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Between the wind, rain and gray skies that have plagued coastal BC in recent days, my mind has been wandering to sunshine, water that’s as blue as the sky above and toasty warm sand. Though Vancouver Island is essentially surrounded by one big beach, there’s only one place to find that tropical feeling.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park – found on the southeast corner of Hornby Island – will dazzle you with its lush green forests, powdery white sand and aquamarine water. In fact, its main beach has long been lovingly nicknamed “Little Hawaii”.

Map: Google Maps

Almost every summer of my childhood was spent paddling in the translucent water and building enchanting castles in the sand of Big Tribune Bay beach. Bathers who are happy to leave their swimsuits at home might prefer the adjacent Little Tribune Bay beach as it’s designated as being clothing-optional.

Photo: Calypso Orchid on Flickr

Photo: Tyler Ingram on Flickr

More than just luxe sunbathing, Tribune Bay Provincial Park offers a large number of recreational opportunities. Perhaps the most interesting feature is the rock formations that run alongside the western shore of the bay with tidal pools to explore and views that will take your breath away.

Photo: olicanae on Flickr

The park also features boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking on designated trails and picnicking. A nearby privately-run campground is available for those wanting to make a week of it.

As a former student of Comox’s Brooklyn Elementary, I was fortunate enough to visit the park’s outdoor educational facility with my schoolmates. We enjoyed running through meadows and falling asleep to the sound of the gentle waves.

Photo: olicanae on Flickr

Photo: ecstaticist on Flickr

For a province known for its parks with old growth forests and towering mountains, it’s surprising to find such a gem so far north of the Equator. As BC celebrates 100 years of parks, highlighting the diversity of park landscape in our province is an important part of that celebration. While it’s certainly impossible to chose the most beautiful, it’s not difficult to pinpoint Tribune Bay Provincial Park as one of the most unique – and one of my most favourite.

Photo: Proggie on Flickr

Hornby Island is accessible by ferry via Buckley Bay to Denman Island and on to Hornby Island. Tribune Bay Provincial Park is a day-use only park and campfires are not permitted in the park at any time. There is no drinking water available at the park and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times (though they are not allowed on the beach). There are no lifeguards on duty so swimming is at your own risk. Please remember to take all garbage with you. For more information on Tribune Bay Provincial Park, please visit BC Parks online.

Weeks ago as I researched unique and interesting things to do in Ucluelet, I came across stories of a supposed blowhole on one of Ukee’s isolated stretches of shoreline.

Always looking for adventure, we zipped up our rain jackets, pulled on sturdy boots and set foot through the forest. Before long, we found ourselves on gritty sand and jagged rocks.

As we cut through the trees and could see ocean in the distance, a deep, eerie sound filled the air and shook from under the ground and through our feet. Not unlike the vibrating thuds Tyrannosaurus rex made in Jurrasic Park as he was nearing, we were suddenly excited at the sound, knowing that the blowhole was near. Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw!

Created by a vertical rock crevass that forms from sea caves, the Ucluelet blowhole is a phenomenal and rare sight in nature. When wind and water are sucked into the crevasse, the force of the pressure sends water and air thrusting upwards. [source]

Those lucky enough to visit the blowhole on a stormy day – and preferably when the tide is low – will experience something that is nothing short of the most incredible thing I have ever seen occur in nature. It’s difficult to put into words just how amazing a simple force of nature can be, but it’s well worth the trek and you’ll encounter more than just water sprays. Tidal pools are always fascinating to explore and we were even lucky enough to spot a mother eagle protecting her mammoth-sized nest.

Want to see the Ucluelet blowhole for yourself? Traveling south from the junction into Ucluelet, park at the side of the road a few metres south of Lee Street. The path entrance is marked by a concrete divider, opposite Hardy Road, though Hardy Road is unmarked. [map] The path is a bit more than a kilometre to the beach and when it forks, head to the right. Once you reach Fletcher’s Beach, veer left and look for a hard-to-find path cutting into the headland. The path entrance is illustrated below and once you’re on it, it’s marked with little orange flags. Listen for the blowhole and you’ll find it in no time. It’s about a 60-minute round trip.

