Breakfast walk in Cox Bay, Tofino

It’s hard to think of a more wonderful way to start 2014 than a trip, no matter how short, to my absolute favourite spot in Canada.

My family and I were in Tofino, BC for two days at the beginning of January before we all got back to work, school and a my new co-op position on January 6th in Kamloops, BC. We have been coming here for years, particularly to Pacific Sands Beach Resort right on Cox Bay. It’s like an old friend!

Tofino, on Vancouver Island

I was itching to get out on the beach I spent so many summers on, so the first morning we were there I scooped up my bowl of oatmeal (thanks Dad!) and went for a walk. Forgot my usual point and shoot in my car, so snapped a few mementos with my cellphone.

Not a bad view for breakfast.

I love these little sand formations that form as water drains into the ocean when the tide changes. They look like trees growing in the sand.

Driftwood of the giants – driftwood from trees just that are hundreds of years old wash up on the shores of Cox Bay.

Cox Bay is within the bounds of the incredible Pacific Rim National Park.

Just breathtaking.

The symbol of the resort we stayed at is a sand dollar, which are fairly common on this beach and sandy spots on the west coast of Vancouver island in general. I think they’re beautiful.

Sand Dollar

They are like the more well known sea star in many ways, their bottoms being covered in tiny legs for transportation and suction systems for food. This one is dead, unfortunately, so it’s been bleached white (the ones I’ve seen are typically purple) and no longer has these fleshy parts but the skeletal structure is pretty neat.

Underside of a sand dollar

Some of the most remarkable views of Cox Bay are visible from the trail just adjacent Pacific Sands Resort. Sunset Point is accessible by boardwalk, but be careful – in damp conditions (pretty well all the time in this part of the world) the wooden boardwalk is extremely slippery. One member of my family slipped the evening before I took these photos and actually broke a bone as a result. As much as I love Pacific Sands, it must be said that the Resort needs to do some maintenance work on this trail in a bad way to prevent injury. In climates like this, wood rotting and deteriorating is a fact of life that requires consideration and proactive preventative maintenance.

The perfect place for a sunset. Sunset Point at Cox Bay, Tofino.

My dad and I watched the waves roar into shore as the sun set.

The view at sunset of the little inlet between the island in front of Pacific Sands Resort and the cliffs. Watching this area fill and empty with water when the tides change is one of my favourite pastimes at Pacific Sands.

If you ever get a chance, Tofino is more than worth your time and travel dollars to visit, especially if you’re a fan of the outdoors. During the summer (and even the winter if you’re brave enough), there is great surfing to be had. In the winter, the storms bring an incredible outdoor show to the shores as the waves turn violent. Between seasons, the water temperature actually changes very little, just a few degrees Celsius. You can surf all year round, and we usually did when I was a fearless water-kid!

Hello from the most beautiful place in Canada!