School Trips & Field Schools
Tofino is one of the most inspiring outdoor classrooms on the West Coast and Tofino Hostel Whaler’s Guesthouse is the perfect base for your next school trips, field course, or educational retreat.
Whether you’re studying marine ecology, Indigenous history, outdoor leadership, or creative writing, our central waterfront location gives your group direct access to beaches, trails, cultural sites, and local learning experiences.
We’ve hosted middle schools, high schools, universities, and field schools from across BC and beyond, and we’re set up to make your trip easy, affordable, and impactful.
We offer flexible room options to comfortably accommodate students, teachers, and chaperones, making group logistics easy. A large communal kitchen is available for group meals or prepping packed lunches before a full day of exploring. Our indoor lounge and covered outdoor spaces can be easily transformed into informal classrooms, group meeting areas, or evening debrief spots, suited for any school trips.
Tofino offers real-world, place-based learning opportunities in:
We’re happy to connect you with local educators, tour operators, and cultural organizations to build your school trips itinerary.
For students, a stay at Tofino Hostel Whaler’s Guesthouse is often as memorable as the field trip itself. The shared spaces and relaxed vibe foster connection and independence, allowing students to bond, reflect, and engage outside the classroom.
From group meals in the communal kitchen to late-night chats in the lounge after a day of exploring, the hostel environment supports both structured learning and spontaneous moments that make field schools so special. It’s not just a trip, it’s a full experience.
Tell us about your program, your group size, and your dates, and we’ll help you build a meaningful, memorable experience for your students.
Our guesthouse is a top choice for teachers and program leaders looking for student group accommodation in Tofino. We’ve hosted everything from high school outdoor ed classes to university field schools, and we understand what makes an educational trip successful.
Whether you’re organizing a multi-day science program, a coastal writing retreat, or a cultural studies course, our hostel provides the comfort, location, and flexibility to support your goals. If you’re searching for a trusted spot for Tofino field schools or educational trips in BC, we’d love to help bring your itinerary to life.
The Whalers Guesthouse Tofino Hostel is centrally located on the waterfront in downtown Tofino, B.C., providing easy access to local beaches, shops, and restaurants.
We offer several options depending on your needs:
Yes, we have a fully equipped self-catering kitchen and a patio with a BBQ. For groups of more than 10, we recommend specific meal times to ensure all guests have access to the facilities. Suggested meal time for groups are as follows:
Of course, we ask that you clean up after yourself quickly after a meal so that the utensils your
group has used are available to others.
We offer paid onsite parking. Parking is limited at Tofino Hostel. When you check-in, please
register your vehicle at the reception and pick up your parking permit. You will need to have your
Parking Pass displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle. Please only park in your assigned spot.
We can assist your party with suggestions, a parking map of Tofino, and alternative parking options
when you check in. Please ask us for assistance.
Large buses over 20ft long must park at the District Parking lot, located on Campbell Street (at 2nd Avenue).
Drugs and hard alcohol are not permitted under any circumstances on our property. Wine and beer
are permitted in moderation. Smoking is permitted in the designated smoking area only. Weed smoking is NOT permitted on the property.
Please make your group is aware of our Drug and Alcohol policy before checking in.
Please ask your group to bring their own towels, especially with Surf Groups, our in-house towels are
not to leave the building. We do have towels available for showering, but in limited quantity, which is
why we suggest you bring your own especially if you want to use you are using it at the beach.
We know that often people like to bring their own special pillow or blanket with them travelling,
however, foreign/personal bedding is strictly prohibited on the premises. Anyone who does bring
their personal bedding into the room will have it removed by one of our staff.
If you need extra bedding, blankets, or pillows: Just ask our team and we are happy to help.
Yes! Guests receive 10% off local Eco-tours and lessons, plus discounts on equipment rentals when booked through our Adventure Center.
We have a dedicated surf shack for surfboards and wetsuits, as surf gear is not permitted inside the hostel. Additionally, you must use the outside rinse station; rinsing wetsuits or showering with them inside the hostel is strictly prohibited to protect our septic system and disrupts water flow.
We accept payment via direct deposit, domestic wire, or Interac e-transfer. Please note that while a Visa or Mastercard is required as security for the booking, we do not accept credit cards for the actual payment of group bookings.
Yes, we require a pre-authorized damage and noise deposit of $100 CAD per person at the time of check-in.
The hostel provides free WiFi for guests. We also have coin-operated laundry machines available on-site.
Yes, we have a limited fleet of 12 bikes, including regular and surf rack bikes. If your group plans to rent them, please let us know in advance so we can try to accommodate your request.
Our standard cancellation policy for groups is 30–90 days prior to arrival, depending on the group size and dates. For whole-building rentals, the notice period is usually 90–120 days. Please be aware that all payments are non-refundable.
Yes, we have wheelchair-accessible rooms available to accommodate guests with mobility needs.
Our facilities include a games room with a free pool table and HDTV , a library with a book swap and board games , and a lounge area with a fireplace and ocean views.
Absolutely! Our Adventure Center can book various activities for your group, including Hot Springs Cove tours, whale watching, bear watching, kayaking, and surf or paddleboarding lessons.
Since rates are determined on a group-by-group basis depending on travel dates, please email us at [email protected] for a specific quote.
Our waterfront guesthouse provides the perfect platform for exploring Clayoquot Sound for your school trip / field trip. Take advantage of our boutique accommodations, stunning harbor views, and exclusive group discounts on local tours. And we can also help you to plan your activities with special discounts!
