Some shots from our trip to the west coast of Vancouver Island a few Februaries ago (see associated TR here),

Long Beach is part of Pacific Rim National Park and is beloved by surfers.

Cox Bay dog.

The area is a walkers/hiker's paradise.


Cox Bay is pummeled by Pacific breakers.


Birds resting during the golden hour.

Rainforest abounds.

Happy Shutterbug enjoys north shore behind Tofino Botanical Gardens.

The original house (and our rental) built on Chesterman beach in the '70s.

Chesterman Beach (Chestie) is a fantastic experience for surfers, dog walkers, lovers of driftwood and artists.

The many moods of Chestie in the winter.



Pacific Sands Resort, excellent place to *wine and dine (buy bottles to go).

Salmon.

Big Beach in Ucluelet (Ukee) is great for beachcombers of all ages.

Seaspray sandy art.


Tofinians are lucky to have such a special beach.

Happy to advise regarding rentals and restaurants.

Crow mirror.

'Here by the sea and sand, nothing ever goes as planned...'

Wot it says.

We'd trusted a weather site prediction that this particular February in 2017 was going to be particularly sunny, instead of the traditional RAIN RAIN RAIN. We were lucky that the site was correct.

Ukee (Ucluelet) has much to attract the traveler too.

Love the pictures, one of the things we look forward to in retirement is the opportunity to visit in the winter. We've been twice in the summer with the kids staying at Pacific Sands, great place with lovely beach (at least last visit 12 years ago).

Somehow my reply posted in Zebec's post/pictures. Love the pictures, one of the things we look forward to in retirement is the opportunity to visit in the winter. We've been twice in the summer with the kids staying at Pacific Sands, great place with lovely beach (at least last visit 12 years ago).

Great photos zebec, thanks. Also brought back memories for me. In 2012 I hiked the West Coast Trail with a friend, more of an obstacle course than a trail. Then my wife joined me and we spent a couple weeks on Vancouver Island, mostly out there by Tofino and Ucluelet. We went to Tofino Botanic Gardens a couple of times, cool little place as was the tiny Ucluelet Aquarium. Happy times, hope to return some day. Thanks.

zebec, hope you don't mind, I'll throw one photo in from my trip, I'll call it "The Old Man of the Forest".

Please Nelson and everyone, feel free for us to make this a Vancouver Island thread, with fotos, TRs and helpful advice for all. *Love this shot above! Nelson, how did you notice the 'Old Man of the Forest'? And where was this shot taken? Btw, I just got in from a camera shoot down at our Beach neighbourhood (Lk. Ontario), first time that I picked up the Nikon since our return from Aveyron, France 11 months ago.

Quasi-related: just learned last night that our old '70s high school Latin teacher's adult son just passed away on Vancouver island from covid. Seems that he was a rugby star.

Whose photos will be next? Nelson, you are required to post many more from your trip here.
Everyone, Keep 'em coming, please. Vancouver City OK too.

I am done. The Special Island.

Thanks much zebec, really appreciate it!

The Old Man lives along the trail a few miles south of Bamfield in the Pacific Rim NP. This was the first day of my seven-day West Coast Trail trip, My friend hikes a LOT faster than me, so I was alone in an incredibly beautiful God-ray early morning, similar to your photo #4 above.

I had stopped to take it all in, when I spotted the Old Man off to the right. He was looking at me and said, "Pretty impressive morning, wasn't it?". I nodded. Then, "Can you help me out here?". His nose stick had fallen over and was laying on the ground.

I walked over, propped it back up, stepped back, and took this one and only one photo. I didn't realize how much I liked it until after the trip. The original is badly underexposed, it took some work and I decided to go B&W.

I'll post a couple more shots here soon. Thanks again.

DaveS, I seem to have misnamed Pacific Sands. The restaurant that we visited and photographed above, was instead Long Beach Lodge. Their bartender Mike sold us a bought a bottle what was perhaps the best Canadian red we've ever tasted. That sort of over-the-bar-countertop sale is legal in BC, but certainly not where we live in Ontario, so there was a sense of novelty around the purchase. I contacted that local BC wine producer after we got back to Toronto about buying several more bottles, but I'd naively forgotten that cross-provincial wine sales are almost completely impossible. Sigh...

If memory serves, Pacific Sands resort and Long Beach lodge are very-close neighbours. Travelers should note that their location is on Cox Bay, just south of Tofino. That is also where one finds 'The Crack', that spot where the ocean tides come in between the cliff promontory and the regular coastal bank. That promontory is officially known as Pettinger Point and the awkward, but brief climb to its summit brings one to what locals call 'Sunset Point'. Talking is discouraged for visitors there. Pettinger Point btw, is where we took those emerald-coloured oceanic breaker wave shots and Sunset Point is shown above in the shot with the Who 'Quadraphenia' quote.

I am done. The orca.

zebec, once again your photos are beautiful. Here are a few shots from my West Coast Trail outing. The "trail" is largely a trial of roots, rocks, mud, ladders, and more ladders. It was a great trip!



Roots


Rocks


Mud


Ladders


More Ladders

Nelson, those ladders, that mud! Good God. You've documented the sweaty challenges well. Just looking at your photos here makes me wanna have a shower, then change my clothes!
Good on you folks for having braved the trail. Had no idea that it was that difficult.
I am done. The endless steps.

I would like to hear comparisons from any Fodorites about travel to BC province/Vancouver Isle and its immediate southern neighbours, Washington state plus Oregon. I've been to both of them but the visit was just a brief glance many, many years ago. My late childhood friend was a travel agent and his fave place on the planet was those 2 states.

How are they similar? How are they different?

And I want covid to end.

dun end

Benham Falls Oregon
I took a hike on a well maintained trail along the Deschutes River south of Bend to get this picture. Today is Senior Day at the High Desert Museum. DW and i will be going! Parts of Washington and Oregon are just as beautiful as what you saw in western British Columbia.

Hope that you and yours have a great visit to The Museum Tom! And thank you for this picture.

I am done. The end.

Ucluelet aka 'Ukee'. Below are some green glass fishing floats, the most-sought-after collector's item for beachcombers. The floats mostly come from Japan, but can also originate from other Asian nations such as Korea. Their shapes and rope size indicate their exact origins. For example, those from Hokkaido are long and tubular. Those for sale on the Interwank tend to be knock-offs made in China.

Great photos zebec. We have been to Vancouver and surrounds (and south into the US at Waterton Lakes/Glacier NP on a circular driving trip) and want to go back. Some day....

Nelson, remind me never to sign up for that trail. I thought the rocks looked tough. But the ladders!!! You are made of stronger stuff than me.

Love to see these places in images..... They are awesome and would love to visit Vancouver and explore these places.

Less intelligent is more likely. Here are a few more shots.



Accommodation Night 3


Accommodation Night 5


Like Ships Passing


New Friends

Beautiful pictures zebec, and a gorgeous part of the world. I wish I could spend more time there.
Not quite western Vancouver Island, but we were blown away by Butchart gardens near Victoria. Stunning.


Butchart Gardens, near Victoria.