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Tofino Botanical Gardens

Tofino Botanical Gardens is a coastal rainforest attraction for tourists who love nature and culture. Strolling along waterside trails in the gardens and watching beautiful plants is a great opportunity; It is something that you would probably experience nowhere else.
Introducing the natural and cultural history of Clayoquot Sound, the 12-acre (5 hectares) botanical gardens are excellent to explore the relationship between the culture and nature of the area. Besides walking through stone paths and boardwalks, the herb and flower gardens induce visitors a unique sense of freshness.
The wooden sculptures include Determined Woman and Cycladic Dancer, double the beauty of the gardens. In addition, if you are interested in temperate rainforest conservation, the gardens conduct educational programs to augment your knowledge about the area's ecosystem.


Tofino Botanical Gardens Location

Tofino Botanical Gardens is located near Tofino at Alberni-Clayoquot regional district, Pacific Rim, Vancouver Island, off Canada's west coast. The access to the Tofino Botanical Gardens is via Pacific Rim Hwy. The elevation of the garden is about 20 m (65.6 ft). "Walking through Tofino Botanical Gardens would be marvellous,"; say most visitors.
There are several beaches around Tofino Botanical Gardens like Chesterman Beach at the south, MacKenzie Beach at the west, and Third Beach at the northwest. You can also enjoy your time in a coastal park in the northwest, which is Tonquin Park.


How to Get to the Tofino Botanical Gardens by Car

From Victoria:
Getting to Tofino Botanical Gardens from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-4 W. The route is 314 km (195.1 miles) and takes about four hours and 14 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Memorial Rd/BC-4 W in Nanaimo G. Take exit 60 from BC-19 N. After 155 km (96.3 miles), drive to Pacific Rim Hwy/BC-4 W in Tofino. Continue for 158 km (98.1 miles) more to reach Tofino Botanical Gardens.

From Nanaimo:
The route to reach Tofino Botanical Gardens from Nanaimo is BC-4 W. It is 204 km (126.7 miles) and takes about two hours and 50 minutes to reach the destination.
Head west on Fitzwilliam St toward Wesley St. After 800 m (2624.6 ft), continue onto Third St. Drive 1.9 km (1.1 miles) more and continue onto Jingle Pot Rd. After 650 m (2132.5 ft), turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). Drive for 41.3 km (25.6 miles) and take exit 60 toward Port Alberni for 1.5 km (0.9 miles). Merge onto Memorial Rd/BC-4 W. Continue to follow BC-4 W and after 128 km (79.5 miles), turn right onto Pacific Rim Hwy/BC-4 W. Drive 29.7 km more to reach Tofino Botanical Gardens.


The Hike to Get to the Tofino Botanical Gardens

There is no designated hiking trail to reach the Tofino Botanical Gardens.


History of the Tofino Botanical Gardens

In 1997 the Tofino Botanical Gardens was established by George Patterson. He had an initial image of a garden. It was made of three major parts: a concept, a site, and an action.
The garden's idea is that it can be both a basic introduction to the natural and cultural history of Clayoquot Sound and a place where the relationship between culture and nature can be explored.


Things to do around the Tofino Botanical Gardens Area

As a relaxing activity, getting a massage in a spa multiplies the pleasure you get from your vacation. In addition to therapeutic benefits and rehabilitation powers for your body, The Stillwater Message provides an extraordinary chance to refresh your mind and soul.
Developed to offer tourists comfortable accommodation, the Ecolodge is 12 bedrooms with affordable facilities. There is a fully-equipped kitchen which is available for guests. Also, different cakes, cookies and muffins are baked in the Ecolodge. Using organic vegetables and homemade eggs, the Ecolodge serves vegetarian, gluten-free meals.
Darwin's café
is a peaceful place with a lovely view for readers and thinkers. It contains patio seating, upright piano, and a library.

The Best Gardens Near Tofino Botanical Gardens

Tofino Botanical Gardens

Tofino Botanical Gardens

If you are interested in nature and culture, Tofino Botanical Gardens is a chance to learn. Strolling along waterside trails and watching beautiful plants is a great opportunity. Besides walking through stone paths and boardwalks, the herb and flower gardens give you a unique sense of freshness. Attending educational programs about the area's ecosystem is another choice you have.

Tofino Botanical Gardens Activities

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing adventure is all year round. The best kitesurfing experience you can have is in the fall and spring. Winter can bring some modest winds and huge waves. Summer is usually the peak season where you can find surfers anywhere.

