Ucluelet and Tofino

We're just back from a great long weekend in Ucluelet and Tofino, with Sarah's parents.

About Tofino and Ucluelet

Ucluelet (known as Ukee - mainly because people struggle to pronounce U-clue-let) and Tofino are two small towns about 40km apart on the southern and northern ends of a peninsula on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, which border the Pacific Rim National Park.

Tofino is a world renowned surf destination, due to it's location on the west coast where waves have the opportunity to build right across the Pacific Ocean - the next landfall due West is actually Russia!  It's pretty tourist oriented, but with a great chilled out vibe as you'd expect from a surf town.  Ukee is smaller and less touristy, but also has a laid back atmosphere.  

 

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Where to Stay in Ucluelet and Tofino

We've visited Tofino/Ukee a few times over the last 18 months, usually staying at the brilliant Surf Grove campsite, which is right on Cox Beach.  Surf Grove has amazing facilities for enjoying the beach; including surf rentals/lessons, beach side showers, beach yoga sessions, and a brand new sauna!  They have tent sites, RV sites, some RV rental units, and have just opened a pretty cool looking A-frame glamping pod.  The sunsets from Cox Beach are absolutely stunning.

This time we stayed in a beautiful cabin overlooking the beach in Ucluelet, booked through The Cabins at Terrace Beach.  'The Nest' had great views, perfect for Winter Strom Watching, and direct access to the Wild Pacific Trail.

Things to Do in Ucluelet and Tofino

The Lighthouse Loop is definitely worth a wander, it's an easy 2.6km loop with multiple view points.  We spent ages watching the sea pound into the shore, and even saw a few California Sea Lions surfing the waves.

Ukee was pretty quiet at this time of year, and one of our favourite haunts The Ucluelet Brewing Company, was actually closed for a well deserved winter break when we were there this time.  The brewery has a great patio overlooking Ukee Harbour and serves lovely Charcuterie boards, as well as beer!

With the Ukee brewery closed, we headed up to Tofino a couple of times over the weekend.  We had another great meal at the Shed on Saturday (we also ate there last summer), and a brilliant brunch at The Schooner on Sunday.

The Tofino Brewing Co also has a great tasting room (don't forget to bring your growlers so you can take some beer home!) and is right next to the Tofino Distillery.  The distillery makes organic Vodka, Gin, and even Absinthe.  Their Old Growth Cedar gin is infused with the tips of local Red Western Cedar and is well worth a try.

About 20km south of Tofino in the Pacific Rim National Park is an amazing Rainforest Trail.  It actually consists of two loops, one on either side of the road.  Look out for the pedestrian crossing as a marker for the parking area!  Each loop is about a km long on wooden boardwalks.  The Western loop was closed for repairs this time, but is my favourite route if you don't have time for both.

Summer or Winter, Tofino and Ucluelet are well worth a visit, and I'm sure we'll be back soon!