As the seas come alive during the colder months, our favourite time to observe the power of the elements begins. Book your hotel in tofino and pay later with expedia. A complete guide to tofino storm watching, british columbia. Waterfront bed and breakfast with ocean views from the hot tub, cedar sauna and rooms. Storm watching on vancouver island vancouver island news. Storm surf shop was created in 1997 for surfers by surfers. Your guide to winter stormwatching in tofino, bc explore. Yes, tofino used to hibernate at this time of year. Winter storm watching gale force winds, giant waves and lively skiesthe great energy of the winter storms shapes our coastline, making it an exhilarating season to experience the west coast. Winter in our temperate coastal rainforest means dramatic skies, rain, wind, big surf plus bursts of sunshine. The number of pacific storms that hit tofino varies from yeartoyear.
The dramatic storms on vancouver islands west coast, popular for its surf, draw visitors to its. For those intheknow, such frightful weather is a reason to rejoice. One of the best hotels there to enjoy the spectacle is the charming and. For a trip youll always remember, put on your rain gear and take on a tempest on the rocky shores of the pacific, then take shelter in. Three top spots for ocean stormwatching getaways the. In winter time, you can take walks along the beach, tour the village shops and restaurants, or warm up by the fire with a book.
Tofino was founded in the 18th century by spanish explorers and named after vincente tofino, a hydrographer teacher. Tofino hotel long beach lodge resort, tofinos luxury. Over the years, our shop has evolved into canadas destination for quality surf gear, unique surfboards and our own storm apparel whether youre buying a wetsuit or eyeing up a surfboard, we strive to provide our customers with exceptional service our goal is to get you in the water safe, warm and informed. If youre looking for a familyfriendly guest house in tofino, look no further than storm bay guest house. This time, youre hitting the sand in inclement weather on purpose. Get an upperfloor room and loll in bed with a peaceful view of dunes and ocean. Some places indicate they are on the open ocean but the view appears to be blocked by trees. Our campsite was rained out by a fall monsoon, and we took shelter in a local bed and breakfast, enjoying the wild weather and the local dining scene before all the restaurants closed up shop for the season. Winter storm watching at wickaninnish inn, tofino, british columbia tofino bc, winter. Whether you slip on a pacific sands rain slicker and venture out into the mist, or enjoy the show fireside in your suite, storm watching is a muchloved spectator sport in tofino. Storm watching at long beach lodge resort offers the best experience. Storm watching, on the part of the observer, is predominantly a passive activity.
For a breathtaking combination of adventure and winter comforts, escape to the mild and wild west coast to experience storm watching. Gtc tofino photo galleries photos of tofino downtown, surfing, wildlife, storm watching, clayoquot sound welcome to tofino, bc, canada. Storm watching on canadas wild west coast fodors travel. Search our directory of hotels in tofino, bc, canada and find the lowest rates. You can taste the salt whipping off the top of roostertailed waves.
Storm watching in tofino, bc, is a spectacular show on a windswept stage. Winter storm watching tofino hotel on chesterman beach. It doesnt involve chasing water spouts or flying over the waves in a zodiac boat. Winter is also a quieter time to visit tofino, which means shorter lines, lower accommodation prices and more space on the beach. Then, maybe ten or so years ago, tofino realized it didnt have to be just a oneseason tourist town any longer.
Check out places to visit including chesterman beach, pacific rim national park reserve, and eagle aerie gallery. When i arrived in british columbia over 20 years ago, we visited tofino in october. Book by january 5 for travel before march 31, 2020. Top 10 hotels in tofino, british columbia cancel free on. Best tofino photos tofino photo galleries tofino village. In the past, tofino used to shut down after thanksgiving. Then, maybe ten or so years ago, tofino realized it didnt have to be just a. I am looking for the best place to stay in tofino or ucluelet to storm watch. It offers free wifi, cable tv, and a guest lounge with a view of the harbor.
Mcdiarmid family enjoyed storm watching so much that they built the wickaninnish inn in. Best place to storm watch in tofino tofino hotel long. Long beach lodge resort, tofinos luxury boutique hotel. Best place to storm watch tofino forum tripadvisor. Email us use our direct referral system to find the right accommodations available for your needs. Whether youre buying a wetsuit or eyeing up a surfboard, we strive to provide our customers with exceptional service. How stormwatchers inspired a groundbreaking coastal safety. Storm watching 2019 3rd night free bc ferries vacations. Welcome to long beach lodge, your adventure resort with worldclass cuisine and oceanfront accommodations on cox bay beach.
