Tofino / Long Beach Airport

Tofino/Long Beach Airport sits on a flat stretch of land between Tofino and Ucluelet, roughly in the middle of the west coast peninsula. For most visitors, flying private is the practical choice: the road alternative from Vancouver requires a BC Ferries crossing to Vancouver Island plus a 3-hour drive through mountain terrain on Highway 4, a winding two-lane road that closes or slows in winter conditions.

The airport handles turboprops and light jets comfortably. It is not a port of entry, so customs clearance is not available on site. Flights arriving from outside Canada must clear customs elsewhere before landing at CYAZ. Operating hours are limited and the facility is unstaffed after hours, so confirm fuel availability and ground handling in advance, particularly for early morning or evening arrivals.

Tofino sees significant seasonal demand from May through October, when surf tourism and whale watching draw visitors from Vancouver and beyond. Expect higher charter demand and fewer available slots during summer weekends.

The town of Tofino is 12 km north of the airport, about a 15-minute drive. Ucluelet is roughly 40 km to the south, about 35 minutes. Car rentals are available at the airport, though supply is limited in peak season and advance booking is advisable. Most charter passengers arrange a rental car or private transfer rather than relying on taxis, which are scarce in this area.

Seaplane service from Vancouver Harbour (roughly 45 minutes flight time) is an alternative point of comparison when chartering, though CYAZ accommodates larger aircraft and is the only paved runway option in the area.