Things To Remember: If you visit the blowhole, bear in mind that it’s on a fairly deserted beach and it’s important to let someone know your plans before heading out. There are no safety fences between you and the ocean and Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate, so consider leaving your pets and small kids at home. The Ukee blowhole is a protected favourite spot for locals, so please show the land respect – take any garbage with you and leave the beach exactly as you found it.

Hugged by the mighty ocean on all sides, it’s not difficult to find a Vancouver Island shoreline worthy of stealing your breath. Though the salt water is the same no matter where you find yourself on the Island, the contrasting and varied landscapes are a testament to just how creative Mother Nature can be.

With the bright rays of Summer on the horizon, I’ve got beaches on my mind. There are few things I enjoy as much as spending a sun-drenched afternoon by the sea before winding down the day with yummy cocktails on a patio while shaking sand out of my hair and from in between my toes. That said, this week’s Island Profile is dedicated to just a few of the countless beaches that reach around Vancouver Island, working north to south.

The Alders, Cape Scott Provincial Park

Photo: nrtphotos on Flickr

Campbell River

Photo: Counteract. on Flickr

Stories Beach

Photo: max8989 on Flickr

Miracle Beach

Photo: WindyWinters on Flickr

Kye Bay

Photo: ianredan on Flickr

Goose Spit Park

Tribune Bay Beach

Qualicum Beach

Photo: Van Felt on Flickr

Parksville Beach

Photo: Steven Hart on Flickr

Rathtrevor Beach

Photo: 9-lives on Flickr

Long Beach, Tofino

Photo: justthisguyyouknow on Flickr

Roberts Memorial Beach

Photo: maplemusketeer on Flickr

Shell Beach, Galiano Island

Photo: stephengg on Flickr

Sombrio Beach

Photo: BinoCanada on Flickr

French Beach

Photo: p.m.graham on Flickr

Botany Bay

Photo: tibchris on Flickr

Oak Bay, Victoria

Photo: turbulentflow on Flickr

Dallas Road shoreline, Strait of Juan de Fuca

For more information on beaches and parks across Vancouver Island, visit the BC Parks official website.

If Tofino was a superhero, Ucluelet would be its trusty sidekick – the one that does all the heavy lifting without taking much credit. While Tofino is beautiful in its own right, on the opposite stretch of sand that is the Pacific Rim National Park lies the sleepy town of Ucluelet – affectionately known as “Ukie” by Islanders.

Photo: Karl McCabe on Flickr

Slightly more than 100 kilometres west of Port Alberni on Highway 4, Ucluelet is the district municipality you’ll find if you steer south at the West Coast junction. Home to a tight-knit population of less than 2,000, this much less discovered community boasts more than a few unique bragging rights.

Map: Google Maps

While it’s thought that First Nations inhabited the West Coast of Vancouver Island for more than 4,300 years, Ucluelet wasn’t discovered by European explorers until 1787 when Charles William Barkley (the explorer that Barkley Sound was named for) arrived in search of pelts. Settlement was extremely slow in the area and nearly 100 years passed before Ucluelet was established as a trading post. Ucluelet would have to wait another 100 years before infrastructure such as churches and schools began to spring up.

Photo: revertebrate on Flickr

Photo: riacale on Flickr

Ucluelet’s culture is largely governed by the presence of the Yu-cluth-aht tribe, meaning “people of the safe landing place” or “people of the safe harbour”. The historical roots of Ucluelet dictate that the area has relied heavily on the fishing and logging industries to stay financially afloat. The same is true of the town’s population today, as most of its proudly hardworking residents deem these industries essential for survival.

Photo: magictoken on Flickr

Photo: quaelin on Flickr

Mother Nature is wild and unpredictable and this is especially recognized by residents of Ucluelet. Treated to an annual storm season, the thrashing ocean is both a sight to behold and a volatile force waiting to be unleashed. As such, Ucluelet is home to both the Amphitrite Lighthouse and acts as a key base for the Canadian Coast Guard.

