Vancouver Island's West Coast

My favourite area is Pacific Rim National Park and the surrounding towns of Ucluelet & Tofino. Ucluelet is a fishing town and Tofino has lots of arts & crafts. The MV Lady Rose is a working cargo vessel that offers a day trip around the Broken Islands chain. As well as those just along for a day on the water, it picks up and drops off kayakers and delivers mail and supplies to remote places along the route. There is a small snack bar on board but you might want to pack a picnic lunch.

Quick Tips:

The Lady Rose leaves from Pt. Alberni - about 1/2 way between Nanaimo & Pacific Rim. You'd need a car to get there.

Best Way To Get Around:

Hiking is popular along the west coast trail. To see the Park and explore Tofino & Ucluelet in a weekend, you need a vehicle.

This Inn is part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group. The west coast design of wood and glass sits on a rocky promontory at Long Beach overlooking the ocean. There are only 46 guest rooms but all have a private balcony and ocean views from the floor to ceiling picture windows. Beds are covered with down duvets and the furniture is made from recycled fir, western red cedar and driftwood. There is no smoking in any of the rooms or the public areas of the Inn. Although there is a fitness centre, I've not checked it out because I prefer a brisk walk along the water's edge. The restaurant has excellent West Coast cuisine that features fresh seafood as well as farm fresh produce and meat. Reservations are a must.

UPDATE Jan. 2001 - The Inn has recently opened the "Ancient Cedars Spa". I haven't had a chance to check it out in person but it supposedly uses many marine based products and offers a hot stone massage with smooth stones that are coated with essential oils. Sounds very relaxing!! More information can be found at their web site - www.wickinn.com Other than the lounge & restaurant at the resort, you need a car to get to Tofino or Ucluelet where there are restaurants catering to varying tastes & budgets.

It is only open during fishing season (Apr- Sept.) when you can catch salmon & halibut. There are 2 parts to the complex - the main building and a ship that has been docked and converted to cabins. The ship is cheaper but the rooms are smaller & I prefer the main building with spacious modern rooms and big windows that let in lots of light. Our main floor room 2 queen size beds and French doors that offered great views of the water. Fishing charters are available through the resort. There is a restaurant and bar on the boat plus a gift shop near the main building. There are also a number of restaurants and shops within a block or two and Ucluelet is small enough to see most of it on foot from the Resort. The group that owns this resort owns others on the island and all provide fishing excursions.

Close to 200 square acres make up the park and there are sandy beaches, rain forests and lots of good hiking trails. It's not overly developed and there is still lots of wildlife. Do take precautions during bear season. On our last visit we happened upon a black bear taking a nap on the warm pavement. He was pretty small but his claws were darn big & we were glad we were inside the car. Long Beach is a beautiful beach that is part of the park. It's a great place for beach walks and kids of all ages love to look in the small tidal pools for sea life.

Tofino is a small place with lots of laid back charm and native heritage and surrounded by old growth forests. There are many shops and galleries offering jewellery, carvings, paintings, etc. My favourite is 'Eagle Aerie Gallery' which features the work of native artist Roy Henry Vickers. If you get a chance, stop and watch the video 'The Elders are Watching' - very moving!

Tofino has lots of cafes, restaurants, motels and B&Bs as well as the fabulous Wickaninnish Inn (see separate entry). In the spring, it's a popular place for whale watching trips and fishing charters.