Tofino in three beaches

There was lots to love about Tofino – the food and the whale sightings being prime examples – but what sticks with me most almost a year later is the time wandering along three beaches over my stay. After seven years living in the middle of the country, any time I can be near salt water feels a little more special than when I took it for granted when I lived in Halifax. So while I will always carry with me great memories from Tofino, the story of Tofino, and what will draw be back again is really the story of visiting these three beaches

Tonquin Beach

I hiked here early in the morning from our glamping pod right on the harbour. I picked this beach for its ease of access and location and it ended up being more special to me than I would have ever expected. The beach even came with this arrival preview during a short walk through the woods which pulled me to the water immediately.

I spent a couple of hours here and through all that time there were only two other visitors for a very brief time. Having this stretch of coast to myself was uplifting and I loved how my mind wandered as only a relaxed vacation mind can. Like every beach I find myself on, I made a point of writing my dogs’ names in the sand – missing Chloe back home in Saskatoon, and reminiscing about all the good times I had with Chewy all those years ago.

While this visit was mostly about sitting still (something I normally find very challenging with my restless disposition) and staring out over the water, I did a bit of exploring along the rocks and loved the beauty of this starfish and its colour.

Long Beach

On the drive back from a hike along the coast in Ucluelet, we pulled off at Long Beach, drawn by the glimpses you get from the highway of waves crashing ashore. The beach here is immense (so, it’s well named at least) and offered a taste of the power of the Pacific Ocean.

Waves pounding ashore and wind whipping across this open and unprotected stretch… This beach felt how I hoped Tofino would feel. Untamed. Raw. Wild.

Chesterman Beach

A night after having dinner at the Wickaninnish Inn and looking out over Chesterman Beach as we formally celebrated our 9th anniversary, we retuned to walk the beach at sunset and were given a perfectly clear evening for the experience.

We ended up hiking the beach end to end – from the Inn all the way out to the houses and cottages at the point near Frank Island.

With so much beach, I made my tribute to Chloe and Chewy in much larger font. I always chuckle to myself wondering if people walking by this think that someone named their son Chewy. Writing this on every beach I visit has become one of my favourite travel traditions.

Near the southern end of Chesterman, I posed for this picture taken by my wife. Walking hand in hand with her this night is one of the small moments that I hold very close from this trip.

As the sun started to dip lower in the sky, we found a comfy place among the driftwood at the back of the beach. I remember this as a time in 2022 that I felt complete happiness and contentment – a beautiful place, with my favourite person in the world.