Mossfern Gate 49°N · Pacific Rim, BC

Tofino & Long Beach area

Surfing: Chesterman, Cox Bay, and cold water

This is a genuine year-round surf destination — and a genuinely cold-water one. Here's which beach suits which skill level, and the gear that isn't optional.

Water temp
Rarely above 14°C, even summer
Beginner beach
Chesterman Beach
Bigger swell
Cox Bay
Lesson cost
~$99/person, gear included

Which beach, which level

Chesterman for beginners, Cox Bay for more swell

Chesterman Beach is the most popular learning beach: consistent waves at both high and low tide, softer whitewash for beginners, and enough room along its long stretch that it rarely feels crowded even when busy. Cox Bay is Chesterman's bigger, more powerful sibling, better suited to intermediate and advanced surfers when a larger swell is running.

Reputable surf schools choose the actual beach for a lesson on the day, based on that day's tide, wind, and swell — not a fixed location. A mixed group lesson runs around $99 per person for ages 13 and up, with all gear included.

Surfers in the water at Chesterman Beach, whitewash visible
Chesterman's gentler whitewash is the standard beginner-lesson beach.

Keep exploring