical Clinic. There are also other alternative health services available in the area such as massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and naturopathy. Finally, one of Vancouver Island’s largest hospitals, West Coast General Hospital, is located in Port Alberni which is a two hour drive from Tofino.

Several other small to large islands surround Tofino including Clayoquot, Wickaninnish Island, Vargas Island, Meares Island, Indian Island, and Warne Island. With so many fabulous little nooks and crannies making up the landscape surrounding Tofino, residents whose hobbies include boating and sailing can venture out for hours on end to explore the stunning coastline that makes up this section of Vancouver. 

With the many examples of fantastic real estate, exceptional amenities, and exciting excursions available in the Tofino area, it’s no wonder that this small town is a highly coveted area of British Columbia. The quality education system and welcoming neighbourhoods provide an incredibly attractive quality to seeking families. The absolutely stunning views and access to beautiful beaches and picturesque parklands give nature-lovers access to the natural resources that they so deeply crave. Tofino is an amazing place to call home and draws in a demographic so large, just about anybody can find a place perfectly suited to their needs and lifestyle preferences. Whether you’re a young family looking for a safe neighbourhood, a senior looking for a peaceful and beautiful retirement cottage, or an individual who prefers the great outdoors to the bustling city, Tofino, British Columbia, could just be the answer to your quest for your dream home. 

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