The archipelago of islands, inlets, and channels surrounding Tofino is one of the wildest coastlines in Canada. Clayoquot Sound covers around 350,000 hectares and is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, protecting old-growth forest, kelp forests, salmon rivers, and marine habitats in a connected wilderness that extends from the open Pacific coast to the mountains of the interior.
Sea kayaking is the best way to explore the Sound — paddling among forested islands with sea otters floating nearby and eagles overhead is an experience unlike anything else in Canada. Multi-day guided trips, which range from beginner to advanced, depart from Tofino and include camping on remote beaches. For a shorter introduction, half-day and full-day tours are widely available. The sound also offers good stand-up paddleboarding in the calmer inner channels.