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Where to Stay: Tofino
| Ucluelet
Tofino and Ucluelet are small towns on the
West Coast of Vancouver Island, serving as bookends to
Pacific Rim National Park. Found at the end of Highway 4,
Tofino is north of the park while Ucluelet is at the
southern edge of the main Long Beach park unit.
Both are long-time fishing villages, where salmon
fishermen leave for the Pacific Ocean fishing grounds.
Because of the nearby national park, both towns have
accommodations for visitors, including hotels, motels,
B&Bs and campgrounds, and also provide a base for
exploring the wild West Coast scenery and the park's
natural attractions.
You'll find grocery stores, cafes, and things to see
and do in the towns. Visit the native art and crafts
galleries in Tofino, and take a boat trip to Hot
Springs Island where a natural spring provides
wonderful soaking in the coastal forest. Kids enjoy
walking along the fishing piers, where they will find all
kinds of fishing boats -- large and small.
Camping
Camping is available in Pacific
Rim National Park, at serviced as well as primitive
(walk-in) campsites. However, you'll find unique camping
spots very close to the edges of the park, near both
Tofino and Ucluelet.
Driving to Tofino
To get there from Victoria, take Highways 1 and 19
north, driving through Nanaimo to the junction with
Highway 4. Turn west onto Highway 4 and drive across
Vancouver Island. At the end of the road, turn left for
Ucluelet, or turn right for Pacific Rim National Park and
Tofino. The Long Beach unit of the national park is
entered almost immediately, and Tofino is at the northern
end of the road.
Staying in and
near Tofino
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Best Western Tin Wis Resort
1119 Pacific Rim Highway, P.O. Box 389
Tofino B.C. V0R 2Z0
(250) 725-4445
What used to be a rustic seaside lodge is now a
high-class modern resort operation with a
glassed-in restaurant facing the Templar
Channel, landscaped grounds, rooms with double
and queen beds, and access to the ocean beach
($$ to $$$).
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Weigh West Marine Resort
634 Campbell Street, P.O. Box 69
Tofino B.C. V0R 2Z0
(250) 725-3277 or 800-522-7622
This is a fancy name for a motel at the Tofino
fishing port, with standard rooms and
one-bedroom housekeeping units. The dining room
is open from March through October. There's also
a marine pub, and the action on the fishing
piers is fascinating. Downtown Tofino is a
ten-minute walk away. Fishing charters and
sightseeing boat tours can be arranged.
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Chesterman Beach Bed &
Breakfast
1345 Chesterman Beach Road, P.O. Box 72
Tofino B.C. V0R 2Z0
(250) 725-3726
This is an oceanfront B & B operation with
two rooms and a separate cottage. The rooms have
single and double beds and private baths.
There's also a sauna, and the sandy beach is at
the door, with hiking trails nearby.
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Bella
Pacifica Resort & Campground
P.O. Box 413, Tofino, BC Canada V0R 2Z0
(250) 725-3400
This is a campground for tenters and RVers, two
miles south of Tofino, on Mackenzie Beach. There
are oceanfront and wooded campsites, full and
partial hookups, cable TV, flush toilets,
showers, laundry, ice, firepits, and firewood.
Pacific Rim National Park is a few minutes'
drive south. 160 sites.
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Matt & Ben's Retreat (Camp
Sayachapis)
P.O. Box 401, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0 Canada
This island is a 20 minute boat ride south of
Tofino, in Grice Bay. Hiking, kayaking,
canoeing, swimming, and fishing are just a few
of the activities available for outdoor
enthusiasts. Six large tent sites and two self
contained cabins are available. Reservations are
recommended in high season.
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Staying in
Ucluelet
Canadian Princess Resort
Peninsula Road, P.O. Box 939
Ucluelet B.C. V0R 3A0
(250) 726-7771 or 800-663-7090
This resort operation is open from March 1
through September 30, and includes a historic
steamship permanently moored in Ucluelet
Harbour. You can stay in a stateroom on board,
or ashore in superior motel-style rooms, some
with fireplaces. There is a dining room with
lounges, and fishing packages can be arranged.
For such an unusual resort, prices are quite
reasonable ($ to $$$).
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Pacific Rim Motel
1755 Peninsula Road, P.O. Box 172
Ucluelet B.C. V0R 3A0
(250) 726-7728
This is a standard, concrete-block motel on
Ucluelet's main street, close to shopping and
the fishing harbour. There are standard and
housekeeping units, some with views of the
harbour. Restaurants and the grocery store are
nearby.
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Burley's Bed and Breakfast
1078 Helen Road, P.O. Box 550
Ucluelet B.C. V0R 3A0
(250) 726-4444
This B&B home has a great waterfront setting
on Ucluelet Inlet, with six units, twin, double,
queen, king and waterbeds, shared baths, a
lounge with fireplace and continental breakfast.
Other facilities include a recreation room with
pool table, rowboat, and canoe.
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Island West
Fishing Resort
140 Bay Street, P.O. Box 32
Ucluelet B.C. V0R 3A0
(250) 726-7515
Right in the midst of the fishing docks, this
lodge with campground is at the foot of Bay
Street. The motel section has standard rooms.
The RV park has partial hookups, showers, flush
toilets, laundry, dump station, freezer, ice, a
boat launch, bait and tackle shop, and a private
marina. Guided salmon and halibut fishing can be
arranged. There's a marine pub with libations
and pub food on-site.
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