Photos: san paco martire on Flickr; gabindu on Flickr

Photo: Loutron Glouton on Flickr

This community’s beauty is found not only in its natural expanses, but also in the charm and humour lining quiet streets and safe harbours.

Photo: roaming-the-planet on Flickr

Photo: Choconancy1 on Flickr

Ucluelet is also the home of furry and feathered dwellers including deer, whales, bald eagles, black bears, seals, sea lions, cougars and ocean-loving birds. Controversy brewed last summer after CBC News reported that the BC Environment Ministry was concerned over the welfare of a black-tailed deer named Bimbo that had been living with a Ucluelet woman as her pet for five years. The woman was ordered to release the deer or turn it over to a rehabilitation centre.

Those interested in a more in-depth look at the creatures of the local sea can visit the Ucluelet Aquarium [website] near the government dock on the waterfront.

Photo: Dave Bezaire & Susi Havens-Bezaire on Flickr

Photos: Yogue_style on Flickr

With its pristine beaches, jaggedly striking escarpments and toasty sunshine, it’s no surprise that tourism is rapidly becoming a vital component to Ucluelet. Visitors can occupy their time with any number of activities, not limited to hiking, surfing, fine dining, beachcombing, kayaking, fishing, relaxing at the spa and wildlife watching. Golf fanatics will be in seventh heaven as a Jack Niklaus Signature Golf Course is being developed – albeit controversially – to cover 220 acres at Wyndansea on the north end of town.

Photo: busysignals on Flickr

Photo: basic__sounds on Flickr

A lot of people tend to gently tease me for my ceaseless love for any and all things Vancouver Island, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why it causes my heart to skip a beat. The extraordinary beauty is simply breathtaking and the sense of tranquility is inescapable. The air really is different on the other side of the Georgia Strait.

Photo: Yogue_style on Flickr

Photo: the PhotoPhreak on Flickr

For more information on visiting this quaint jewel of the West Coast, please visit the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce [website].

I like rainy days. No wait, scratch that. I love rainy days. They lend to a particular sense of coziness that allows me to be lazy enough to stay indoors while invigorating enough to roll up my sleeves and get stuff done. I cleaned my entire apartment, cleared out hideous clothes I don’t wear anymore, junked old make-up from under the bathroom sink, bathed Jordy (who’s now fast asleep on the couch), baked cookies and prepped myself a margarita pizza from scratch.

As quaint as all that sounds, the other half of me is starting to feel restless for the coming days of endless sunshine… summer evenings in lush grass at the park, pitchers of crushed raspberry mojitos on the patio at Milestones (likely while practically living in this beauty through the sunny months), loading up on a bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables from the Coombs Market, sandy toes, sugary sweet ice cream dripping from hand-rolled sugar cones, wading in the ocean with my niece and my dog and a girls’ getaway week in New York City with Rebecca.

Instead of practically torturing myself with summer dreams, I decided to take a trip down memory lane in Flickrville and check out some of my favourite memories of Summer 2009.

Photo: John Bollwitt on Flickr

There are enough elements, places to discover and activities around Tofino and the surrounding region to fill a year’s worth of Island Profile posts. However, as it’s my first day back from holidays, I thought it would instead be nice to view the seaside village through my eyes.

To view all the photos I snapped on the wet coast, please visit my Tofino Set on Flickr.

Though it had been well over a decade since I last slipped into a kayak, I couldn’t wait to test out my sea legs once again. When Rebecca and I first started planning our girls’ getaway trip to Vancouver Island’s Oceanside region of Parksville and Qualicum, I was very excited to see that an afternoon kayak trip with Adventuress Wilderness Adventures for Women was first-up on our itinerary.

After a quick lunch in Nanaimo, we arrived at Wall Beach in Nanoose Bay for a PFD fitting. I also made sure to slather my skin with plenty of sunscreen (sun + sun reflected off water = double trouble) and ensured maximum fashionability with my brand new aquasox.

After zipping up our lifejackets, we quickly slapped on our new hats and were ready for our crash lesson in kayaking. While both Rebecca and I had been before, it’s smart to take some time to review safety rules, procedures and to agree to stay in a group.

