Tofino, Long Beach Vancouver Island

Here are some pictures of my recent adventure in Tofino. The day was rather stormy, but surprisingly warm! The wave warning was at extreme, it was beautiful!

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Tofino; Vancouver Island

A weekend away on the west coast is an exciting and relaxing experience. The abundance of outdoor activities will thrill and entertain all ages. Some activities to do include:

• Surfing, there are plenty of places that offer lessons and rentals!
• Beach combing, explore the various beaches that stretch from Tofino to Ucluelet.
• Hike the multiple trail systems within the rain forests of the west coast.
• Dine out and eat some fresh seafood.

We rented a room at the Terrace Beach Resort which is located in Ucluelet (Ucluelet tends to be a bit cheaper to stay and is only about 15-20mins drive away from Tofino). Off season is until June, so our stay was relatively cheap. Amusingly enough, this place is owned and ran by Jason Priestly and family (Yes, 90210 Jason!)









Inside the room @ Terrace Beach Resort







Outside view from the inlet


We walked the Wild Pacific Trail, which had an entrance directly beside our accomodations.









View from the trail







View from the trail


I was very impressed with the accomodation, the inside was spectacularly clean and cozy. It was relaxing and quiet the whole weekend. I would definitely recommend and go back! Very decently priced and the staff were pleasant and helpful.

More to come on restaurant's and beaches we checked out on the West Coast in an upcoming blog!

stay happy and healthy!

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10 Things To Do On Vancouver Island

I have compiled this random list of what I think are the best things to do on Vancouver Island (mainly in the summer months).

10. Go Fishing: There are so many fishing hot spots off of Vancouver Island it's amazing, so many choices of location (Port Alberni, Campbell River, Sooke, Port Hardy, etc) and so many choices of fish! (salmon, trout, cod, etc).

9. Nanaimo's International World Championship Bathtub Race: This occurs near the end of July and is one of the biggest events of the year for Nanaimo.

8. Vancouver Island MusicFest: This happens July 10-12 in the Comox Valley, the organizers try to keep it as green as possible, local food, recyclable products, etc! 3 days of great music!

7. Saratoga Speedway: Located halfway between Campbell River and Courtenay, drag racing, monster trucks and modified stock cars will keep everyone entertained!

6. West Coast Trail: This 75km hike that stretches in between Gordon River and Pachena Bay is a popular one, reservations required! Experience the natural world of Vancouver Island.

5. Strathcona Park: This is BC's oldest provincial park and the location of Vancouver Island's highest mountain. Plenty of hiking, mountain biking and camping can be done.

4. Camping: Lake Cowichan, Port Alberni, Goldstream, and Tofino are some popular camping areas, but any community on the island is campable! (is that even a word?)

3. The Beach: There are many beaches but the most popular ones would probably be Parksville, Rathtrevor, Long Beach and Pachena Bay.

2. The River: River swimming is very popular on Vancouver Island. Sooke Pot holes, Nanaimo River, Nimpkish, and Englishman River are some good areas to check out.

1. Long Beach, Tofino: With a population of about 1900 (this triples in the summer), Tofino is the place for surfing, classy resorts/spas, amazing beaches, fishing and the true West Coast.

Did I miss anything?

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Canadian Movie "One Week"

Recently I checked out the movie "One Week" by director Michael McGown, featuring Joshua Jackson.

The synopsis is a young man (mid-twenties) is stricken with a terminal illness. He decides quite impulsively to travel across Canada (he is in Ontario) to the west coast. He leaves his job, fiancee and family on a beautiful journey which depicts many iconic and memorable Canadian cities and monuments.

He ends up in Tofino B.C. I thought it was a heart-warming, eye-opening movie that made me do a little self reflecting. It was worth the watch!

View Website and Trailer

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Vancouver Island Salmon Fishing

Vancouver Island's prime fishing time of the year is anytime between May-September. It varies depending on the type of salmon too.

Type of salmon caught near Vancouver Island!

Chinook (aka "Spring" salmon)

• Time to fish: All year
• Size: 20-70+pounds
• Limits: 2 per day, 4 in total

Coho

• Time to fish: Late June through October
• Size: 7-20+pounds
• Limit: 2 per day, 4 total

Chum

• Time to fish: Late June through October
• Size: 8 - 20 pounds
• Limits: 4 per day, 8 total

Pink Salmon

• Time to Fish: Early July through September
• Size: 4- 10+ pounds
• Limit: 4 per day, 8 total

Sockeye Salmon

• Time to fish: May through August
• Size: 4-10+ pounds
• Limit: 4 per day, 8 total.

