Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Region since 2000, Clayoquot Sound is a tapestry of thriving ecosystems. From the rainforest to the mudflats, intertidal zones to the Pacific Ocean, each life form is interconnected.
The continued guidance of the Nuu-cha-nulth People leads the stewardship of this area and its future well-being. Learn about their culture and values and take the ʔiisaak Pledge to understand what it means to recreate responsibility, respectfully, and safely.
For information on wildfire updates and water announcements, please check our advisories and bulletins.
Observe your surroundings as you walk through the forests, along the sand, and through the water. Respect for nature begins with understanding where you are and your impact on the environment. With many visitors each year, we all do our part to keep beaches and forests healthy. Here are some tips to keep nature thriving:
Stay on the trails to avoid disturbing the forest floor.
Admire nature but leave it in its place. Do not take anything from the beaches or forests.
Don’t play music while hiking and keep a respectful distance from others.
Take your garbage with you, including biodegradable food waste.
Due to our proximity to the Tofino Harbour Water Aerodrome and to the Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ), drone use in and around the District of Tofino is restricted. Consult the Transport Canada regulations for more information.
The wildlife here - from migratory shorebirds to elusive bears and the fish in the sea - all live in careful balance. Here are tips to respect the creatures around you:
Walk with caution on the intertidal zones and avoid stepping on marine life, including barnacles!
Learn about wildlife safety and report sightings and injuries.
Wildlife safety FAQs
Do not run and do not make direct eye contact. Pick up small children and stay in a group. Back away slowly and speak in a soft voice. Black bear attacks are rare and the bear typically gives warnings before any potential attack.
Keep calm. Pick up children and small pets immediately. Make yourself look as large as possible, maintain eye contact, and speak to it in a loud, firm voice. Back away slowly and seek shelter keeping the cougar or wolf in view and allowing a clear exit for the animal. Never run or turn your back, as sudden movements may provoke an attack.
Cougars in conflict are usually young cougars who have not yet learned how to hunt or older cougars who can no longer hunt efficiently in the wild. They may view children as an easy target, due to their high-pitched voices and small size.
Injured wolf, cougar, and bear sightings and conflicts should be reported. In Pacific Rim National Park Reserve report injured wildlife or conflicts to Parks Canada staff at 250-726-3604. Outside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve report all conflicts with wildlife that threaten public safety to Wildsafe BC at 1-877-952-7277.
Report all marine mammals and sea turtles found entangled, stranded, distressed, or dead. Call the Marine Mammal Incident Reporting Hotline at 1-800-465-4336. Check out the Canadian Marine Animal Response Alliance for more information on how to help protect and save our marine life.
Summers are getting increasingly warm and surrounding forests can be extremely dry. We ask that before you contemplate a fire, you do your due diligence on understanding the restrictions and regulations. Wildfires and fire bans generally start in summer and end in mid-October. Some other essential information to know:
Understand and obey fire bans.
If you decide to smoke, dispose of your extinguished butts safely in a receptacle.
Follow the rules for beach fires (see below).
Fireworks are only permitted on 5 specific days of the year (see below).
Beach fires and fireworks FAQ
There are some rules to follow if you decide to have a beach fire.
Beach fires are only permitted on MacKenzie and Chesterman beaches between 8 am and 10 pm.
Must be contained in a clean burning or reduced smoke fire appliance*.
Do not use beach materials (e.g. driftwood, sticks, etc.), garbage, refuse, noxious material, or any other material other than wood.
Can be no larger than 24 inches in diameter and less than 1 metre high.
Must be at least 3 metres from vegetation, logs, and structures.
Must be supervised at all times by a person 16 years of age or older.
Pack in and back out all your personal items, food, and garbage.
*A clean-burning or reduced smoke fire appliance uses propane or dry firewood, is raised off the ground, and allows air to be introduced through mechanical or ventilation openings.
Campfires are permitted on private land (e.g. private homes, vacation rentals, resorts, etc.) as long as a fire ban is not in effect for the Coastal Fire Zone or put in place by the District of Tofino fire chief. More information is available from the District of Tofino.