Guiding kayak tours of the region for close to 10 years, Jan Kretz is an adventuress who knows what she’s doing. She’s got a fun attitude and a deep love for the ocean – something that was apparent to me from the moment we met her.

I was also quite impressed by her pink and purple kayak (not to mention slightly jealous)!

Soon enough we were ready to head out into the big, blue sea. Though the wind was blowing and the waves were rolling, we pressed onward from Wall Beach to Craig Bay with ferocity in our paddling. After all, we wouldn’t be adventuresses if we let a little bit of wind stop us, now would we?

As we reached the calm waters of Craig Bay, I couldn’t help by take a moment to smell the salty sea air and soak in the beauty that was around us. A bright sun, eagles soaring overhead, the towering mountains that form the spine of Vancouver Island and more geese than you can imagine…

Believe me when I say that there is nothing strenuous or stressful about laying your paddle across your kayak and letting the gentle waves lap and bob your solo vessel in the water for a few moments. Any worries were weightless, completely carried away in the sea.

Before long, the clock ticked down and it was time to head back to Wall Beach. Lucky for us, the wind was still blowing and allowed us to essentially “surf” our kayaks back to the shore. And as we all paddled in somewhat reflective silence, I can’t help but think we were all pondering how fortunate we were to be experiencing some place so beautiful by way of an adventure so unique.

UPDATE: Be sure to read Rebecca’s re-cap of our kayak adventure here.

Adventuress Wilderness Adventures for Women operates throughout most of the year with the summer months naturally being the busiest. Based out of Nanoose Bay, just 10 minutes south of Parksville, Jan offers half-day, full-day, weekend and multi-day trips geared to all skill levels of paddling. For more information and to book a paddle date with your best girlfriends, you can visit the Adventuress website, e-mail Jan directly or call toll free at 1-866-955-6702.

Australian writer Germaine Greer once said “The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.” Surely she must have experienced a weekend on Vancouver Island.

Since Andrea was planning meet up with a friend of hers in the Comox Valley and I was headed there to visit family, we grabbed the same ferry together and ended up having one of those weekends made up of memories and magic.

We met so many amazing dogs on the ferry, but this Rottweiler named Beth was the star of the show. She was really just a big cat who, the more we cuddled her, the more she rested lazily against our legs.

No doubt Jordy is a water baby just like his mama. We started Saturday early by grabbing him and Charley, a couple coffees from McDonald’s and hit the beach at the Courtenay Airpark.

The water was warm and glassy, the sun hot and bright and the sand was like wet baby powder under our feet.

It’s no secret that I’m currently engaged in a passionate love affair with Vancouver Island wines, so I made sure to bring Andrea by Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery.

They had some swings.

I’ve never been to the Courtenay Museum & Palaeontology Centre. I don’t think you’re supposed to snap pictures, but I grabbed this one anyways. Yes, dinosaur bones and fossils have been found all over the Comox Valley.

After Miss A’s rendez-vous, she met up with my mom and I at Atlas Cafe for some dinner. I had the veggie enchilada again.

After dinner, we didn’t head straight home. Instead we found ourselves on Headquarters Road and pulled over by Casawood Farms. The space is home to many, many cows and is one of the Island’s producers of milk for Island Farms.

I wasn’t thrilled to see their ears tagged (though how different can it be than a mom piercing her baby’s ears), but I suppose it’s important for identification purposes. I was, however, excited to see that the cows had an eating area separate from their clean, dry sleeping area.

None of the cows had docked tails, none were forced to sleep in pens, none were hooked up to milk machines and there were acres and acres of green grass for them to roam during the day. The ladies let us pick up handfuls of their muck and feed them by hand. This was a great idea until my (mom’s) camera fell into the feeding trough.

Who knew cows peed out of their bums?

Really? You feel okay knowing that such beautiful girls are callously butchered like something out of a horror movie just so you can enjoy that burger? Oooookay.

A few kilometres further down the road we found another private farm with a few horses roaming the field. All it took was a sweet whistle and they came running towards us.

Like the lovely cows, the horses also let us feed them by hand with handfuls of grass we pulled from the roadside.

