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I booked a last-minute trip to Tofino in March of 2023, not knowing exactly what to expect during the off-season of this British Columbia summer hot spot. I hadn’t heard too much about Tofino, but when I saw a hotel deal on TravelZoo, I figured why not turn it into a PNW adventure.
March turned out to be a good fit for the kind of Tofino trip we wanted. The weather was cool and wet, but it never kept us from doing anything we had planned, and the misty coastline felt especially fitting for a destination known for storm watching.
We only stayed two nights, which was enough to make me want to come back but not quite enough time to experience everything I wanted to. If you’re considering Tofino in March, I’ll share what our trip was like, how we spent our time, and why I’d recommend at least three nights.
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Is March a Good Time to Visit Tofino?
Yes, I think March is a great time to visit Tofino if you don’t mind cooler temperatures and some rain. We had drizzly weather during our trip, but it never stopped us from exploring the beaches, eating around town, or going whale watching.
Tofino is actually a destination where moody weather works. This stretch of Vancouver Island is known for storm watching, and walking along the coast with mist and low clouds felt like part of the experience rather than something we needed to work around.
That said, I wouldn’t assume that you can plan everything at the last minute just because it’s their off-season. We booked our trip fairly spontaneously and were surprised by how few hotels still had availability when we did our research. If there’s a particular place you want to stay, I’d book it about 1-2 months ahead rather than counting on off-season availability.
For me, the biggest tradeoff was simply accepting that March in Tofino probably isn’t going to be a warm, sunny beach getaway. If you’re coming for coastal scenery, good food, wildlife, and a slower few days by the Pacific, that doesn’t need to be a downside.
Where to Stay in Tofino in March
We stayed at Tofino Resort + Marina, which was a good fit for our short trip. The location was convenient for getting into town and for our whale-watching tour, and I would happily stay there again. We could easily walk into town from the hotel, and we loved starting our morning that way. If you plan to spend most of your time exploring Tofino rather than hanging out at your hotel, it’s a solid option.
For my next trip, though, I’d love to try somewhere that leans more into the moody, romantic side of Tofino and that’s a little more tucked away. Pacific Sands Beach Resort is high on my list because of its beachfront setting and the idea of being able to watch the weather roll in from the coast. Like many others, this property books up extremely early for the summer, and you’ll have better chances of booking during the off-season.
If you’re comparing hotels for a March trip to Tofino, I’d think about what exactly you want from the stay. Being closer to town is practical for restaurants and activities, and the walkability is hard to beat. A beachfront property may make more sense if storm watching, ocean views, and slower evenings are your top priority.
Amphitrite Lighthouse in Ucluelet
How to Spend a Weekend in Tofino
Day 1: Ucluelet & Arrival in Tofino
Instead of driving straight to Tofino, we used our arrival day to make a detour to nearby Ucluelet. It’s about 40 minutes south of Tofino, so it was an easy way to add another part of Vancouver Island to our trip without taking time away from our one full day in Tofino.
Our main stop was the Lighthouse Loop, a short section of Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trail that follows the rugged coastline around Amphitrite Lighthouse. It was a great first introduction to this part of Vancouver Island, with forest, rocky shoreline, and plenty of ocean views along the trail. The sunset here was truly unbelievable!
After our walk, we stopped at Ucluelet Brewing Company for drinks and dinner before driving north to Tofino. By the time we arrived at Tofino Resort + Marina, it was around 9 p.m., so we checked into our room and called it a night.
If you’re arriving early enough in the day, I’d absolutely consider adding Ucluelet to your drive into Tofino rather than trying to squeeze it into one of your full days. With such a short trip, I liked that we could explore somewhere new on arrival day and then wake up the next morning with the entire day available for Tofino.
Day 2: Downtown Tofino, Whale Watching & Tonquin Beach
Our only full day in Tofino started with breakfast at Shed, a casual spot with a cool surfer vibe that felt authentically Tofino. We liked it so much that we came back again before leaving town the next day. After breakfast, we spent some time walking around downtown, browsing a few shops, and getting a feel for the area. Tofino itself is small, so you don’t need to dedicate much of your itinerary to exploring town.