Kayaking, Canoeing

The area from Tofino to Chesterman Beach and Clayoquot Sound is a world popular kayaking tourist destination offering several different experiences. Many tourists take a daily trip between 2 to 6 hours or even multi-day kayak adventures.

Surfing

Chesterman Beach has been rated one of the top 10 places in North America, especially in Canada, to learn surfing. Even in winter, which brings higher waves, the temperature is moderate enough to surf.

Hiking

For hikers, the beaches around are gateways to Vancouver Island's backcountry.

Swimming

Swimming over the ocean can become challenging sometimes. On the other hand, it turns to be quite a fantastic activity if you are well equipped. Watching the marine life under the sea as close as possible is everyone's desire.

Wildlife viewing, Bird watching

Relaxing and watching birds and rare eagles flying over the sea makes the wildlife around you even wilder! The best time for bird watching in the area is from May to September.

Windsurfing

The entire zone is overflowing with spots to ride. By getting the experiences of a guide, you can have real pleasure. After all, everything relying upon wind and swells.

Camping

Camping is a choice that almost everyone is willing to put on the top of his/her list. Make a fire and gather friends and family for a warm reunion.

Stargazing

While enjoying the mellow hit of the fire, stargazing will complete the night's graces at beaches.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Tofino Botanical Gardens

Ucluelet Whale Watching

Ucluelet Whale Watching

Make your Whale watching experience memorable enough to remember it even with closed eyes. in Ucluelet, you will have ample opportunities to encounter these gigantic marine creatures, and you may be lucky to observe other wildlife too. Those whale watching enthusiasts have the chance to attend the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival happening at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet and Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast.

Tofino Whale Watching

Tofino Whale Watching

Make your adventure worthwhile on Vancouver Island by visiting Tofino and not missing its whale-watching opportunities for the world. You may have the chance to gaze upon Orcas, the most widespread marine mammal on the earth. Clayoquot Sound, located near the Tofino, is a sandy shoreline with rich rainforest.

Clayoquot Sound Kayaking

Clayoquot Sound Kayaking

Welcoming kayakers from everywhere, Clayoquot Sound is a wild network of offshore islands, including alpine valleys, forests, rivers, lakes, and laidback beach towns. Rocky oceanfront coastlines with endangered and rare species living there have made this place a popular destination for paddlers who are not only satisfied by paddling and seek to experience other adventures.

Wya Point Camping

Wya Point Camping

Find the inside campers of yours while you are camping in Wya Point Campground. In the heart of an oceanside forest, Wya Point Campground offers opportunities for camping, and you are given a chance to choose which campsite you want to spend time at. Crystal water, sandy cove, and tide rocks that offer marine life sights and several beachfront cabins and yurts with ocean-view are available in Wya Point, making it an ideal place.

Cox Bay Kiteboarding

Cox Bay Kiteboarding

Great opportunities for kiteboarding are awaiting you in the realm of Cox Bay, no matter if you are an expert or a beginner. But beforehand, check the reports and wave directions. Besides, the magnificent beach of Cox bay offers an abundance of activities you may enjoy.

Wickaninnish Beach Storm Watching

Wickaninnish Beach Storm Watching

Big swells and harsh waves have made this quiet, beautiful beach a hot spot for storm watchers and surfers. So., let your journey lead you to Wickaninnish Beach, where you can meet your expectations of adventure and fun. It's a big beach for wandering on with a nice and long curving view. Wickaninnish Beach is a kid-friendly beach with high chances of observing diverse sea life. Then, do not miss it for the world.

Wild Pacific Trail Storm Watching

Wild Pacific Trail Storm Watching

While hiking Wild Pacific, you are given a chance to enjoy a fantastic storm watching. With hurricane-force winds, both trails of Wild Pacific offer an excellent opportunity to watch storms. Not to mention that overlooking views are provided throughout the hike, which doubles the joy of walking on this long stunning trail.

Kwisitis Visitor Centre Storm Watching

Kwisitis Visitor Centre Storm Watching

Have you ever experienced storm watching on a perched deck overlooking an eye-catching view of the Pacific Ocean? If not, Kwisitis Visitor Centre is awaiting you. As a beautiful exhibition for the natural and cultural patrimony of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, this excellent Centre offers unforgettable storm watching right on the Pacific shores, which guarantees your fun and adventure.

