Tags
Canada, Photography, Tofino, travel, Ucluelet, Vancouver Island
They call it the End of the Road, a final destination for west-bound nature lovers, ocean worshipers and adventure seekers.
The drive from Nanaimo to Tofino took us about 4 hours with multiple stops along the way to explore the rugged beauty, snap photos and simply reflect on this vast place in this part of the world. This glorious road trip was not going to be rushed.
Along the Way
We departed with a car packed to the gunnels with everything we could possibly need on our 4 day trip. Linda catered for every kind of weather, food for picnics, bbqs, and snacks to keep us sustained along the way.
Our first stop on the west coast was Tofino the surf town. Tofino is one of the island’s most popular spots with its dramatic and mystical beaches. It is a natural paradise in itself, with its ancient rainforests, rivers and a striking mountain.
Just outside of Tofino is one of Canada’s most incredible beaches – Long Beach. It is breathtaking, unspoiled & unlike anywhere else. Few places can you go where the rain-forest meets the sea and sit on a giant log and be silent except for the sounds of the waves. I live in a country that is known for it’s beaches but Tofino beach is so very dramatic and unique and nothing like any other beach that I have experienced anywhere else in the world.
We walked forever along Long Beach and although it was summer we had plenty of beach to ourselves. This beach stretches for miles and is on the open Pacific Ocean between Tofino and Ucluelet. This very impressive beach lends itself to exotic wildlife walks and bird watching.
We sat on the logs (driftwood washed up by the ocean) people-watching and with the marine fog it was quite a mystical setting. There were also several very friendly dogs which were not bothering anyone and just having fun.
We took a break and we ate our picnic lunch which included Nanaimo Bars, at one of the many table and chairs that are situated close to the sand.
This wild and remarkable beach is accessible through a number of entrances off the highway between Ucluelet and Tofino.
Yes it is the End of the Road, but when we arrived and stepped onto the beach, we realize it was just the beginning of a new journey into another ethereal world.
Long Beach is amazing with its beautiful clean sands and perfect surf.
Yes, it is certainly an amazing place. :)
Very special indeed. I feel extremely grateful that I was taken there by a local, my friend Linda. Thanks Lyn
What an amazing 4 days trip! Love your photos and story. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks Linda. It was unreal. I know that you would love it. Lyn
Oh, love this blog. How much fun to read about a journey to a part of “my” Island that I consider very special. Thank you for sharing our West Coast.
How much fun it was to experience it thanks to you Linda. Awesome place. Special memories
Your all photo say that, how good your trip that are?. It’s amazing 🙂
Thanks It sure was amazing. Lyn
Welcome 💛🙂
Nice fotos Lyn! It has been way too long since I visited the west coast of Vancouver Island! Must plan to get there soon. Ciao, Cristina
Thanks Cristina. I can highly recommend it. It was too much fun. Lyn 💕
Lyn, that looks an amazing trip. Great photos!
Thanks Sheree. It was super special as it is not your every day tourist destination. Super fabulous. Lyn
Thanks Sheree. It was super special as it is off the regular touristy path. Beautiful, captivating and entertaining.
It does look magical Lyn, each step is another world. And I think it might be time for a flying carpet to really appreciate it all from another view 😀
Nice way to describe it. Certainly perfect for me away from the fast pace of life. Thanks Lyn
Looks beautiful! I’ve been to Butchart Gardens but never to Nanaimo! Looks like a beautiful Island to explore.
I really enjoy getting off the Beaten track when I travel so this place was perfect for me. It is a treasure. Thanks Lyn
I love reading your account of one of my very favourite places. No matter how often I visit, the Tofino-Ucluelet area is always amazing. Glad you had fun and got to eat Nanaimo bars!
I have added the west coast of VI to my very favourite list also. I had to mention the nanaimo bars as some of my followers were asking did I taste them. Well yes I did, Linda made sure that I had many of them over the 3 weeks I was there. Fabulous part of the world, Thanks, Lyn
A great place by the looks of your photos Lyn. I laughed when I saw how packed your car was. I bet you had enough supplies for your four days definitely.
We had more than enough. We were still eating some of the food a week later when we were in Vancouver. Linda prepared for anything and everything. Thanks Sue. Lyn
You’re bringing back memories! Long Beach as well as whale watching. Love Tofino!
It is very unique and beautiful. Enjoy the memories. Thanks Lyn
Beautiful photos!
It’s a beautiful place. Thanks Lyn
It sure looks beautiful
Very beautiful indeed, thanks Lyn
Once again a very entertaining read.
Thanks Gail, this is a very entertaining place. Lyn
I’m glad you got to try the Nanaimo bars. A trip to Vancouver Island isn’t complete without them. If you passed through Coombs on your way across the island, that’s a pretty unique little place. It has a little store with a grass roof and goats on top. At least it did last time I was there, which was not exactly recent.
If you put goats on the roof, the people will come. Yes, I did and it was fabulous. There is a post to come about it. My friend Linda showed me so much of VI including lots of nanaimo bars. BTW are you from Vancouver Island. Thanks, Lyn.
No, but close. I live across the strait on the Olympic Peninsula.
I had not heard of Olympic peninsula so I just googled it, lovely.
wow nice place…thanks for share lyn
Pleasure
One of my favourite places! Thanks for all the photos — great reminders. The sea mist does add that magical touch.
I understand why it is one of your favourite places. Thanks Audrey. Lyn
I find the best Tofino has to offer requires a boat. One can get away from everything and everybody in just 15 minutes of boat travel!
I would love that cause I am a boatie. You live in a beautiful place.
I would like to take credit for that but cannot as I did not create it. I ran away from cities and found this place October 5th,1990 and haven’t looked back since!