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two people stand up paddleboarding in bright sunlight

Jeremy Koreski

Activities & Adventures Paddleboarding

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Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) offers a new vantage point to get on the water and see the sea life along the ocean floor on a calm day.

While Tofino is well-known as a surfing destination with big swell, there are also calm inlets and channels to paddle. See the beach from the ocean, meet the curious seals on the Tofino Inlet, or take a yoga class while you balance on a board. 

Summertime peelers (small waves) are a great time to experiment with paddleboard surfing, using the paddle to propel yourself into riding the wave. 

Time to SUP
Beach safety

There are no lifeguards on the beaches in Načiks (Tofino) or Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Before you visit the beach, learn how to stay safe from potential hazards like riptides and unexpected waves. 

Where and when to paddle?

Picking the right spot and time for paddleboarding is key, as some beaches are known for bigger waves best suited for surfing. Here are some of our recommendations to keep your stand-up paddleboarding serene. 

aerial shot of two people stand up paddleboarding at sunset

Tin Wis / MacKenzie Beach

Tin wis in Nuu-chah-nulth translates to “calm waters” and was a gathering site for whalers to haul their catch onto the beach, away from the crashing waves. This protected bay makes a great place to paddle and see the subtidal marine life clinging to the rocks.  

silhouettes of 3 people on paddleboards at sunset

Dawn & dusk

The start and end of the day typically have lighter winds. Get a friend and fasten your leash just after sunrise or in time for golden hour. Enjoy smooth sailing in hues of orange and pink.

man SUP surfing with paddle on wave under clear blue sky

Summer peelers

There are days in summertime when the swell is  0.5-1ft at the surfing beaches, making it almost too small for traditional surfing. Paddle out back on a SUP and use the extra momentum to push into these cruisey, small breaks. 

silhouettes of two people doing SUP yoga under a purple sunset

SUP yoga

Trade in your yoga pants for neoprene and head out into the calm bay at MacKenzie Beach with Tofino Yoga for their unique paddleboard yoga practice. 

close-up of two people stand up paddleboarding and splashing water

Jeremy Koreski

woman and man in wetsuits on paddleboards and splashing water at each other

Jeremy Koreski

woman and man in jackets holding paddlebpards and walking out of the ocean at sunset

Jeremy Koreski

Your SUP experience starts here

Book a SUP tour with a certified guide, or rent a wetsuit and board for a shoreline paddle of your own.

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