Accommodation

The west coast of Vancouver Island is an amazing place. Rainforests, beaches, wildlife, and a relaxed way of life are all here in abundance. Five-star hotels are not, and this is a good thing. Staying in and around the Pacific Rim National Park is a treat, but book early for peak season accommodation.

A few tips:

• Do you want to stay in Tofino or Ucluelet? Chesterman Beach is nearer Tofino, but still quite a long walk in. You cannot really manage to holiday here without a car, or a bike and strong legs.
• Bed and Breakfasts are very popular, and it is very pleasant to feel like a guest in someone's home. The drawbacks are that you may be forced into mixing with other guests that you don't like - although for most people, this interaction is an attraction.
• Rentals - these vary from fully self-contained properties to suites within houses that have a kitchenette. For a few days of private luxury these could be ideal.
• There are "resorts", usually relatively low-impact, well-hidden places. They do not come cheap.
• If you like going out for a drink in the evening - stay in the town. The roads are windy and can be foggy - and you shouldn't drink and drive anyway.
• If you are going out of peak season, try and bargain, there are certainly some good deals to be had.

Eating & Drinking

Getting Around

• After all, you could always hire one from the Budget office in Tofino.
• Or simply fly everywhere, although this might get expensive!
• Getting here by bus requires a bit more advance planning (click on North or Southbound Laidlaw service for the East/Westbound Nanaimo - Tofino service).
• With so much water, wouldn't boats be a good idea? Well, yes, kayaks and charter boats are listed below in Miscellaneous. Going out on your own is not advisable unless you are experienced and well-equipped.

Miscellaneous

• For most people, the Long Beach unit of the Pacific Rim National Park is the main draw to this region.
• The most ubiquitous source of information, maps and guides is Long Beach Maps. Pay particular attention to the wildlife and beach safety page.
• The Tofino and Ucluelet chambers of commerce have good links and service directories. Also look at Ucluelet.net.
• Explore Radar Hill, but read all about its raison d'être before you go.
• If you want to gen up on the park before exploring on foot, try ordering the official guide here.
• Water is inescapable in these parts - either as rain or ocean. Many companies offer whale watching and kayaking trips:
  • For the whales/Hot Springs combo, we went with The Whale Centre in Tofino, and would happily recommend it.
  • For kayaking, I have read good reports of Coastal Knights in Ucluelet.
  • Remote Passages in Tofino offers both, and also gets good reports, but I like the look and sound of Rainforest Kayak Adventures myself.
  • If you want to test yourself, then check our Pristine Adventure's Extreme category.
• Highbrow culture is not quite so easy to find here on the Edge. But thanks to local First Nations artists whose skills are now recognized and appreciated worldwide, you can look round the Eagle Aerie Gallery in Tofino, the sole preserve of Roy Henry Vickers. Or the Himwitsa Gallery, which is more of a shop.

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© 2002 Jonathan Turton
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