Some popular areas for fishing are
Campbell River, Port Alberni, Tofino/Ucluelet.

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Vancouver Island Resorts

Canadian Princess Resort

The Canadian Princess Resort is located in Ucluelet - near Tofino. With accomodations you can choose from hotel style on shore rooms or stay in a cabin on-board a ship! Ucluelet boasts excellent salmon, halibut and bottom fish fishing. There are nature cruises avaliable. The Broken Group Islands Cruise tours operate each afternoon and are 3 hours of magnificent West Coast nature viewing. There are fly-in and drive-in packages starting at $475 for on shore accomodation and 3 days 2 nights - 2 fishing trips.The classy Wickaninnish restaurant is nearby for an amazing dining experience







Kingfisher Spa and Resort

The Kingfisher resort is located in Courtenay. Kingfisher has 64 beachfront or oceanview rooms to choose from. This resort is well-known for it's extensive spa, you can choose from various spa packages that also include dining. There is also a fitness room avaliable for all guests, as well as a pool, hot tub, cedar sauna and a west coast steam cave! Woo! There is also a pilates and yoga studio in site for all the yoga buffs. Prices vary depending on the room and package chosen. The 3 night Christmas package which includes 3 nights accomodation, Christmas day buffet dinner, 2 breakfasts, Boxing Day brunch, a spa credit of 105.00 and a gift runs about $600 per person.

Tigh-Na-Mara Resort

Located in ocean side Parksville, 20 minutes from Nanaimo. This is a seaside spa resort and conference centre. There is an extensive list of activites to choose from. There is a seperate Grotto spa located across the street from the actual resort. This spa was recently voted #1 spa in Western Canada. Treatments include body wraps, massages, facials, scrubs and of course manicures and pedicures. Along with a fitness room, indoor swimming pool and sauna, there is also an on-sute tennis court, basketball courts and children's playground. Tigh-Na-Mara is right next to Rathtrevor Beach which has various hiking and cycling trails. Nearby is the infamous Horne Lake Caves.

There are many different options to choose from as far as accomodations, you can rent an entire long cabin, a bungalow, or an ocean view suite. The most popular package is the Seaside Romance which includes 1 overnight accomodation, a gourmet dinner for two in the Cedar Room.
You will return to a room with sparkling wine, candles, a tub filled with Grotto Spa bath salts, a rose petal turn down of your bed and chocolate covered strawberries :)
Late check-out is a must have with this package.

Clayquot Wilderness Resort

This infamous resort is located near lovely Tofino. You can choose from a weekend, weekday or week long getaways. The Healing Grounds is a high class spa avaliable rates start at $4750 for a 3 night experience. Fishing and camping is also avaliable.

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Tofino

Tofino is really truly one of the most memorable places on Vancouver Island. Tofino is an amazing fishing village at the tip of Esowista Peninsula near the entrance to Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island/close to Ucluelet. Tofino is a rapidly growing tourist centre for Long Beach and other Pacific Rim destinations. Once a timber and fishing town, Tofino has become a population destination for the world.

Tofino's docks bustle with local fishermen and act as launching points for numerous sea kayaking, whale watching, wildlife, hot springs and cultural tours. Local boats also supply the 1,500 residents of five Nuu-chah-nulth communities and others who make their homes on the nearby islands and secluded shores of Clayoquot Sound.

The economy of the relaxed, vacation destination of Tofino is largely dependent upon tourism and aquaculture.

Surfing is one of the main attractions, here are some of the Surf schools and shops to check out!

Tofino Surfing Lessons and Surf Shops

Bruhwiler Surf Camp

311 Olsen Rd • Tofino, BC

(250) 726-5481 • bruhwilersurf@msn.com

Live to Surf

1180 Pacific Rim Highway • Tofino, BC

(250) 725-4464 • info@livetosurf.com

Pacific Surf School

440 Campbell St • Tofino, BC

Toll free 1-888-777-9961, Local (250)725-2155

info@pacificsurfschool.com

Raven Skate Shop

Fourth and Main St • Tofino, BC » View map

(250) 725-1280 • info@ravenskateshop.ca

Surf Sister

Campbell St • Tofino, Canada

Toll free 1-877-724-SURF (7873) • info@surfsister.com

For more info www.my-tofino.com

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