From the unmissable tide pools and the tombolo that divides it by north and south, Chesterman is one of Tofino's top beaches. This beach consists of a stunning near 3-kilometre stretch of sand just a 10-minute drive south of Tofino town. It's so luscious and loved by all who visit that Tofino's Chesterman Beach made Lonely Planet's list of best beaches in the world in 2024. It was also voted one of the best places to learn to surf in North America. Chesterman Beach is home to the Wickaninnish Inn, one of the top sustainable hotels in Canada. Stay here and you'll enjoy remarkable views of the Pacific and watch the crashing waves from the comfort of your bed. During the day, adventure out on a hike along the Lone Cone Trail or just wander the length of the beach before turning in for a farm-to-table dinner at the Inn.

Home to world-class surf competitions like the Rip Curl Nationals and the Queen of the Peak, not to mention some of Tofino's top hotels, Cox Bay is your bustling go-to Tofino beach. Located a few minutes drive south of Chesterman Beach, it's so well resourced here at Cox Bay that it is THE place to take surf lessons. The beach is also the widest patch of sand in the Tofino/Ucluelet area, and the surrounding bay provides a cozy atmosphere to all who visit, making it one of the most popular beaches in Tofino for tourists and locals alike. When people aren't surfing or lounging on the beach in the summer, they're storm watching in the winter. Cox Bay sees some of the strongest waves and riptides in all of Tofino. Oh, and you'll definitely need a wetsuit. With water temperatures rarely rising above 10 degrees Celcius, packing a wetsuit, a decent sweater, and a raincoat is a must for a trip to Tofino anytime of year.

Located in the southern end of Tofino, parallel to the Pacific Rim National Park's Rainforest Trail is Long Beach. You can't miss this 16-kilometre narrow, extended stretch of beach on the map. Open year-round, Tofino's Long Beach is perfect for stretching your toes in the sand for an early morning or sunset walk. Afterwards, head to a nearby patio for a meal and chat with the locals, and you'll see why Tofino is such a gem destination. Long Beach is also a top spot for surf kayaking, and a popular summer surf destination during low tide. And with such a long stretch of sand to work with, you're bound to find your perfect little recluse. Long Beach is so vast that in it you'll find other beaches of interest, like Combers Beach and Wickaninnish Beach to the south. Other than the Green Point Campground near the middle section of the beach, there isn't a lot of accommodation options here at Long Beach. And this includes the Long Beach Resort, which is actually at Cox Bay.

Further south from Long Beach is the stunning Florencia Bay, another amazing surf spot and one of Tofino's best beaches. What makes Florencia Bay stand out from the rest of Tofino's beaches is the wooden staircase to get to the beach from Willowbrae Road from the south end of the beach. And after the scenic 1.5-kilometre hike down to sea level, you'll be greeted by a 6-kilometre stretch of sand with dramatic sand cliffs as the backdrop. A Pacific Ocean paradise, if you will. While a little more rocky and rugged than Tofino's more popular beaches - it's affectionately nicknamed 'Wreck Beach' by some locals - Florencia Bay is the place to go for nature lovers looking to take in the arae's pristine natural beauty while avoiding the crowds. Most hotels at Florencia and Halfmoon Bay are located by the southern end of the beach, such as Wya Point Resort and Florencia Bay Retreat.

Head north from Chesterman and you'll meet Mackenzie Beach, one of Tofino's best beaches for a family getaway with kids. Mackenzie is the calmest beach in all of Tofino, so this is your top spot for a peaceful beach day, especially if you're visiting during the warmer months. If you're up for some outdoor exploring, check out the tide pools by Crystal Cove during low tide. Organize a fun game of frisbee or beach volleyball and take in the beauty of this Tofino beach. Or, try your hand (and your balance) on a stand up paddleboard. Pack a picnic and make it a family beach day for the books. Mackenzie Beach Surf and Bike Rentals, including SUP boards etc have a shop open right along the beach from May to October. They also have a location open year-round at Hotel Zed if you're visiting during the cooler months. Lessons and tours also available. You can rent wet suits, SUP, and surfboards.

Tonquin is the closest beach to Tofino proper, so it's a perfect option for an outdoor getaway and some much-needed beach time if you're staying in town. Get here via the publicly accessible Tonquin Beach Trail, a 3-kilometre long path and 91 stairs that take you down to the beach. Hiking along the trail to get to this beautiful Tofino beach is a little adventure in itself. Take your time and stop at the lookout points along the way, spot Wickanninsh Island on a clear day and admire the boats docked at the harbour. At Tonquin Beach you can swim, run, wander, play some volleyball with friends, or just lay down and read a book. Without the surfing buzz of the other Tofino beaches, Tonquin is your ideal spot for a chill beach day.