The main event of the day was an afternoon whale-watching tour with Jamie’s Whaling Station. We chose the tour on their covered boat, and they gave us heavy rain gear to help stay dry on a drizzly day. We spotted two gray whales from a distance, and I loved the experience. Cruising through the misty coastline and seeing Tofino from the water ended up being just as much a part of the tour as the wildlife itself.
I’m writing a separate review of our Jamie’s Whaling Station tour with more details about the boat, what we saw, and what I wish I had worn. For this itinerary, I’d plan on whale watching taking up a significant portion of your afternoon rather than trying to squeeze another major activity around it.
After the tour, we grabbed food from Tacofino and headed to Tonquin Beach. The weather was still gray and overcast, but that didn’t stop us from going to the beach. We took the scenic trail down to the beach and spent some time walking along the shoreline before heading back toward town. Tofino is known for its beaches, and although we were only able to check out a couple, they were picture-perfect.
We ended the day with dinner at Wolf in the Fog, which was a great way to wrap up a mostly casual, outdoors day. Wolf in the Fog is one of Tofino's higher-end restaurants, and the food was delicious. If you plan to dine here, make sure to reserve a table, even outside peak season.
Between downtown, whale watching, the beach, and dinner, we fit quite a bit into one full day without bouncing between a long list of attractions.
Day 3: Middle Beach & the Journey Home
We started our final morning back at Shed for breakfast before checking out of our hotel. With the long trip back ahead of us, we only had time for one more stop before leaving Tofino.
We chose Middle Beach, where we took one last walk along the coast before getting back on the road. I’m glad we made time for another beach rather than rushing straight toward Nanaimo. Even with gray March skies, spending time along the coastline was a big part of what I enjoyed about Tofino.
After that, it was time to start the long journey home. We drove back across Vancouver Island to Nanaimo, caught the ferry to the mainland, and continued toward Seattle.
This is where our two-night itinerary started to feel especially short. Once you factor in the ferry and the drive across Vancouver Island, getting to and from Tofino takes a significant chunk of the trip. I would absolutely return for another long weekend, but next time, I’d stay at least three nights, so I'd have two full days to explore before making the trip home.
How Many Days Do You Need in Tofino?
We spent two nights in Tofino, arriving in the evening and leaving after lunch on our third day. It worked for a quick getaway, but I would plan at least three nights if you have the time.
With only one full day, we had to fit quite a bit into a short window. We still went whale watching, explored the beaches, ate at several places around town, and had time to enjoy the coast, but I would have liked to do a few more things without squeezing them into our itinerary.
Three nights would give you two full days in Tofino, which feels like a better balance for a first trip. An extra day gives you more flexibility for the weather and more time to enjoy Tofino without constantly moving on to the next stop. If I had an extra day in Tofino, I’d likely have booked a day trip to Hot Springs Cove or a floating sauna experience through the hotel we stayed at.
What to Pack for Tofino in March
For a March trip to Tofino, I’d pack for cool, wet weather, since you’ll still spend plenty of time outside. A waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes that can handle damp trails and beaches, and layers you can easily add or remove throughout the day will go a long way.
If you’re going whale watching, bring more warm layers than you think you need. I wish I had brought merino base layers to wear under my clothes for the whale watching tour and hand warmers for my pockets. I was thankful the tour provider gave us heavyweight raincoats, but I was still cold from the chill in the air.
I also wouldn’t let a rainy forecast convince you to change your plans completely. We had drizzle during our trip and still hiked, explored the beaches, walked around town, and went whale watching. Having the right layers made the weather much easier to work with.
Visiting Tofino in March gave me exactly the kind of Pacific Northwest getaway I was hoping for: misty beaches, great food, time outside, and stunning coastal views.
Our two-night trip was short, but March itself wasn’t the problem. The weather never kept us from doing anything we wanted, and I liked seeing Tofino when the coastline felt a little moodier and less like a summer beach destination.
Next time, I’d stay at least three nights to give myself another full day without much of an agenda. I’d also pack significantly warmer layers for any activities on the water.
If you’re comfortable with a little rain and aren’t coming to Tofino expecting warm beach weather, I wouldn’t hesitate to plan a March trip!
Happy travels!
-Tess
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Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!