(This article is promoted by Tourism Tofino.)

Flowers bloom as early as February, and T-shirt weather is as much of an early spring reality in Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s west coast, as wearing gumboots (or wellies). The new life bursting out everywhere is the perfect antidote to the winter blues!

Tofino often feels like another world…yet it’s a hop, skip, and jump via scheduled air trips from Vancouver, gliding over the Salish Sea and snow-capped Vancouver Island mountains for a 40-minute flight.

The drive from Vancouver, including a B.C. Ferries sailing, is a journey filled with sights and must-do stops, like the towering Douglas fir trees at Cathedral Grove.

In Tofino, the celebration of spring's arrival is shared by people and wildlife alike—like the 20,000 or so grey whales migrating their way past the shores of Clayoquot Sound. They know it's the place to be.

The season officially begins in March with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, now running through March 27, and winds up mid to late October, as whales migrate south to the Baja Peninsula to birth their calves in warm lagoons.  

You may already be aware that Tofino is a year-round surfing destination, with a thriving arts and “makers” scene and a strong boat-to-table food culture. But did you know that Tofino is situated within the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, especially known for its coastal temperate rain forest?

Diverse ecosystems exist within the reserve boundaries; they include ancient temperate rainforests, large and small lakes, rivers and streams, alpine peaks, open ocean, rocky coastal shores, long sand beaches, estuaries, and mud flats that are home to thousands of migratory shorebirds who stop to feed on their epic journeys. Cue in the Tofino Shorebird Festival, returning in late April!

Do you like trivia?  We’ve developed a giveaway that’s as tempting and adventurous as it is informative, when it comes to the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Brush up on some of your eco-knowledge about Clayoquot Sound and its revered wildlife and you'll be a naturally for our Spring Adventure giveaway.

It features a grand prize stay at Long Beach Lodge Resort on dreamy Cox Bay Beach or a runner-up prize getaway at Ocean Village Resort on golden MacKenzie Beach!

We’re also including adventures with Atleo Air, Pacific Surf Co., West Coast Aquatic Safaris, Paddle West Kayaking, and more, as well as meals from Wolf in the Fog, Shelter Restaurant and RedCan Gourmet. It's spring, and the time for learning about Tofino is right.

Click here to enter the Bio-Trivia Contest today! It closes on March 31.

This article is promoted by Tourism Tofino.