Overview

Chesterman Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the Tofino area, on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. This west-facing spot receives direct Pacific swells and offers excellent surfing and kitesurfing conditions in SW to NW winds. The beach is divided into two sections by a small rocky headland. Spectacular scenery with temperate rainforest as a backdrop.

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Spot forecast for Vancouver Island | Chesterman Beach

Sunrise 08:32 · Sunset 17:43

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 1.6 km from the spot.

Thursday 12 November High tide 03:08 · 2.8 m Low tide 08:12 · 2 m High tide 14:02 · 3.3 m Low tide 21:09 · 0.8 m
Friday 13 November High tide 03:54 · 2.8 m Low tide 08:56 · 2 m High tide 14:40 · 3.1 m Low tide 21:53 · 1 m
Saturday 14 November High tide 04:47 · 2.7 m Low tide 09:51 · 2.1 m High tide 15:25 · 3 m Low tide 22:40 · 1.1 m
Sunday 15 November High tide 05:44 · 2.8 m Low tide 11:00 · 2.1 m High tide 16:24 · 2.8 m
Monday 16 November Low tide 23:30 · 1.2 m High tide 06:38 · 2.8 m Low tide 12:20 · 2 m High tide 17:42 · 2.6 m

Vancouver Island | Chesterman Beach: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

275h

in May · 28 rideable days

The season runs from April to July, peaking in May: 24 rideable days a month and 275 hours of usable wind, at 15 °C. The low point is January, at 7 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 73%13-20 knots · 26%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 73% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 7 °C. The wettest month is October, with 248 mm.

Monthly averages: Vancouver Island | Chesterman Beach

Monthly averages — Vancouver Island | Chesterman Beach — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	7.0	48 h	7 °C	144 mm
February	7.0	53 h	7 °C	93 mm
March	15.5	91 h	9 °C	218 mm
April	21.5	183 h	12 °C	60 mm
May	28.0	275 h	14 °C	47 mm
June	22.0	196 h	16 °C	48 mm
July	24.5	222 h	19 °C	12 mm
August	14.0	96 h	19 °C	40 mm
September	14.0	98 h	17 °C	94 mm
October	16.0	100 h	12 °C	248 mm
November	8.5	58 h	10 °C	183 mm
December	12.5	78 h	8 °C	201 mm

Photo gallery of Vancouver Island | Chesterman Beach

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Technical details of Vancouver Island | Chesterman Beach spot

The spot works with winds from SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Advanced

On the water

Pacific ocean waves — surf conditions with regular swell. Sandy bottom. Waves can reach 2-3m in big swells. Powerful shore break. The north section is more sheltered than the south. Cold water year-round (8-12°C).

Hazards

Powerful Pacific swell with violent shore break. Rip currents. Rocks between the two beach sections. Busy surf zone — surfers have priority. Very cold water (5/4 full wetsuit required). Remote from medical facilities. Bears possible on the beach.

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Tofino9.7 kmsource Environment Canada

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Additional stations

Tofino9.7 km

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source Environment Canada

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Vancouver Island | Chesterman Beach kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot