Cold water bodysurfing is not for the faint of heart, especially in the frigid waters off Canada’s Pacific Coast, but damn it feels good!
In September 2025, we took a bodysurf trip up to Tofino, a notorious cold water surf destination on Vancouver Island. Yes, we froze our butts off, but the endorphin rush from the cold water exposure was incredible!
We basically received all the same benefits of taking an ice bath, but with the added delight of being in the ocean and riding waves with nothing but our bodies (plus thick wetsuits, of course).
The beaches of Vancouver Island are huge, wild, and fringed by old-growth forest and dramatic rock formations, creating an epic backdrop for surfing. If you are looking for a cool and unique place to take a bodysurf trip, then I highly recommend you check out Tofino.
Tofino bodysurf trip highlights
Where we bodysurfed
For our bodysurf trip to Vancouver Island, we rented an Airbnb in a small harbor town called Ucluelet. Ukee, as it’s known by the locals, is walking distance to the ocean, and just a 15-minute drive from Tofino.
The morning of our first bodysurf, we rented wetsuits at West Coast Shapes surf shop on our way up to Tofino. The water temperature in September was about 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so we opted for 5/3mm wetsuits with a hood, gloves, and booties.
Pro Tip: bring swim fins that are a size bigger than your normally wear because you will have to fit them over thick booties.
After picking up our wetsuits, we continued driving up to Cox Bay, a favorite surfing destination for both beginners and experienced locals.
Cox Bay
Our first bodysurf was at Cox Bay, a popular sand bottom beach break near Tofino. The waves were 4-6 feet with light rain and offshore wind, offering us some really fun rides!
Thankfully, my pal Hannah Walsh captured some great moments from the session (see below).
September is regarded as one of the best months to surf Cox Bay: larger swells start coming in from the west/southwest, the water is still relatively warm, and favorable (offshore) winds from the east are more likely.
Additionally, Cox Bay features a number of high-quality showers, toilets, and changing rooms next to the parking lot—very convenient for changing out of your wetsuit post-surf!
Florencia Bay
We spent our second day bodysurfing at Florencia Bay, a beautiful beach break between Ucluelet and Tofino that is part of the protected Pacific Rim National Park.
Florencia is less trafficked than some of the better known beaches like Cox Bay, which gives it a quiet, wild feel. The beach is set in a cove surrounded by rocky outcrops and forest, with driftwood logs covering the sandy shore.
I recommend packing a cooler with food and drink and spending the whole day at Florencia beach if the weather is nice!
The convenient thing about bodysurfing here was the short swim out to the lineup, which was far less crowded than Cox Bay. Check out the following video to see just how stunning this surf spot was.
Benefits of cold water bodysurfing
I love bodysurfing in Canada because the ocean feels raw and untamed, with dramatic backdrops that make each session unforgettable. The extra buoyancy from wearing a thick wetsuit helps me catch and ride waves with ease, while the rush of endorphins from the cold water is exhilarating.
To balance out the chill, I recommend pairing cold water bodysurfing with a sauna session afterward. This “hot–cold circuit”—also called contrast therapy or the Nordic cycle—alternates between heat and cold exposure to boost circulation, reduce inflammation, lift mood, and leave you deeply relaxed.
We had some of the best nights of sleep ever after combining a cold water bodysurfing session with the heated wood sauna!
Food and drink recommendations
If you’re exploring the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino and Ucluelet offer some great spots for food and drink. Here are my personal favorites:
- Shelter Restaurant: Nestled along the waterfront, Shelter Restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere with views of the Tofino Inlet. Their menu features locally sourced, wild-caught seafood and other dishes crafted from organic ingredients. The cheese burger and sweet potato fries were amazing!
- Tofino Brewing Company: Tofino Brew Co. is known for its small-batch, handcrafted beers brewed with Pacific Northwest hops. Their tasting room is open daily from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, offering a variety of craft beers (I enjoyed the pale ale) and rotating seasonal options. For a bite, Toki Doki, an Airstream food truck, serves Japanese diner-style dishes right outside.
- Barkley Café: Situated in Ucluelet, Barkley Café is a family-run establishment known for its specialty coffee and tea, house-made baked goods, and fresh, made-to-order meals. Open daily from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, it’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch. We bought a delicious bag of coffee from here!
For more bodysurf travel tips, feel free to email me: spencer@thebodysurfblog.com
