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Tofino Student Tours: Educational School Trip Itinerary

  • 4 nights / 5 days
  • Outdoor education, science, geography, arts, social studies, history, physical education, esg, leadership skills

On a truly immersive outdoor exploration, take your students on an adventure through Vancouver Island, visiting three great spots: Tofino, Ucluelet, and Parksville. Enhance outdoor learning goals through an overnight field study, where students will participate in setting up camp, learning outdoor skills, and connecting with nature. 

Tofino is situated in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations

Top Highlights

  • Hiking amongst the old-growth forest and Pacific coastline
  • Surfing & Biking
  • Camping & Evening Campfires
  • Outdoor skill-building lessons, climate change educational workshop, & connection with Indigenous perspectives
  • Roy Henry Vickers Museum, Tofino Botanical Gardens, Ucluelet & Tofino Sites, Coombs, Parksville, & more.
  • Outdoor cooking lessons & Iron Chef cooking competition

What’s Included

We design unforgettable educational journeys for you and your students. Our educational trips include:

  • Shared occupancy at centrally located 3* and 4* hotels
  • Breakfast at hotels
  • Dinners at restaurants featuring local cuisine
  • Private transfers
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and on the ground
  • Private coach for the duration of your tour

Itinerary

Arrive in Vancouver 

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island, an island known for its incredible nature and natural scenery, ranges from rugged coastlines and sandy beaches to dense forests and towering mountain peaks. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and a year-long outdoor playground. Begin your adventure with a scenic ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Your first stop is a beautiful Provincial Park known for its stunning beaches and accessible amenities. This day will give you a taste of the island’s natural beauty, local culture, and laid-back vibe.

Activities:
    • Ferry Ride: Take a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, and set up camp.
    • Beach Time & Storytelling: Relax and explore the beach, enjoy local foods and learn about Vancouver Island’s rich history and culture through engaging storytelling sessions.

    • Parksville Pitch and Putt: Head to Parksville for a fun round of pitch and putt.

Vancouver Island | Tofino

Journey to Tofino, a small yet adventure-filled coastal town located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, known for its surf culture, natural beauty, and welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. Tofino also offers an artistic vibe and a growing culinary scene focused on fresh, local seafood. 

Situated within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino attracts nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by incredibly stunning landscapes.

Activities:

    • Coombs Market: Known for its famous rooftop goats and quirky charm, Coombs Market offers an interesting pitstop to stretch your legs and explore unique local goods.

    • Cathedral Grove: Visit Cathedral Grove, home to some of the largest and oldest trees on Vancouver Island. 

    • Outdoor Skills Practice: Students will participate in a hands-on outdoor skills session, learning vital skills such as knot tying, tarp setups, and outdoor cooking techniques.

    • Campfire Stories: The day will conclude with a cozy campfire where students will gather to hear stories about Tofino and the West Coast.

Vancouver Island | Ucluelet

Head to Ucluelet, another charming coastal village located on Vancouver’s west coast, just a short distance from Tofino. Perched in between forests and the coastline, Ucluelet offers a quiet alternative to its well-known neighbor, Tofino. Explore the various points of interest in Ucluelet, and learn about the area through settler and Indigenous perspectives. Visit the Wickaninnish and Long Beach for an interpretive coastal walk, and end the day with an Iron Chef cooking competition followed by a student skit night at the campfire.

Activities:

    • Wickaninnish & Long Beach: Enjoy an interpretive coastal walk through the renowned Wickaninnish and Long Beach, famous for their scenic beauty and historical significance. This walk will deepen students understanding of the region’s ecology and culture.

    • Student Skit Night: To end the day on a light-hearted note, gather around the campfire for a student skit night, sharing laughter, creativity, and the joy of adventure.

    • Iron Chef Cooking Competition: Take part in a lively Iron Chef-inspired cooking competition. Using fresh local ingredients, students will work in teams to create delicious dishes in a fun, competitive atmosphere.

Vancouver Island | Tofino

End your journey with more time in Tofino, and reflect and connect with the land through a sunrise ceremony and exciting outdoor activities. Gain valuable environmental knowledge through art and education workshops.

Activities:

    • Sunrise Ceremony & Camp Breakdown: Start the day early with a sunrise ceremony, where we’ll reflect and connect with the land before taking down our campsite and preparing for the day ahead.

    • Roy Henry Vickers Art Gallery & Botanical Gardens: Visit the Roy Henry Vickers Art Gallery to explore the stunning Indigenous artwork of this renowned local artist. 

    • Tofino Botanical Gardens: Head to the Tofino Botanical Gardens for an educational workshop focused on climate change and environmental conservation efforts. 

    • Morning Surfing Lesson: Head to the beach for a morning surfing lesson. Tofino is known for its world-class waves, making it the perfect location for beginners and seasoned surfers alike.

Depart From Vancouver

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!
Tamara Bahry / Toronto Canada
Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!
Rob Romero / King City, Canada
The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.
Kerri Torrey / Toronto, Ontario
Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.
Tammy and Jason / Toronto, Ontario

Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

  • We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
  • Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
  • Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
  • Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.