Tofino - Long Beach
Tofino is Canada's surf capital—a Pacific Rim National Park beach where temperate rainforest meets consistent North Pacific swells to create one of the world's most atmospheric surf destinations. The water is brutally cold, requiring 5mm wetsuits even in summer, but the waves are remarkably consistent and the scenery is world-class: old-growth forests, bear-frequented beaches, and a genuine wilderness feel that has become rare in developed surf destinations. The drive from Victoria is long but beautiful, and the rewards justify every minute.
Tofino - Long Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to YYJ, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when North America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in North America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Tofino - Long Beach trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (280°)
- Direction range
- 250° - 320°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
11°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Pacific Rim National Park. Multiple access points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Tofino - Long Beach?
Tofino - Long Beach is a beach break in Vancouver Island, Canada, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Tofino - Long Beach?
Tofino - Long Beach picks up swell from the WSW round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Tofino - Long Beach?
An E wind is dead offshore at Tofino - Long Beach, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 7am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Tofino - Long Beach?
Tofino - Long Beach has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Tofino - Long Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Tofino - Long Beach comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Sep too. Year-round swell but winter is most consistent.
How cold is the water at Tofino - Long Beach?
The water at Tofino - Long Beach averages around 11°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Tofino - Long Beach good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Cold water. Remote. Bear and wolf country.
How do I get to Tofino - Long Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is YYJ, then it's roughly a 4.5-hour drive. Pacific Rim National Park. Multiple access points.
What other surf spots are near Tofino - Long Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Cox Bay (0.8 km), handy when Tofino - Long Beach isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Apr
Year-round swell but winter is most consistent.