Tofino Bed and Breakfasts | Bliss on the Rainforest Coast

There are several beaches along the rugged peninsula where Tofino lies, but BriMar Bed and Breakfast sits on the local favourite: Chesterman Beach. Your hosts will tell you that the winding 2.7-kilometre beach in their backyard is known for its sand, meaning you can kick off your shoes and stroll barefoot on Pacific shores just seconds from the garden. The hip design of this large, stylish home allows for more windows, and that’s good news because all three of BriMar’s lovingly appointed guest suites have ocean views.

Choose the Moonrise Room to relax amid dark wood furnishings and a warm, sun-kissed colour palette. Or there’s the Sunset Room with walk-in shower—ideal for rinsing the sand from your hair after a day on the beach—and big bay window overlooking the glittering surf. You can even stargaze right from your bed in the Loft Room, located on (you guessed it) the top floor and the largest suite in the house. Spot constellations through the skylight above your moonlit bed, or close the blinds and draw a steamy bath in your vintage clawfoot while flames crackle in the wood-burning fireplace.

When morning comes, your friendly hosts will greet you with a two-course breakfast served in the property’s waterfront dining room. Hot items like waffles, French toast and poached egg creations are always homemade and vary throughout the week alongside coffee, homemade breads and fresh fruit. Once you’ve had your fill, hit the beach to explore the tide pools or watch fledgling local surfers battle the waves. Or you might simply chill out in a deck chair by BriMar’s garden fire-pit with the sounds of the sea just behind.

South of Tofino, discover A Snug Harbour Inn in Ucluelet through the ancient trees and trails of Pacific Rim National Park. Owners Sue and Drew love welcoming guests to their luxury forest hideaway atop an 85-foot cliff, but even more excited to see you will be their tail-wagging rescue dog, Malcolm!

The Pacific views from this lofty property are of the rocky, wavy and romantic variety. There’s even a private pebbly beach if you feel the urge to descend from your adopted perch in the treetops in favour of the water. Up above, your hosts will make sure your stay is full of creature comforts. You’ll keep toasty warm in your personal digs, from the heated bathroom floors to the glowing fireplace in choice rooms. Prepare a coffee to your liking and revel in nature’s majesty from your quiet balcony space. After a luxurious nap, in plump, ultra-soft bedding, you can breathe in the scent of old-growth cedars from the giant outdoor hot tub on the main deck with epic views of the sea. Head inside to nibble on a freshly baked sugar loaf from Sue’s own recipe book when you get peckish—you’ll also find a delectable home-cooked breakfast here in the morning.

In addition to her daily egg based creations, Sue blends energizing, dairy-free fruit smoothies to kick start your adventures. There’s plenty to inspire your days here, even if you don’t stray far from the Great Room’s stone fireplace. Peer through mounted binoculars at the window at passing harbour ships, sea lions and spouting grey whales. Several wildlife tours and charters embark from nearby Ucluelet Harbour if you’re inclined to take a closer look, though you might just find that your ocean-facing suite is your preferred place of study.

The Indigenous Nuu-chah-Nulth (Nootka) translation of Ucluelet is “people with a safe place to land”, and this aptly describes the peaceful, inland-harbour setting where you’ll find Ucluelet Ocean Mist Guesthouse. Tucked behind a landscaped garden and hanging plants, this bed and breakfast values serenity and guest privacy. Your hosts, Kelly and Rod, recognize that chit-chat is not for everyone, so they let you enjoy meals in the comfort of your own room and on your own schedule in lieu of a set breakfast routine.

Your stay begins with a gift: a curated, seasonal provision basket waiting in your kitchenette. Kelly’s welcoming selection typically includes a pleasing assortment of fresh fruit, local cheese, artisanal bread, yogurt, oatmeal and homemade mini-muffins to enjoy in the morning. If you feel like filling your fridge and cupboard with even more spoils, there are plenty of shops and restaurants within a five-minute drive. Brew an herbal tea with your room’s kettle, then settle in to look out across the rolling backyard—you might just spot the deer that frequently come to sample the grass.

If you’re staying in the Uncle John room—complete with antique ship’s wheel on the wall—gather some tempting travel brochures from downstairs and peruse them on your breezy cedar deck. Rod can point you towards Amphitrite Point, where a refreshing loop along the Wild Pacific Trail will bring you to a 100-year-old lighthouse. The 45-minute Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop is an ideal morning exercise regime, too, and it’s only six minutes by foot from the guesthouse. That leaves plenty of time for afternoon jaunts to Central Ucluelet and Tofino… or a cheeky retreat back through your room’s private entrance for a cheese plate and a glass of BC Pinot Noir.

Every year, over 50 migratory bird species pass through the vast gardens of Cobble Wood and Bird Sanctuary Guest House on their way to the nearby Tofino Mudflats. Ken Sadler and his hospitality team draw their inspirations from nature, and have appointed all rooms and outdoor areas on the property with thoughtful touches that reflect the call of the wild. Take the luxury two-bedroom Sandpiper Suite for example, with it’s west-facing picture windows that frame the hummingbirds that come to visit hanging flower baskets in the afternoon. If you prefer a place without stairs, you can trade your deck for a ground-floor patio in the Heron Lower Loft.

Whatever room you choose, you can rustle up your own breakfast of choice in your full-sized, contemporary kitchen, and there are grocery stores, restaurants and food trucks just down the road. Or to cook al fresco, stroll past the natural pond outside your door—take a second to admire its lilies and the fluttering parade of butterflies and water striders—to the gas barbecue, ideal for grilling up corn-on-the-cob and succulent BC salmon. Walk a bit farther into the adjacent woods and you’ll find a secret clearing with cushioned chairs and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows!

When you fancy a change of scene, hit the front desk for advice and directions, plus direct ticket purchasing for some local tours. The Tofino Botanical Gardens are just a stone’s throw away, so flower lovers can browse the rotating displays of green thumb excellence that mix ecology with sculpture and eclectic art installations. If there’s one thing you do take from your eye-catching stay here on the peninsula’s inner coast, it’s that Tofino truly is a place where nature nurtures.

At the northern edge of the peninsula, Tofino Motel Harbourview stares out over the Clayoquot Archipelago to the temperate rainforests of Meares Island. This two-story motel is where adventurous DIYers come to push the boat out—literally. It’s downtown Tofino, so there’s a retinue of boat charters, fishermen and adventure companies here to take your vacation beyond the shore.

Climb the stairs to your sun-soaked room with spectacular views over the jewel-toned bay and forested hills. After rising from your pillowy bed in the morning, pop over to Rhino Coffee House for a latte to go and sip the strong brew from your own glass balcony as ships maneuver about the harbour. You can stock up on supplies for a DIY breakfast and keep them fresh in your room’s mini-fridge, alongside beer from Tofino Brewing Company (try the Kelp Stout). Later in the day, you can keep the marine theme going with some locally caught ling cod and chips at Wildside Grill, a local favourite.

As for seafaring adventures, you won’t want to miss visiting Meares Island by boat. Pick a tour provider steps from the motel to lead you to the island’s Big Tree Trail by sea kayak or water taxi. Feel your breath catch in wonder as you take in the sacred, 1000-year old trees that guard the rainforest canopy—some measure a whopping 60 feet across! If you decide to stay on land, take a trip to Roy Henry Vickers Gallery, owned by the world-renowned carver and print-maker, to get inspired by First Nations art. Even the mural-covered, cedar-plank exterior of the gallery is a sight to behold.