Vancouver Island road trip: Tofino, Port Hardy & coastal highlights

After a beautiful ferry ride from Vancouver, we arrived in Victoria, Vancouver Island.

After a quick coffee stop, we drove along the coast to French Beach Provincial Park. We also planned to visit Mystic Beach, but it was closed due to storm damage.

We wandered around French Beach for a bit and then continued our drive toward Tofino. Taking a scenic back road instead of the main one, we stopped for food along the way and arrived late at our Airbnb.

Tofino travel tips and favourite spots

The next morning, I woke up early and enjoyed the view from the kitchen with a cup of green tea.

Later, we walked to Tofino Coffee and made our way to Anchor Park, which overlooks the harbour. On the way, we stopped to explore the local shops. One favourite: The Factory, where I bought a necklace handmade by Lisa Fletcher (not sponsored, I really like it!).

Just a short drive or bike ride away is Cox Bay. When we arrived, a movie about the Canadian Surf Team was being filmed.

From the beach, we found the start of the Cox Bay Lookout hike. There’s no clear trail; you climb over tree trunks and rocks, and parts are steep.

I wouldn’t recommend it without proper shoes, but the view was absolutely worth it. We stopped at the lower viewpoint and had it all to ourselves.

That evening, we had dinner at Wolf in the Fog. Although we had to wait despite our reservation, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect for a date night.

Sunsets, eagles and unexpected sounds

The next morning, we returned to Cox Bay, but it was stormy. We took a few photos and decided to come back for sunset.

Back in downtown, we grabbed coffee and sat at Anchor Park, where we watched bald eagles fly overhead, hunting fish.

Afterwards, we visited Tonquin Beach, starting from the parking lot. I was wearing a flowy dress when we suddenly heard a loud growl from the bushes near me. It sounded terrifying. A few other people passed by shortly after, and we didn’t hear it again.

We didn’t see anything, but since Tofino is bear, wolf, and cougar country, it’s good to stay aware of your surroundings, hike in groups, and consider carrying bear spray.

That afternoon, we returned to Cox Bay for sunset. The sky turned golden, I danced on the beach, the moon rose behind us, and we enjoyed the moment.

Tofino already felt like home, maybe because it reminded me of Australia. It’s laid-back, and the surrounding nature is incredible.

MacMillan Provincial Park and Port Hardy adventures

On the way to Port Hardy, we stopped at MacMillan Provincial Park. There’s a peaceful boardwalk on both sides of a busy road, where you walk among towering trees.

We continued our road trip along the coast, and the snow-capped mountains made the drive breathtaking. Looking out the window, I thought, “This would make the perfect photo backdrop.”

And it was! I was half asleep when my husband spotted a bald eagle sitting on a rock by the beach. We turned around, and I jumped out of the car, followed by my husband. We saw the bald eagle sitting on a stick in a pile of rocks.

We arrived in Port Hardy, planning to visit a remote beach, but the road was washed out and in poor condition. Our rental car had worn tyres and only one spare, so we made the tough call not to go. We don’t usually walk away from adventure, but we were on a timeline to catch the ferry back to the mainland, so we let this one go.

Instead, we explored downtown Port Hardy, a small town with a beautiful harbour view. We had great coffee at Café Guido & Co., visited the bookstore, and browsed the shop above the café.

We spotted more bald eagles near the harbour, walked a nearby beach and trail, and enjoyed one last peaceful moment before catching our next ferry.

What’s Next: Ferry to Bowen Island

After our time in Port Hardy, it was time to catch the ferry and head to our next stop: Bowen Island.

Read more about it in my next blog post!

With a smile - Nicole