Park visitors with a valid park entry or camping permit are authorized to have beach fires in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in the following locations only:
Florencia Beach
Wickaninnish Beach
Schooner Cove Beach
Radar beaches
Excludes: Long Beach between the bottom of Schooner Trail and Sandhill Creek on Combers Beach; Swim Beach on Kennedy Lake.
All beach fires are subject to the following conditions:
Fire sites must be a minimum of 3 metres from drift logs, the forest, overhanging vegetation and structures;
Fires are prohibited in the forest and in sandy areas with evidence of root systems underneath;
Fires must be less than 1 metre in diameter and less than 1 metre high – small enough to extinguish quickly and completely;
Fires must be burnt to ashes and extinguished with water until cool to the touch (do not bury with sand unless in an emergency); and
Once the fire has been extinguished, all signs of the fire must be obliterated.
We love a good celebration but the calm of Tofino’s surroundings is what makes it the peaceful place it is today. Within the District of Tofino, fireworks (including display fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects fireworks, consumer fireworks, Roman candles, and pinwheels) and firecrackers are prohibited except on the following dates and times:
January 1, July 1, July 4, October 31 and December 31.
Burning driftwood releases noxious chlorine-containing compounds called dioxins and furans. The saltwater within the wood is chemically altered and released into the air when burned. Please do not burn driftwood.
Conserve water
Make every drop count. Dryer summers are impacting Tofino’s water supply. Join this region’s long history of stewardship by using less water.
Keep showers to 4 minutes or less.
Turn off the tap when doing dishes, shaving, or brushing your teeth.
Do laundry and dishes only when you have a full load.
There are no lifeguards on any beach in Tofino or in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It is imperative to pay attention to signs at beach entrances for information on tides, rip currents, and emergency information. There are numbers for each beach entrance that will help direct traffic for EMTs in emergency situations.
The waters of Tofino look inviting but they are cold. The Pacific Ocean has an average water temperature of 10°C, even in the summertime. Here are some tips to keep you safe and warm:
Only enter the water with a thermal protection layer (wet or dry suit).
Swimsuits are not acceptable attire for cold water.
Learn to spot signs of cold water exposure and hypothermia.
Surge waves or sneaker waves are unexpected, but not uncommon. These waves can occur in sets where a series of small waves are followed by a larger set of very unpredictable waves. They can happen at any moment and often catch people off guard. Here are tips for how you can stay safe:
Always face the ocean.
Refrain from standing, climbing, or walking on rocky ledges and areas.
Keep your eye on the changing waves in the ocean.
Act fast to move away from waves and the beach area when unexpected waves occur.
Rocks, logs, and tidal areas are slippery. It’s easy to lose your footing and fall. Keep your eyes on your surroundings and don’t walk out on any rocks, cliffs, or tidal beach areas.
Rip currents start near the shore and move water quickly out to the sea. If you find yourself stuck in a rip current, it can quickly take you out of your comfort zone and deeper into the ocean or into rocks. Some expert surfers or rescuers use rip currents to access surf zones or reach people, but this is only for those who have advanced training. For most people, rip currents are major hazards. Here are some tips to stay safe:
If caught in a rip, stay calm.
Never let go of your board or floatation device. It can help you float or alert responders to you.
Swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current, then head for the beach.
If you can’t escape, raise your arm in the air and shout for help.
Read signage at local beaches to understand rip currents in the area.
Understanding the tides is imperative when exploring the beach. Tides can come in quickly, isolating rocks and creating terrain traps for beach strollers. Here are some tips to be safe on the beach:
Stay away from rocks and small, enclosed beaches or coves if the tide is coming in.
Watch the rising tide while on your route and exploring the beach.
Keep track of time while exploring shoreline areas.
Large driftwood logs only need a few inches of water in order to float and wash ashore. Especially in the winter, this can happen quickly and logs can be tossed onto the beach. These logs can roll, knock you off your feet, or trap you beneath them. Even small logs can weigh tonnes. Be wary of these hazards while on the beach.
Guests are welcomed with open arms in Načiks (Tofino), but they are expected to respect the land, animals, people, and community while travelling within the Hahuulthi (territory) of the ƛaɁuukwiatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Ḥaw̓iiḥ (Hereditary Chiefs). Take the ʔiisaak Pledge to ensure that you travel here thoughtfully.
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