Are you curious to know where the Twilight movies were filmed? The outdoor shots, filled with lush Pacific forests, were taken in and around Tofino, in British Columbia. Tofino, once a rather exclusive high end resort town, is now home to a lot of more affordable accommodation as well as many activities. Tofino is known for its camping, its surfing, whale-watching and hiking. Pack your hiking gear, get a travel insurance for your trip, and get a flight to Vancouver Island. You’ll discover one of the most beautiful places in North America, a pristine, untouched temperate rain forest.

Tofino is mostly known for its surfing. It has the best surfing of the West Coast north of California; people come from all over the world to try its waves. If you plan to surf, reserve well in advance. The summer is extremely popular, and it’s often harder to find a camping site than a hotel room. If you need lessons, surf schools abound, but are also very busy; again, advance reservations are a must. Remember that the water temperature is not tropical, and that you will have to warm up very frequently, after an hour or two of surfing.

If you enjoy sea kayaking, Tofino is the perfect spot for you. Many stores also rent sea kayaking equipment, and there are organized trips with guides. Sea kayaking in Tofino can be an amazing activity: the waters around the town are filled with wildlife. Depending on the time of the year, you will be able to see birds, fish and sea mammals. It’s perfect for some close-up whale watching! Be careful of the tides and currents; they can be violent and surprising. If you’re inexperienced, go with a guide.

If you don’t like water that much, you don’t have to be bored. Tofino and the Pacific Rim Park are filled with hiking trails and gardens, and are perfect for observing wildlife and birds. The Tofino Botanical Gardens are well-known for their exclusive theme gardens, and its possibilities for bird watching, especially in the spring. It is a popular site that has won awards, and is often home to yoga retreats and other health and well-being conferences. They have an online calendar with all their activities. There is accommodation on site, and excellent catering.

For the golfers, there is one golf course in Tofino. Given that it’s the only one, you also need to make reservations rather early; but the landscape and the views are definitely worth it. Prices for courses are between 25$ and 35$, and you can rent equipment at the pro shop. There is also a full restaurant for your after-game dinner!

This is only a small sample of all the activities you can enjoy in Tofino. While you are on Vancouver Island, you can also plan a visit to Nanaimo and Victoria; the island is full of nice attractions on the east coast. Get yourself a cheap travel insurance, and plan at least a week on the island. There are so many things to see that you might want to stay at least one more!