Surf Tofino's Cox Bay

Tofino, British Columbia, is magical. It sits on the most western coast of Canada, on Vancouver Island. It is a small surf town, with natural Pacific Northwest beauty everywhere.....ocean, beaches, forests, islands. and the beautiful Pacific Rim National Park.

I personally like surfing Cox Bay because it's in front of the Long Beach Lodge Resort - we can walk to the hot tub, or inside to the fireplace and a bite to eat. BUT, if you want technical reasons, lots of people choose Cox Bay because it has the most consistent beach break, caused by its shape and westerly exposure. Many surf competitions are held here. The waves are the largest in the winter, which is called storm season there.

We (my family of 4) have visited during all of the seasons, but this last time we went in November. We always stay at the Long Beach Lodge Resort, near Cox Bay, because they allow dogs and they have a surf club, with rentals, hot tub, steam room, change rooms. We spend our days in Tofino surfing, walking the beaches, eating, hiking, visiting the tiny town, and for me, taking photographs.

We always end up in the hot tub after surfing (it does get cold!) and then heading out for some fresh seafood. I prefer to go off season, because the waves are better in the winter and, there are no crowds. My fave restaurant is Shelter, we sit by the fire and order fresh crab and beer. Other great restaurants are Sobo and Wolf in the Fog, and Tacofino is an excellent food truck. If you're looking for a little a local culture, head to Roy Vickers' Gallery. Tofino is a 6 hour journey from Vancouver, and includes beautiful BC ferries sailing.

If you're looking to rent or pick up some gear, our favorite surf shop is actually called Storm - it's a good place to rent boards if you're not staying at a place with rentals.

If you're looking for a more rugged stay, a good campsite is Crystal Cove.