Tofino is stunningly beautiful, with rocky outcrops, breakers rolling from Japan and miles of sandy beach accessible at Pacific Rim National Park.

But here's Tofino's dirty little secret: It's COLD. The ocean is bone-chilling cold. I've been there in August and fog rolls in. So if you have a kid who wants to play in the ocean, as a parent you and the kid are suffering hypothermia in no time.

So I'd like to throw in a different suggestion:

Unlike the west coast of Vancouver Island (where Tofino is), have a look at the East Coast of the Island. There are some beautiful beaches on the Island -

- Rathtrevor Beach (Parksville)

- Williams Beach (Comox)

- Miracle Beach (Comox)

...and it's much warmer, both on land and in the sea. Ocean isn't Hawaii temps, but [unlike Tofino] you can certainly swim in it.

If you want to go a bit further afield, take a look at Hornby Island - Accessible from the Comox Valley: