Planning our first trip to Tofino -- and we're thinking about spending 4 or 5 nights at Middle Beach (Headlands). We love nature and will probably take a few tours. Is 5 nights too much? We'd also like to combine it with a 3 or 4 nights someplace else in BC (not Victoria) but the most appealing places are out of our price range (which is $300/night or less). Any suggestions?

For something '<i><b>completely different</b></i>' try Cortes Island
http://cortesisland.com/cgi-bin/tideline/show_home.cgi

Hi cm318, We stayed at Middle Beach Lodge, the Headlands, in August for 3 nights and loved it. There was plenty to do in three full days. That said, if you're coming now, in fall, the weather may not be so accomodating.

It might be fun to take the ferry to Salt Spring Island and spend some time there. There is an interesting driving tour that takes you around the island to artists studios (often in their homes), wineries, bakeries. Also, there are scenic viewpoints. I think one could easily spend two days exploring there.

If you were willing to drive aways, Sunset Magazine did an article on the northern end of the island. We have not been there, but here's the url for their article:

http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/...609235,00.html

Here's a better link to the full article. Looks fascinating!

http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/...609377,00.html

Thank you Orcas for the interesting article -- I will definitely keep that for future reference. The northern area sounds very appealing -- it is just a matter of finding someplace to stay.

BTW - I'm planning for next summer (late August).

A couple of years ago we went to Salt Spring Island and rented a great little cottage - loved it. Next summer we want to check out Tofino and other places in the area.

Do you have any recommendations for room type at Middle Beach/Headlands?

We actually stayed in two different rooms as we booked late. We stayed in a lower ocean facing room with a balcony and an upper ocean facing room without, just above.

The views from both rooms were killer. While the forest view if nice, the ocean view is too nice to miss, if a room is available. The balcony had two chairs on it. It was nice to be able to sit outside of our own room and look, plus it was nice to have a place outdoors to hang things out to dry. Given a choice, I'd go for the lower room with the balcony and ocean view.

If you get an upper room without a balcony or a room with a forest view, the lodge has other decks that you can sit on that have incredible views, so you can still enjoy sitting in a chair and looking at the view or reading.

The rooms in the other wing (above the breakfast area) may be larger. I think they are higher priced. We didn't spend much time in our room so it wasn't important to us. The rooms in the wing we were in were quite small, without closets or dressers. There are lots of pegs on the wall to hang things on and this worked out fine. Also, there is a sink and mirror outside of the bathroom, which is convenient. The rooms have a lodge type atmosphere and the beds were quite comfortable.

Don't miss the dinner which they serve in the other lodge building. It is excellent and well priced. Lots of great chefs in Tofino!

If you haven't already, be sure to search for Tofino on this forum. Lots of us have done trip reports.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Either 4 or 5 nights in Tofino would be great. There are lots of places to explore, rain forest hikes, museum, golf course, Pacific Rim Centre, Long Beach. Try to reserve lunch at the Wickinninish Inn - guests only for dinner. Also reserve at the Rain Coast Cafe. I like to enjoy a chai tea in the back part of the Tofino Kayak Company, where you can watch the kayakers coming in or going out. Or if you don't feel like doing much, you could just breathe in the spirit of the West Coast.

Regarding your 4 nights out of Tofino do you enjoy any specific sports other than hiking? There are some great golf courses on the Island, some overnight sea kayaking tours, fishing lodges.

Next time I go, I want to explore Courtney - have heard it is an interesting city with reasonable accomodation.

You can never spend too much time in Tofino. Went there for a few days this past August on a circle trip from Seattle/Olympic Nat'l Park/Victoria/Salt Spring Island/ Tofino/Vancouver..it was AWESOME! We actually added Tofino as a substitute for Whistler at the urging of members on this board. It was the most fab place we have been in a long time: absolutely magical atmosphere, clean pristine beaches, and at the height of tourist season, NO CROWDS! We stayed at Pacific Sands Resort, which is spartan but comfortable but has a perfect beach right outside your door. Middle Beach Lodge is a much better looking place with more amenities, but there is quite a stair hike to the beach. If you are going to Salt Spring, check out Sky Valley Inn. Great atmosphere and views, congenial innkeepers and breakfasts from the pages of Gourmet magazine. After all that fresh air, we were sorry we went to Vancouver (city)- expensive, noisy, panhandlers, rushing traffic..Ugh!

I agree with Donnawho--you can never spend too much time in Tofino ;-). I've been there a whole bunch of times and spent 5 nights there last Christmas and it still didn't feel like long enough.

Middle Beach is my favorite place to stay. If they are in your budget, I prefer the cabins at Middle Beach to the rooms, especially for a longer stay, and especially if you can get one with a private hot tub on your deck. It's nice to be able to spread out a bit.

Another vote for one of the cabins facing south - lovely view and no stairs to reach the beach.

We've stayed in the lodge, in a small
cabin facing west and in one of the
larger ones facing south. All were
great. It's a really really terrific
place to while away the time......

I just rechecked the website. We stayed at the Lodge at the Beach, not the Lodge at the Headlands. I was wondering why people were talkign about the stairs to the beach, as the beach was easily accessible from where we stayed. Sorry if I created confusion!

Thanks for all the input -- we'll spend 5 nights in Tofino @ Middle Beach. Haven't settled on someplace else for 2 or 3 nights either before or after Tofino - so I'm still researching options. Any specific recommendations for add-on will be appreciated. Knights Inlet would be perfect but out of our price range.