Northern lights in Tofino tonight

Long Beach is a 16 km stretch of Pacific coast within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, facing directly north across the open ocean. The beach has no artificial lighting along its length and minimal light pollution from surrounding settlements. The northern horizon over the open Pacific gives a clear 180-degree view. On a Kp 4-5 night, aurora appears as a low arc above the ocean horizon. The sound of Pacific surf provides a backdrop that makes this one of the more distinctive aurora viewing positions on the BC coast.

The closest dark sky position to Tofino town. Chesterman Beach has minimal development on its north end and faces west-northwest toward open ocean. The beach is accessible year-round at low tide. The northern sky above the Pacific horizon is dark and free of settlement light. At this distance from Tofino itself, sky quality drops only slightly from the remote beach sections further south on Long Beach. The most accessible aurora-watching position for those staying in Tofino village.

The Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve north of Tofino is a largely roadless temperate rainforest with near-zero light pollution. The exposed outer coast islands and channels give Bortle 1 sky conditions. Access requires a boat or sea kayak, making this a target for serious observers during predicted strong storms (Kp 5+). The remote wilderness lodges in Clayoquot Sound - reachable by water taxi from Tofino - provide a base with access to these skies.