Surprise Reef, Canada
Also within 20 km of Tofino
- Tofino Surf spot · 0.2 km from Tofino
- Thorn Reef Dive site · 3.5 km from Tofino
- Chestermans beach - north Surf spot · 3.9 km from Tofino
- Rosie's Bay Surf spot · 3.9 km from Tofino
- Chesterman Beach Surf spot · 4.2 km from Tofino
- Cox Bay Surf spot · 5.7 km from Tofino
About Surprise Reef
A reef dive. It goes down to 18 m. You get in from a boat. It suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it. The coast faces SW: swell from the SW reaches it, and wind from the NE blows out to sea. No dive centre within 50 km on the map: book a liveaboard or a boat from further off. The sea is about 9°C in January, its coldest month (drysuit), and 14°C in July, its warmest (7 mm semi-dry or a drysuit). For Advanced divers the best months are usually July and August, with about 6 good days in 7; in January and December, about 1. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Tofino. Within 5 km we also list 5 surf spots and 1 dive site.
- What it is Reef.
- How deep Down to 18 m.
- Getting in From a boat.
- Who it suits Suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it.
- Dive centres No dive centre within 50 km on the map: book a liveaboard or a boat from further off.
Facts: verified.
Dive centres nearby
No dive centre mapped within 50 km.
Dive centres: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Credits
Water about 11°C: 7 mm semi-dry or a drysuit. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.
Visibility under 5 m. Typical for the time of year, estimated from ten years of NASA satellite water clarity, not a forecast. Clearest in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov (under 5 m).
This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.
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From Chicago: about 11 h 35 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.
Fly. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), direct.
See flights ORD → YVR · Skyscanner from about £220 returnAdGetting there. 3 h 45 from the airport to Surprise Reef.
Accommodation.
Stay in TofinoAd
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.
Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).
See all places to stay in Tofino (ad) on Booking.com →Closest towns to stay in
Tofino 9 min by car · rooms from £60 a night · 44 places to stay
Places to stay in Tofino · Booking.com Ad
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Distances are straight lines unless a drive is given: a site out at sea is reached by boat.
Hire and lessons.
Dives and courses in Tofino · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Tofino · GetYourGuideAd
Budget 
Mid-range 
Luxury Where it is
Surprise Reef on Google Maps · Directions
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Forecast
Best on Sun 25: Sea 1 m. Wind 6 kn gusting 12.
The score for Advanced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor
| Day | Score | Sea | Wind | Gusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18Oct | 32, poor | 2.2 m | 2 kn | 6kn |
| Mon 19Oct | 53, good | 1.6 m | 4 kn | 5kn |
| Tue 20Oct | 61, good | 1.4 m | 7 kn | 10kn |
| Wed 21Oct | 71, good | 1.2 m | 5 kn | 7kn |
| Thu 22Oct | 20, poor | 2.2 m | 16 kn | 20knboats in |
| Fri 23Oct | 54, good | 1.5 m | 11 kn | 19kn |
| Sat 24Oct | 70, good | 1.2 m | 12 kn | 16kn |
| Sun 25Oct | 80, good | 1.0 m | 6 kn | 12kn |
| Mon 26Oct | 80, good | 0.8 m | 2 kn | 10kn |
| Tue 27Oct | 66, good | 1.1 m | 13 kn | 16kn |
Day scores are the conditions out of 80, from the two best daylight readings: a morning and an afternoon dive. Sea is the open water's waves near the site, in metres. Wind and gusts are in knots (10 kn is about 19 km/h); "boats in" marks gusts that keep dive boats in. This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives.
The season
Good diving days in a typical week, each month, for Advanced divers, from 2016 on (ERA5 history scored the same way).
- Jan1of 7
- Feb2of 7
- Mar3of 7
- Apr3of 7
- May5of 7
- Jun5of 7
- Jul6of 7
- Aug6of 7
- Sep5of 7
- Oct3of 7
- Nov2of 7
- Dec1of 7
Typical, not a forecast: the sea and the mean wind of each day, with no gusts or rain in the history.
Rough cost
About £645–£1,200 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing. A guide from typical prices, not a quote. Dives are not priced yet: we have no sourced price for a guided dive, so they are not in it.
- Flights £220–£450
- To the UK airport £35–£65
- Hire car £70–£115
- Stay £165–£280
- Food £155–£290
Places to eat near Tofino
- Big Daddy's Fish FryFish and chips · 0.1 km from the centre
- BravocadosVegetarian · 0.1 km from the centre
- ShedBurger · 0.1 km from the centre
- Spice Hut Indian CuisineIndian · 0.1 km from the centre
- The Schooner RestaurantSteakhouse · 0.1 km from the centre
- Earth Mama Kitchen CollectiveVegan · 0.2 km from the centre
Within 2 km of the town centre, listed by how complete the listing is (website, opening hours, cuisine) and whether two sources name it. Not a judgement of the food: we have no reviews. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps Foundation. Credits
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