Tofino And The West Coast Of Vancouver Island, Canada: Truly Off The Beaten Path!

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
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The signpost at Tofino harbor really makes it clear just how far one has come. This is the western terminus of the Trans-Canada highway. Standing beside this sign, enjoy the harbor as float planes come and go. The sea air sharpens the appetite and that''s a good thing. Tofino has gained a reputation for attracting noted chefs from across Canada. Perhaps the restaurant overlooking the harbor beckons visitors to enjoy the view while savoring some of the local specialties, especially freshly caught salmon. Enjoy the meal and the view while planning a whale watching or fishing tour. Both tours are available here.

A beach cabin at Pacific Sands Beach Resort, a few miles south of Tofino, allows visitors to conveniently explore the area. But one doesn''t need to leave the resort. Just outside the door is a long, white, sandy beach. Follow the trail through the rain forest to Lookout Point. Enjoy the ocean view and sunset from here! Walk along the shoreline and explore the tide pools with their colorful sea anemones and sea stars. Walking the full stretch of this private beach could easily be a full morning''s activity especially ...
... if one pauses to watch the surfers.

A few miles south of the resort, visitors can hike the trail to the lighthouse at Ucluelet or kayak in the bay. Visit the Long Beach Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park between Ucluelet and Tofino and walk the ten-mile trail along the sandy beach.

Two other segments of the Pacific Rim National Park offer the promise of further adventures. The Broken Island Group is accessible only by boat. Living up to its name, this segment of the park is made up of more than 100 islands scattered through Barkley Bay. The West Coast Trail segment of the Park offers 47 miles of hiking past waterfalls, rain forest, caves and sea stacks.

The posted warning about bears is not to be taken lightly! Bears and cubs are often seen along roadsides and the beach. This is truly a wilderness area although the amenities for visitors are quite civilized.

The drive across Vancouver Island is delightful if a bit slow as the road is mostly two-lane and quite curvy. A worthwhile stop halfway across the island is the town of Port Alberni. Here visitors may spend a few hours or a few days. One spectacular adventure if time allows would be a day charter aboard the MV Francis Barkley. The full day trip through Barkley Sound - a salt-water fjord that opens into the Pacific - takes about 8 hours.

Tofino and the west coast of Vancouver Island are truly off the beaten path. The out-of-the-way delights run from mild to wild. Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide flight to Canada and other desinations.