Tofino is one of the most magical places in all of Canada to visit. Surfing, whales, Pacific Northwest Rainforest hikes and storm watching are just some of the draws that bring tourists to this enchanted piece of Vancouver Island. All of that and more draw me to Tofino and a stay at Long Beach Lodge Resort at Cox Bay Beach. Great food, marine adventures, storm watching, and year round playing on a beach are all within my reach at the Lodge. Some come to surf, I come to watch the surf and there is no better place than right here at Long Beach Lodge, my home away from home in Canada’s Surf Capital.
#1 Accommodations – Whether you stay in one of the 41 Lodge rooms or the 20 Cottages you will enjoy rustic elegance at Long Beach Lodge. I booked myself into a ground floor unit with views out towards Cox Bay Beach. Cosy and set up for maximum enjoyment. My room includes a King-sized bed complete with sitting area near a fireplace plus a mini fridge large enough to store all the wine and snacks I may need. I can enjoy them by the fire or out on my patio, the choice is mine.
The bathroom offers the usual amenities, but it also features a large soaker tub big enough for two with shutters that look into the bedroom. If a storm is raging outside, I can easily see myself sitting in the tub surrounded by candles and a bottle of wine while I watch Nature exert her dominance outside.
The view I wake up to on my first morning is spectacular. Blue in the Sky with fog dancing over the waves as the sun lands on the beach to warm us all up. They say if you don’t like the weather in Tofino, just wait a few minutes.
#2 Great Food – After a long Ferry ride and drive from Vancouver the first thing I want to do is grab a table in Long Beach Lodges Great Room restaurant. Boasting one of the best views of any restaurant I’ve ever visited I would be happy just sitting in a chair drinking a glass of wine while I watch the surf pound the shoreline.
To go with the view, they also have a fantastic menu that includes local Baked Oysters Two Ways. I almost ordered the whole Dungeness Crab with Mac & Cheese, but the special of the day, Braised Lamb Shank with Crispy Polenta, called out my name. Can you say nom nom. I licked my plate clean it was so good. Fall off the bone good.
By the time I was ready for dessert, I took it back into my room, turned on the fireplace and chillaxed while I heard the wind and rain outside my room. Does it get any more relaxing than this?
#3 Cox Bay Beach – Step outside of Long Beach Resort and Cox Bay Beach is right in front of you. It doesn’t matter if the tide is low or high there always seems to be people on the beach and who can blame them. A morning walk with the dog as fog dances on the air, families building sand castles or just meditating in an Adirondack Chair as you take in the salt air.
You don’t need to be a Zen Master to relax here. Step outside onto the beach and just breathe.
A lot is going on today so this #momentofzen is to help quiet the chaos. Surf time lapse at Cox Bay Beach in front of @longbeachlodgeresort @hellobc #explorebc #yourtofino #tofino #surf #travel #travelblog #travelblogger #nature #ocean #clayquotsound #pacificnorthwest #pacificrim #wanderlust #zen
A video posted by Marc Smith (@themarcsmith) on
Mar 22, 2016 at 9:36am PDT
There is more to my stay at Long Beach Lodge, but you will have to wait to find out about that. Will I give surfing a try at their Surf School or perhaps I’ll head out onto the water on one of their Marine Adventures?
Which would you choose? Come back to find out what I picked.
