Originally Posted by Fragola

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.