Tofino, on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, features a temperate rainforest climate with mild, wet winters and cool, drier summers. The town experiences abundant rainfall, frequent cloud cover, and dramatic seasonal changes. With long summer days, lush forests, and famed winter storms, Tofino is a year-round destination for surfers, nature lovers, and adventurers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Tofino’s climate is shaped by its Pacific coastal setting, resulting in four distinct seasons and significant precipitation. Summers (June–August) are cool to mild, with average highs of 17–20°C and lows of 10–12°C. July and August are the warmest and driest months, offering up to 8 hours of sunshine per day and around 61–84 mm of rain over 10–11 days monthly. Fog is common in August, locally known as 'Fogust.' The sea temperature peaks at 13–14°C in late summer, and daylight stretches to nearly 16 hours at the solstice. Gentle breezes and partly cloudy skies make for comfortable beach days, though rain is always possible.
Winters (November–March) are long, mild, and extremely wet, with average highs of 8–10°C and lows of 3–5°C. January is the coldest month, but temperatures rarely fall below freezing. Rainfall peaks in November and December, each averaging 432–474 mm over 20–22 days, and storm watching is a popular activity. Snow is rare, and most precipitation falls as rain. Days are short and often overcast, with just 2–3 hours of sunshine and 8–9 hours of daylight. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are transitional, with mild to cool temperatures (12–18°C), frequent showers, and vibrant natural scenery. Annual precipitation is very high, averaging 3,000–3,100 mm, supporting lush rainforests and a rich coastal ecosystem.
| Average climate data for Tofino, Canada | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 17 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 215 | 110 | 137 | 98 | 39 | 37 | 24 | 36 | 76 | 129 | 227 | 235 | 1,363 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 19 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 174 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 12 | 20 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 60 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 82 | 82 | 81 | 79 | 79 | 81 | 82 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 82 | 81 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 63 | 57 | 57 | 50 | 42 | 43 | 28 | 28 | 38 | 46 | 54 | 59 | 47 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Tofino is from June to September, when temperatures are mild (17–20°C), rainfall is lowest, and the town is lively with outdoor activities, surfing, and festivals. These months offer long daylight hours, comfortable weather, and the best chances for sunshine, making them ideal for exploring beaches and rainforests.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when rainfall is highest, days are shortest, and frequent storms can limit outdoor activities. While winter is famed for storm watching and cosy escapes, the cool, wet, and windy conditions may not appeal to all travellers, though the town remains atmospheric and peaceful.
Tofino has a temperate rainforest climate with cool, drier summers and mild, very wet winters. Rain falls year-round, with peaks in late autumn and winter. Summers are ideal for outdoor activities, while winters are famous for storm watching.
The best time to visit Tofino is from June to September, when the weather is mild, rainfall is lowest, and the town is vibrant with festivals and outdoor activities. Early autumn is also pleasant for fewer crowds and comfortable conditions.
Yes, Tofino is one of Canada’s wettest towns, with annual precipitation around 3,000–3,100 mm. Rain falls year-round, with the wettest months in November and December and the driest in July and August.
Summer highs in Tofino typically reach 17–20°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Heatwaves above 25°C are rare, and evenings are usually cool and comfortable for beach walks.
The Pacific is cold year-round, with sea temperatures peaking at 13–14°C in late summer. Wetsuits are recommended for swimming and surfing, even in July and August.
Snow is rare in Tofino due to its mild coastal climate. Most winter precipitation falls as rain, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket or waterproof coat, and sturdy shoes or boots. In summer, bring sun protection and a jumper for chilly nights. For water sports, a wetsuit is essential year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (17.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is February (6.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 11.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (12.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (3.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is July (13.3 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (7.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (234.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (24 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,363.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (19.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (6.9 days). Over the whole year there are 174.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is March (22.7 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 60 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (2.4 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 6.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (82.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is May (78.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 81.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (16.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (9.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (63.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (28.2 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 47.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 6.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.1.