Long Beach Storm Watching

Long Beach Storm Watching

As one of the main recreational spots in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Long Beach features strong waves pounding the beach. This quality has made this beautiful scenic beach a hot spot for surfing and storm-watching enthusiasts. It is a beautiful and pristine beach on which having a lounge time or walking feels rejoiced. You can lose yourselves in the sand of Long Beach and find them once again.

Cox Bay Beach Storm Watching

Cox Bay Beach Storm Watching

After a long relaxing time on Cox Bay Beach, away from all the stress from urban life, if your souls are looking for excitement, the storm-watching opportunity provided for you may be able to satisfy that need. This clean and peaceful beach offers you a pristine view of the sunset and the chance to watch the surfers skimming the water. It is a good idea to walk and feel the sand upon your feet.

Chesterman Beach Storm Watching

Chesterman Beach Storm Watching

Fulfil your desires for storm watching in Chesterman Beach, near which you can find another tremendous hot storm watching spot, right on the north, Wickaninnish Inn. Chesterman Beach, known for its biggest swells, is a hot spot to enjoy storm watching. Visit the beach in winter and feel the drops of the rain upon your chicks. Also, while you are lying on the beach, you can enjoy observing paddlers and surfers doing their thing on the water.

Wickaninnish Beach Surfing

Wickaninnish Beach Surfing

Lead an adventurous life and get on the road to experience new adventures. Wickaninnish Beach welcomes surfers from all around the world, and this beautiful sandy beach is a great place to forget about all the bills and responsibilities. If you are looking for more reasons that justify Wickaninnish Beach's superiority for surfers, you may consider the lack of rocks with barnacles.

Long Beach Surfing

Long Beach Surfing

Every day in the round year, whenever you are on Vancouver Island and you crave surfing, Long beach welcomes you to its sandy realm. As one of the most popular recreational destinations on the island, Long Beach is one of the destinations for the hurricanes of the Caribbean, bringing some of the biggest and mightiest waves. This quality has made the beach a perfect place for surfers.

Florencia Bay Surfing

Florencia Bay Surfing

Start your surfing diary on Florencia Bay Beach, a fairly exposed shoreline that provides exciting and consistent surfing opportunities. Waves that come from different directions and hit the sandy beach and their quality are the prime triggers for you to start your surfing journey on this beach. The usual mellow waves are exceptional and fantastic, and they have made this beach a perfect place for surfing.

Chesterman Beach (North) Surfing

Chesterman Beach (North) Surfing

If you are a William, it would be amazing to explore and spend time on a beach with the shape of your first name's initial. Chesterman Beach (North), as one of the most-visited beaches on Vancouver Island, offers several recreational activities on its fabulous coastline. Surfing is one of the delightful adventures provided for you, allowing one to find seasonal tides on this stunning beach.

Tofino Botanical Gardens Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing

Get There

Highlights


1. All the climate data are on average.


Coastal rainforest
Waterside trails
Natural and cultural history
Botanical gardens
Herb and flower gardens
Wooden sculptures
Educational programs

What you Can Expect to See Near Tofino Botanical Gardens

Cape Beale Lighthouse

Cape Beale Lighthouse

The first lighthouse established in BC by the Canadian government is the original Cape Beale Lighthouse. It was constructed on the rugged cliffs of the Pacific Rim. The whole complex consists of the keeper's house and the lantern tower. Visitors can access this station by the hiking trail. The lantern tower is not open to the public, but you can enjoy the surroundings and the panoramic views.

Ucluelet

Ucluelet

Ucluelet is a district municipality in Pacific Rim. After Victoria, the Pacific Rim area is the second most visited tourism centre on Vancouver Island. Ucluelet has a distinctive portion in this field with salt-water fishing, surfing, standup paddleboarding, whale and bear watching, kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, swimming, storm watching, and beachcombing.

Wickaninnish Beach

Wickaninnish Beach

Wickaninnish Beach is a large stunning beach with sand dunes and access to the rainforest. Kilometres of sands make it possible to walk on the beach for a long time. Sit on the driftwoods or cliffs to rest and enjoy the view. It would be great staying there making a fire and watching the sun touch the ocean. This beach could be your excellent choice for swimming, storm watching, and surfing.

Tofino

Tofino

Tofino with its incredible sunset is a district on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It is busy in summer due to the various water sports. In winter many people come to Tofino to visit West Coast for storm watching and whale watching. The majority of the tourists are surfers, hikers, bird watchers, campers, whale watchers, anglers, and nature lovers.

