Storm Watching
Located on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Tofino is approximately two hours from Parskville. When you reach the Highway #4 intersection north of Nanaimo, take it west to Port Alberni, BC, on to the junction near Ucluelet, BC, turn right and pass through the Pacific Rim National Park on your way to Tofino, BC. Here the wild west coast is framed by a majestic stand of old growth forest overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the island archipelago, and the natural sweep of spectacular beaches.
Any one of the numerous lodges and accommodations offer whale watching whereby the migrating groups of Pacific Gray Whales drift by on their annual 10,000-mile migration that takes them from Baja to Canada and Alaska; you can hike one of the many deep wilderness trails in Pacific Rim National Park - one of the biggest preserved ancient temperate rain forests left world-wide; explore the coast-line and inside waters of Clayoquot Sound via sea kayak; soak in hot tubs and natural rock pools that are naturally fed by underground hot springs; fish for BC salmon, halibut and steelhead; golf, surf and scuba dive.
Once you're settled safely in your accommodation of choice, make sure to watch for signs and indicators warning of the advancing powerful storm fronts. The direction of the waves will shift, the colour of the water will change - transforming from a deep blue to gray and finally to black as the storm closes in. The water is whipped into a churning fury as waves swell into monster breakers that roll in and slam into the rocky coastline. Here, winter storm watching, which extends from November to March, carries a spectacular series of perfect storms from the Pacific.
Swells up to twenty-feet in height roll shoreward with tremendous force. The wind surges in howling gales that charge in from the sea and buffet the walls of buildings and whip through the surrounding forest. In the peaceful quiet of the following morning, pull your gumboots and slicker on and trek the shoreline for interesting things that that the storm tide dropped at the high tide line.
Some of the excellent places to stay in Tofino that cater to the Pacific Coast storm watching experience are: Long Beach Lodge, Snug Harbour Inn, Pacific Sands Resort, Cox Bay Beach Resort, Middle Beach Lodge, Ocean Village Resort, Tofino Inlet Cottages, and more.
Important resources: Weather - Road conditions Dump stations