If you’re on the hunt for big waves and thriving surf culture, warm and laid-back places like Hawaii, Australia, California and Indonesia are probably what comes to mind, along with sun-kissed skin and calm, sandy beaches.
The west coast of Canada is a different story. While it certainly doesn’t provide the warm-weather experience, you might be surprised by the quality of waves here on Vancouver Island. But you’ll have to ditch the image of the stereotypical, laid-back surfer. Here on the west coast, surfers of all skill levels must wrap themselves head to toe in neoprene just to survive the frigid Pacific Ocean in the winter.
If you’re ready to brave the cold for some excellent west coast surfing, from Victoria you don’t have to go too far. In this article, we’re highlighting some of the best surfing destinations near Victoria.
Tofino
About 4-5 hours from Victoria by car, Tofino is the undisputed top surfing destination on the west coast – safe to say the whole country. Surfers come from far and wide to enjoy Tofino’s year-round surfing opportunities fit for a range of skill levels.
Winter is by far the best time of year for surfing, but the surfing industry is open for business all year-round. The ocean temperature won’t change much whether you’re here in the summer or winter, so anytime you head into the water you’ll definitely want a wetsuit.
Along with the waves, Tofino is home to an ideal surf culture. There are numerous surf instructors, group classes and surf schools available for all ages, plus surf shops and rental shops all over town to gear up at. You’ll also find campsites, resorts, coffee shops and breweries that make Tofino the world-class destination that it is.
These are three of the best surfing spots in Tofino:
Cox Bay
Cox Bay is probably the best and most popular surfing spot in the country. You’ll find waves of all sizes all year round. The beach is divided into the “Corner” on the right, the “Middle”, and “Lando’s” on the left. The “Corner” is definitely a higher difficulty spot, but the “Middle” is where you’ll find most surfers.
North Chesterman Beach
North Chesterman Beach is a little more sheltered, which makes it a great backup plan when the surf at Cox Bay is looking scary. As a steeper beach, North Chesterman is your best chance to catch more vertical and hollow waves. But keep in mind this is a wintertime beach, as things really flatten out in the summer.
Long Beach
Long Beach is certainly the most iconic surfing spot in Tofino, along with the largest. Because it’s so long and broken up into several beaches, it offers opportunities for both beginners in one area and experts as you near Incinerator Rock. Because of the beach’s direct western exposure, Long Beach is the closest you’ll get to freewheeling, Hawaii-style surfing with powerful swells and great peeling surf.
Jordan River
While Tofino is home to hands-down the best surfing on the Island, you don’t have to travel as far for great surfing. Jordan River is located just past Sooke about an hour away or 60 km from downtown Victoria. On any given day, Jordan River will spit out waves from 2 to 10 feet. The conditions and quality of surf all depends on the wind, the tide, and the swell. While inconsistent at times, everything has to align for the best possible surfing.
The community of Jordan River is tiny and remote – you won’t find any crowds of tourists or resorts here. But what you may find is some hardened, slightly salty locals who want to preserve their spot. The localism isn’t as strong as it was in the ’90s and early 2000s, but you’ll still find some territorial surfers if you’re venturing around a spot called “The Point”.
Unless you’re local, it’s best to stick to “Sewers”, “Puni’s”, or “Rockpiles”. “Sewers” is one of the busiest spots and the first one you’ll see when you turn the bend to the first parking lot. “Puni’s” and “Rockpiles” are a little quieter, found on the other side of the campground.
Sombrio Beach
Sombrio Beach is a rugged surfing destination found between Jordan River and Port Renfrew, about an hour and a half from Victoria. It’s a wild place that’s pretty much untouched – about as off-the-beaten-path as you’ll find here on the Island.
For decades prior, Sombrio was home to renegades and a thriving hippie community that housed themselves in shacks off the grid, living off the land and surfing. They’ve since been replaced by an extensive park and trail network, but the spirit is still alive and well. You can even camp on the beach!
While not as consistently surfable as Tofino, Sombrio is still a great surf destination. There are both right and left-breaking waves, which are heavily influenced by the changing tides. You’ll also want to be mindful of confusing rip currents and reef hazards. The beach itself has a few main surf spots, but “1sts” and “2nds” are two of the main spots where you’ll find the big breaks.
China Beach
Found along the same route as Jordan River and Sombrio Beach, China Beach is the other remaining surf spot close by. Like the others, the surf can be inconsistent and is predominantly flat in the summertime. The best time to come is during winter. Plus it rarely gets crowded unless you come during a hot summer day or on a busy surf weekend in the winter.
One of the reasons why you’ll find China Beach far less crowded is because of the decent hike you’ll need to take on from the parking lot. Once you get there, the right side of the beach is generally known for the longest waves.
