Once on Vancouver Island, head west to Tofino and arrive at your leisure. You can check in to the Pacific Sands Beach Resort anytime after 16:00 (4pm). Once checked in, explore the dramatic waterfront of Tofino, or visit the small shops and restaurants around town.

Good morning! It’s your first full day in Tofino and it’s going to be exciting! Grab a good breakfast, stretch and make your way to your first adventure. You get to embark on a 2.5 hour kayaking excursion through the sparkling waters of Clayoquot Sound to see the spectacular views from your ocean perspective. Once you arrive at Meares Island, you will continue your journey on a 1.5 hour guided hike along the Big Tree Trail where you’ll explore the ancient temperate rainforest that inhabits the island. Stand in awe amongst the 1,000 -1,500 year old red cedar trees, some of the largest in Canada, and discuss ecology, First Nations history, and the environment movement that Clayoquot Sound is known for around the world. During your free time, do what the locals do and visit the beach. With a variety in the area, you can find the best spot for sand, surf, sun and storm watching. Nearby beaches include Chesterman, Cox Bay, MacKenzie, Wickaninnish, and Long Beach.

Start your day off with a relaxing morning exploring the beachfront. Don’t forget to charge your camera and prepare your gear for the day for your afternoon adventure. You get to travel partly along the coast to a sea lion colony and/or a seabird nesting sanctuary enroute to active whale watching areas. Gray whales are primarily seen; humpback, killer and minke whales may also be viewed. The excursion stops to explore rainforest and marine ecosystems of the area, and highlights marine wildlife such as seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and harbour porpoise. The adventure doesn’t end there! When you are not sailing the sea, strap on your shoes and venture off into nature to see widespread vegetation. Tofino and Clayoquot Sound provide ample hikes and nature walks to suit everyone, from the novice nature explorer to the seasoned hiker. Just a few minutes’ drive down Highway 4, you’ll find the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, offering several trails.

Spectacular views and burly bears await you today as you get to experience a 2 hour wildlife safari tour. This bear watching excursions begins at low tide with a relaxing 30-minute boat ride from Tofino through tranquil and sheltered inside passages by Meares Island, Fortune Channel or Tofino Inlet. The black bears living in this region are sub-species with webbed paws that helps them swim in the waters. Enjoy your morning coffee or tea and the fresh air of the Clayoquot Sound as you marvel at the sight of the black bears turning over rocks and boulders in search of crab and other food. These journeys often do not end just at the black bear. It is also common to see other wildlife including Bald Eagles, California Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Harbour Porpoise and Osprey. So keep your camera ready, as you never know when the perfect shot may appear!

Its time to pack up your belongings and check out of your accommodations by 11am. Don’t forget to search your room for any left-over belongings; its a long way to return to pick up any forgotten items! If you haven’t done so already, be sure to charge your devices, view the road reports and check in for your flight. Depending on the airport you are leaving out of, be sure to give yourself enough time to arrive and grab a snack before you depart.