Originally Posted by
jakeller
Hi all,
I'm looking to decompress from all of the US election madness by heading up to Vancouver Island in January - probably the second half of the month - and staying at a nice place with a great view of the water. I'd be driving from Seattle and most likely take the ferry from Tsawwassen (unless they lock us out). wI was initially thinking of watching the big waves in Tofino, but then saw in this forum that it's not the most exciting place and very cold. And it looks like there's a mountain pass to cross.
Does anyone have suggestions on the east or south sides of the island? I've stayed around the harbour in Victoria before and am looking for somewhere more remote. The only place I'm considering around Victoria is the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. I've found some hotels in Parksville that seem like good choices, and recs would be appreciated. Is there anywhere else worth considering that's not too far from the ferry terminals in Swartz Bay and Nanaimo?
Thanks,
Jeff
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet is right on the water. There are nearby walking trails along the coast. The best winter storm watching is along that area of Vancouver Island between Tofino and Ucluelet and along Pacific Rim National Park. The drive there from Port Alberni isn't that bad but lots of twists and turns. It's best to tackle in full daylight. Stop off at Cathedral Grove on the way to Port Alberni to see the giant trees.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel is a beautiful hotel with great views of their garden and mineral pools. It has a distant view of the water but that side of the island doesn't get the dramatic big waves. Parksville has a very shallow protected beach so I can't imagine the waves get that big in the winter either.