I think I kinda like animals.

First discovery on the ferry: Jordy left his mark on my leg.

No, not that kind of mark.

Oops… forgot this beauty shot from Coombs.

Since it was sunny, we decided to ditch the dog area and opted for a picnic on the deck instead.

Comox Brie from Natural Pastures, BC-grown cherries and über healthy crackers.

Yummmmmmy!

We met Mitch on the way back, a one-and-a-half-year-old black labrador/mastiff cross. I couldn’t tell if he was more interested in Jordy or the brie cheese, but we didn’t mind his company either way. His tongue was bigger than two of Jordy’s paws put together!

After stuffing our bellies, all three of us laid back under the big, beautiful sun for an afternoon nap.

That’s all for now, kids.

Vancouver Island is essentially surrounded by one endless beach and as much as the terrain changes, one thing remains certain: beauty. Kilometres of sand are constantly licked by refreshing salty water. While the east coast of the Island is certainly not without its charm, nothing compares to the shores of the west coast.

Photo: CanadaGood on Flickr

Nestled at the half-way point between Port Renfrew and Sooke on the southern part of the Island, China Beach is one of those special spots that seems untouched. Located next to Jordan River, it is part of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

Photo: Water Lily Lane

Like most beaches on the west coast of the Island, it’s not unusual to see many surfers and seals alike bobbing in the salty Pacific Ocean water.

Photo: Spiritwood Images on Flickr

Photo: maplemusketeer on Flickr

While a perfect setting for camping, picnics, swimming and sandcastles, China Beach is also the trailhead for Vancouver Island’s famous Juan de Fuca trail. The Juan de Fuca trail stretches 47 kilometres along the shore to Botanical Beach – most hikers make the journey in two and a half days.

Photo: nuanc on Flickr

Photo: maplemusketeer on Flickr

China Beach offers endless stones to be overturned and a number of trails to be explored, but grey whale migration is certainly a sight to see. During the spring and fall, it’s estimated that up to 17,000 of these beautiful behemoths make the journey past China Beach.

Photo: BinoCanada on Flickr

Photo: Zero-X on Flickr

Photo: CanadaGood on Flickr

There’s certainly something surreal about watching the sunset and knowing that it’s simultaneously rising over Japan.

Photo: BinoCanada on Flickr

It should go without saying that if you plan on visiting China Beach or any of Vancouver Island’s other parks, please respect the land. Take your garbage with you, leave the vegetation alone and avoid any wildlife you may encounter. Bears, cougars and rogue ocean waves are frequent visitors to China Beach.

To visit, head west on Highway 14 past Sooke and click over to the BC Parks website for further information.

When I was a teenager, I spent all my May long weekends camping in Parksville. Between swimming at the beach, roasting marshmallows around the campfire and trying my hand at mini golf, there was always something fun to do.

Photo: City of Parksville

Times have changed and though I no longer find myself camping in the springtime, the long weekend is a perfect excuse (like I ever need one) to get back to Vancouver Island.

Photo: DragonWoman on Flickr

The weather forecast is a bit less than favourable, but I’m hoping to get a lot of fun packed into those three days.

Aside from spending quality time with my aunt and introducing Jordy to his new “cousin” Charley for the first time, my mom and I are looking forward to a scrumptious dinner at Avenue Bistro in the seaside town of Comox. However, I can’t decide between the Baked Hazelnut-crusted Comox Camembert with apple cranberry compote or the Vegetarian Meze Plate with hummus, baba ghanouj and more delectable goodies.

I think it goes without saying that we’ll be feasting on some Island Farms ice cream for dessert. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for banana fudge to be in stock!

If you happen to be on the upper Island this weekend, be sure not to miss the annual Art and Bloom Festival at Woodland Gardens in Merville. My mom and I went last year and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery mingled with beautiful crafts from local artisans.

And the best part? It’s a dog-friendly location, so Jordy and Charley will be tagging along as well! Hopefully that sun will hang on long enough to allow the four of us a trip to Miracle Beach‘s off-leash beach to let the monkeys burn off some energy on the sand…

What do you have planned for the long weekend?