Total relaxation in Tofino

A July 2004 trip to Tofino by lfwhite

How a city girl learned to love the wilderness and how to rough it without roughing it.

  • 3 reviews
This is the place to get away from it all, knowing that civilization is never too far away. Nature is the star in Tofino - beaches, forest trails, and wildlife are spectacular. Enjoy the best salmon and halibut you've ever tasted. Hike the well-maintained cedar-planked trails through ancient forests and marvel at the giant trees. Kayak in the Pacific. Look out for banana slugs and make the trip to Hot Springs!

Quick Tips:

There is a locally published guide to Tofino available on the web that I HIGHLY recommend - it covers EVERYTHING with the savvy of a long-time resident. (Is it still anonymous? Well, the identity of the author is the worst-kept secret in Tofino.)

Best Way To Get Around:

Rent a car in Nanaimo or Victoria - the drive to Tofino is beautiful, and there's really no other way to get around when you are there.

Red Crow B&B￿Best of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Red Crow B&B"

I'm a fan of B&B's, and this one is one of my top-10 favorites of all time. It's elegant, but not stuffy and pampering, but still cozy, and it has all kinds of extra amenities that will make your trip to Tofino really fun, from use of the kayaks to a beautiful barbeque pit stocked with cedar wood so you can grill up some fresh salmon (or just have a cozy fire in the pavilion)

From the minute you arrive, you realize that this is not the typical "I've converted my back bedroom into a B&B" lodgings in Tofino. There were tiny lights in an arbor leading down the path to the house, where our keys were waiting for us.

Our room was right over the water - the night before, we slept to the sound of waves lapping the shore, but woke up to discover that the water had all but disappeared (low tide) and there was a family of otters playing in the marsh.

The breakfasts are wonderful and delivered right to the room. You have your own entrance and complete seclusion. It was wonderfully romantic. The "town" is less than 5 minutes away, and you are right next to a wonderful botanical garden that guests of the hotel can visit for free.

I wish we could have stayed longer and look forward to going back!

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by lfwhite on July 29, 2005

Red Crow B&B￿
1084 Pacific Rim Highway Tofino, British Columbia V0R 2Z0
(250) 725-2275

Hot Springs CoveBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "An Overnight in Hot Springs Cove"

This is a popular day trip from anywhere on the west of the island, but for a really romantic experience, try booking an overnight stay at one of the three options at the area (I HIGHLY recommned the Innchanter, but there is also a hotel across the cove and a campsite right at the base of the trail) so that you can have the springs to yourself at high tide at night. It's an exhilarating and romantic experience!

We took one of the day boats up--a combined hot springs/whale-watching trip out of Tofino. No whales sighted (it was off season), but we did see several eagles and sea lions, along with the beautiful scenery of the coastline. On arrival, we stowed our gear at the Innchanter and took the hike through a beautiful and ancient rainforest on a path with planks carved perhaps by previous visitors. Some of them are interesting, and the hike itself is lovely.

There are bio-potties and changing areas at the top of the trail, along with a place to shower off. It wasn't terribly crowded, but groups did come and go as boats arrived and left. Some of the terrain can be a little rough. After hopping around on the rocks for awhile and enjoying the water, we hiked back down for dinner and a gorgeous sunset over the cove.

Around midnight, at high tide, we tendered back over to the pier and took the trail back up to the cove. Yes, you do have to be careful not to startle any bears that may be around, and wear good shoes because the planks can get slippery at night - but we didn't have any problems. When we got there, there was no one else around and we found a pool where the cold water from the ocean washed into the warm water from the springs, making an exhilarating hot-then-cold sensation for some "au naturel" bathing. The moon was the only light, and the stars were incredible.

Eventually we made our way back to the Innchanter, were we sat out on deck chairs and watched a meteor shower. We slept like babies, and the next morning (after a yummy breakfast), we caught a boat back to Tofino.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by lfwhite on July 29, 2005

Hot Springs Cove
Maquinna Provincial Marine Park Tofino, British Columbia
(888) 781-9977

About the Writer

lfwhite
lfwhite
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
  • "like off-beat desitinations or adventure travel in more popular spots"
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