Tofino and Ucluelet

Just after the Easter weekend, we headed to Tofino for a mini holiday. To break up the trip, we stopped at Cathedral Grove and walked the boardwalk loop on the north side of the highway. (On the way home, we did the south side loop.) 

We stayed at Wild Pod in Tofino which are really unique geodesic domes. We definitely got the pod with the best view out onto the water. It was so nice that we often came back here with afternoon tea/coffee rather than sitting in a coffee shop somewhere. The only downside is that they were quite cool and we didn't want the heater going 24/7. I don't think we'd stay here if it was any colder outside. 

We did lots of short hikes in Tofino, Ucluelet and the area between such as Radar Hill, Rainforest Trail, Grice Bay, and the Wild Pacific Trail. 

At Radar Hill

At Grice Bay

Rainforest Trail

Skunk cabbage

Wild Pacific Trail
This area is part of the "Graveyard of the Pacific" due to all the shipwrecks over the years. 

My shadow and a sea star

Amphitrite Lighthouse

On a rainy day, we went to Ucluelet Aquarium which one of our favourite little aquariums. Just one big room but lots to look at and lots of touch pools for the kids (both big and small). The building sits right over the water and the ocean water is filtered in and out and fill and refresh the tanks. 

Wandering several galleries, a gelato treat at Chocolate Tofino and an afternoon drink at the Wickaninnish Inn rounded out the rainy day activities. 

We had wonderful supper meals at Wolf in the Fog, the restaurants at the Wickaninnish Inn and Long Beach Lodge. 

The view from Long Beach Lodge

On our last morning, we got in a short beach walk before more rain started pouring. 

And we finished our trip with a wine and cheese tasting at at Blue Grouse Winery. 

A fun and relaxing few days! 

Tofino and Ucluelet

We always love heading over to Tofino and Ucluelet and, since we haven't been here for several years, went to some of our favourite places and also found a few new ones. There are so many diverse hiking areas to choose from. Rain forest, beach, old growth forest and rugged coastline. 

Although far too expensive to stay at, the Wickanninish Inn has a lovely restaurant overlooking the ocean and a beach that is great to watch the surfers from. It's also the best place for storm watching but we were very lucky to have beautiful sunny days during our time here.

The Ucluelet Aquarium is one of our favourite. While not very big it has interesting local displays. I loved this colourful sea snail. 

Enjoying the warmth of the sun.

The largest trees in Cathedral Grove (east of Port Alberni) are 800 years old but most of them sprouted from a fire that opened the forest about 300 years ago. 

We finished the island part of our trip in Nanaimo and enjoyed the beautiful evening light on the harbour.