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park

With a stunning coastline, Maquinna Marine Provincial Park is a remarkable wilderness area. It has spectacular scenery, a pristine environment and a gorgeous boardwalk. Taking a walk through its old-growth rainforest leads you to Tofino Hot Springs Cove. Wilderness camping, coastal hiking, sea kayaking, swimming, and wildlife viewing are among what you can expect at the park.

Low Tide Sea Cave

Low Tide Sea Cave

When the water retreat, Chesterman Beach magic will show up. Be there to watch the underwater tunnels that turn to damp passageways. This hidden jewel is the Low Tide Sea Cave. While you are walking there, it almost feels like a sandy carpet on the floor. The passage to the cave is encompassed by rock walls moss-covered with trees on top. The scenery is worthy enough to be captured.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Long Beach Unit

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Long Beach Unit

Long Beach is part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Its pristine coastal forest features trails suitable for hiking and biking. The park is one of the earliest and most popular surfing locations in British Columbia. Also, storm watching, bird watching and whale watching take lots of attention. Camping at the park makes it possible to get the most out of your visit.

Kennedy Lake Provincial Park

Kennedy Lake Provincial Park

Find your peaceful and scenic area somewhere between Kennedy Lake, the largest lake on Vancouver Island, and the Pacific Ocean. From freshwater to salty water, from beach to beach, is all the natural beauty of Kennedy Lake Provincial Park, making your beach-based recreation. It is a day-use destination, with an impressive lake and a beautiful intertwined forest.

Tofino Botanical Gardens

Tofino Botanical Gardens

If you are interested in nature and culture, Tofino Botanical Gardens is a chance to learn. Strolling along waterside trails and watching beautiful plants is a great opportunity. Besides walking through stone paths and boardwalks, the herb and flower gardens give you a unique sense of freshness. Attending educational programs about the area's ecosystem is another choice you have.

Virgin Falls

Virgin Falls

In the wilderness area of Alberni-Clayoquot C, where you may have a plan for camping, there is Virgin Falls, a gift from nature to adventure lovers. An abundant fantastic forest surrounds this magnificent 53 m (173.8 ft) waterfall. The pool under the waterfall has crystal clear water with mesmerizing blue shades, perfect for swimming and photography.

Gibson Marine Provincial Park

Gibson Marine Provincial Park

Nature heals, and her secret is patience. Gibson Marine Provincial Park on Flores Island attracts many people worldwide to kayak and gives them gifts; natural hot springs, sandy beaches, scenery, and wildlife. Hike in old-growth Sitka spruce forest, camping, soaking in the hot springs, kayaking, swimming, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing are the things you can do at the park.

Ahousat Hot Springs

Ahousat Hot Springs

Ahousat Hot Springs is a tourist destination with therapeutic uses for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Clear and tasteless water, room temperature, and excellent atmosphere put the hot springs into one of the most splendid sites for a relaxing experience. Soaking in hot springs despite several therapeutic benefits they have should be done by considering health conditions.

Cox Bay Beach

Cox Bay Beach

The beach is an excellent spot for challenging your talents out in the ocean and find happiness in salty waters. Cox Bay Beach is a great place for surfers also where you can do other water-based activities you desire. If you prefer walking beach to beach, start from Cox Bay Beach toward Chesterman Beach, one of the most visited beaches on Vancouver Island.

Long Beach

Long Beach

Find yourself in Long Beach and live by the currents. It is the longest one on Vancouver Island, which gives you hours of walking on the sands of the Pacific Rim region. It feels like a never-ending beach, where green and blue meet. As its park and the ocean are generous for activities, you will not regret spending more time on Long Beach.

Kennedy Lake

Kennedy Lake

Are you looking for a freshwater lake near Ucluelet? Then try out Kennedy Lake! As the largest lake on Vancouver Island, it is a reward from the Pacific Rim region. If you need a day hike and enjoy the beautiful wilderness, it's NOT too late! In the heart of Kennedy Lake Provincial Park, Kennedy Lake offers kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming chances.

Planning for the Tofino Botanical Gardens

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Terms and Conditions


1. You can buy postage stamps and mail postcards to friends and family from the garden.
1. No costumes, historical or period dress are permitted at the garden.

What Do You Think about Tofino Botanical Gardens?