Talk to a tofino local or seasoned visiting storm watcher, and. Storm watching on canadas wild west coast fodors travel guide. This hotel is one of the nicest ive stayed in gorgeous funky decor, big rooms, very clean. By october the weather as started to change usually bringing more frequent days of wind and rain. Tofino and ucluelet, bc are hit with spectacular ocean storms. Both bc locals and visitors from other countries are turning. Tofino winter storms originate in the aleutian low, which hangs off. The mcdiarmids have been credited with turning their hobby into a tourism drawthe family enjoyed storm watching so much that they built the wickaninnish inn in tofino in 1996. Some might say getting caught in a winter storm is unlucky. Stores, hotels and restaurants closed and the village returned to the locals during those quiet winter months. Find hotels and other accommodations near tofino botanical gardens, radar hill, and tonquin park and book today. Storm watching on vancouver island donald lovegrove 20191227t17. A rugged beach town on the west coast of vancouver island may seem like a strange place to visit in midwinter, but locals have been sitting on a secret for awhile when the. Tofino stormwatching guide to the best spots for storm watching in tofino and long beach on west coast of canada.
Spend it enjoying beaches, sunsets, and surfing in tofino. It is no longer just seen as a place to go enjoy the warm sunny days of summer but as an exciting and vibrant place to witness and enjoy the ocean through all the seasons. Waves crash on a tofino beach during a winter storm. Storm watching in tofino accommodation in tofino, bc on. Whether you slip on a pacific sands rain slicker and venture out into the mist, or enjoy the show fireside in your suite, storm watching is a. Over the last decade the concept of heading to tofino for a vacation by the sea has evolved in many ways. Directions to hotel once you have driven across vancouver island to the tofinoucluelet junction, you are 28 km 17 miles away from the inn. In tofino, storm watching means different things to different people but locals and. You are walking on the beach, into a wind so powerful it is pushing you backwards. The thrill of witnessing storms so ferocious theyre often dubbed marine bombs is rightnow drawing adventurous folks to the beaches around tofino, on vancouver islands west coast.
One of the original family beach resorts is the pacific sands beach. By november the winter storm season in tofino and ucluelet and it usually lasts until february or march. Winter storm watching is growing ever more increasingly popular and ucluelet is set up marvelously to facilitate the needs of those coming to observe them. More and more people are turning up every year from november to march from all over to come and see some of the ferocious storms that the west coast of north. The wickaninnish inn is located on vancouver island, off of canadas west coast. In the winter, tofinos rugged coastline puts on a wild. Tofino stormbay guest house is a suite featuring free wifi and a terrace set in tofino, 0. Storm watching hotel in tofino bc pacific sands beach resort. Ucluelet offers the pacific rim national park reserve which has become a favorite location for many who want to really see and experience these powerful storms firsthand. Clear sky, sparkling stars, the moon disappeared from view and the dish ran away with the spoon.
Choose from 41 lodge rooms and 20 cottages located steps from the sand, just 7km south of downtown tofino. Walking along chesterman, long, cox bay or middle beaches is an activity in itself that merits mention as a mustdo. It is no longer just seen as a place to go enjoy the warm sunny days of summer. Storm watching has become a tourism phenomenon on the west coast of vancouver island, though locals have been bracing against and surviving winter storms here for millennia. Soft golden beaches run in arcs across the mainland and lush islands dot the rich blue waters of the area. Packages to tofino or ucluelet include 3nights hotel, return ferry and free parking. A consistently topranked tofino hotel on tripadvisor, this family and dogfriendly resort offers beachfront and ocean view accommodations ranging from 520 to 1400 square feet and is the only resort in tofino with fullyequipped kitchens. Beginning in november is the much anticipated winter storm season for ucluelet and tofino which usually lasts until february or march. Pacific storm watching package tofino bc offers pacific. A microwave, a toaster and a fridge can be found in the kitchenette. Download the 2014 parksville qualicum beach discovery guide for. There were not a lot of waterfront spots, hotels, or resorts in tofino in those days.
Shop for 24 deals across 5 hotels, starting at usd 50 per night. Tofino hotels hidden among almost limitless, lush pines and rolling countryside along the western coast of vancouver island, tofino and ucluelet are a true paradise for nature and outdoor lovers of all stripes. We always joke that charles mcdiarmid invented storm season, hackett says. Long beach lodge resort, tofinos luxury boutique hotel welcome to long beach lodge, your adventure resort with worldclass cuisine and oceanfront accommodations on cox bay beach. The sound of the crashing surf, even at low tide, has become so deafening that you have to shout just to be heard. Lean into the wind at chesterman beach, watch the waves at cox bay outside or from the warmth of an inside venue, and more. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting tofino, storm bay guest house is located a short distance from tofino floatem garden 1. Bundle up in warm, waterproof gear and boots, and take in the pounding surf, eagles flying overhead, and mist rising from the ocean on your stroll. The maq hotel is located in a lively part of the town of tofino.
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