Breathing Again: A February Escape to Tofino
Why I Keep Coming Back Every Winter
February in Alberta sits in a strange middle — winter is no longer exciting, but spring is still far away. Around this time every year I start craving green, moisture, and quiet. The rainforest feels like medicine for the prairie cold, and without planning it deliberately, this trip has quietly become a ritual.
Getting There
We flew from Calgary to Comox and drove across the island to Tofino. On our previous visit we stayed in Ucluelet, but this time we chose the other end of Tofino and it completely changed the rhythm of the trip.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at one of the Fred Tibbs Ocean Front condos. Comfortable, well equipped, and most importantly — constantly connected to the ocean. The view alone shaped our days.
When to Visit
Surfing: Summer
Storm watching: November–December
Quiet reset: February–April (my favorite)
Comox Food Stops
Honey Grove Bakery
A sourdough stop worth planning around. We carried a loaf with us to Tofino for the week and another back home.
Hen and the Hog
After an hour wait we understood why people come — simple brunch done properly: omelette and hash browns, exactly what we needed after travel.
Our Daily Rhythm in Tofino
Morning — Long Beach
We parked at Incinerator Rock and walked without an agenda. Soft light, long shadows, and the sound of the water became our morning routine. Many packed lunches ended up being eaten here simply because we did not want to leave.
Sunset — Chesterman Beach
Chesterman became the evening anchor. The cove changes character through the day, but at sunset it feels almost cinematic. At low tide we walked toward Frank Island (staying mindful it is private property) and returned each day regardless of weather.
Afternoon — Wandering the Coast
Some days meant walking the full stretch of the beach, other days meant just sitting. The repetition was the point.
South Beach (Ucluelet Side)
Starting from the Kwisitis Visitor Centre, the trail to Florencia Bay and South Beach is a must‑visit — open, dramatic, and completely different from the sheltered coves near Tofino.
Favorite Trails Along the Pacific Rim Highway
Rainforest Trail (6A & 6B)
The real reason I come here. An entire afternoon disappears easily among the boardwalks, moss, and filtered light. Every visit feels the same — calm, grounded, unhurried.
Ancient Cedars Trail
We stopped at the Artist viewpoint to watch waves break against the rocks under brief winter sun.
Tonquin Trail
A dependable 3.2 km walk with steps, viewpoints, and a quiet beach at the end. One I repeat every trip.
Rainbows
For four consecutive February days, a rainbow appeared from our window — no trail required.
The Way Back
We spent two days in Qualicum Beach at Shorewater Resort Rentals. Calm water, no wind, and a gentler coastline — a soft landing before returning home.
Driving toward Port Alberni, Cathedral Grove and the Giant Cedars are worth stopping for. The scale of the trees resets your sense of time in the same way the ocean does.
Before our flight we walked Goose Spit Park in Comox. By the end of it my husband had already begun suggesting we move there — the surest sign a place worked on us.
Closing Thoughts
Some trips feel like vacations, but this one feels more like maintenance. Every winter I arrive slightly tired of the cold and leave with a kind of internal reset I cannot really explain. Maybe it is the green, maybe the ocean, maybe just the permission to slow down. Whatever it is, February now belongs to Tofino — and I already know I will return.
