Immersive and captivating, the Wickaninnish Inn celebrates its rich heritage through attentive hospitality and the spirit of adventure. Perched between the ancient rainforest and the sea, our location offers unparalleled access to the true nature of Vancouver Island’s west coast. Alongside the lively wonderscape outside, our offerings are presented with genuine care and consideration, giving you the time to share special moments and create timeless memories. The Inn’s two neighbouring buildings house all of our accommodations and services just steps from the beach. Their architecture has helped define the archetypal North West Coast style, one which utilizes natural elements of local cedar, fir, driftwood and stone in its design. With windows opening towards the surrounding landscape and seascape, guests are immersed in the beauty of our incredible surroundings from every room. Sculptures and artwork from local artisans feature prominently throughout the Inn and create the essence of its unique character.
Additional Noteworthy Features
Resort Features
- Ancient Cedars Spa
- Henry Nolla’s Carving Shed
- Fitness Room
- Nearby Trails & Beach
- Complimentary Bikes
- Lookout Library
- Henry Nolla Art Gallery
- Shuttle Service
- The Pointe Restaurant
- On the Rocks Bar
- Howard’s Wine Cellar
- Driftwood Cafe
Experiences at The Wickaninnish Inn
Adventure
- Waves roll in, cormorants dive into the sea, sea lions play offshore and, further out, islands carry forest-covered mountains on their backs—this is Canada’s West Coast, beckoning to your inner explorer. Get out there and live in the elements! From sea to sky, the West Coast is a natural playground. With sea kayaking, surfing, biking or fishing just steps out the door, you can divide your days into a rotation of active adventure or focus your time perfecting one. The sandy beaches of the Esowista Peninsula are optimal for learning how to surf. There are several local outfitters who provide lessons and gear—even for the tiniest age groups—to get you safely into the waves and help you polish your style. Beginners and expert paddlers alike can enjoy a kayak trip out in Clayoquot Sound; go for a four-hour excursion or a multi-day trip to island hop. If you’re hooked on getting further out to sea, highly-skilled fishing guides will take you to catch halibut, salmon and lingcod.
Culture & Artisanship
- Starting with the artistry of the Nuu-chah-nulth people, the West Coast has long sparked a creative fire in those who live and visit here. From painters to musicians, woodworkers to food artists—talent is in abundance! This ingenuity extends to other crafts, as well: our local brewery is a popular community hub and purveyor of small-batch brews, our annual film festival a much-anticipated event and local florists, photographers and jewellery-makers use their mediums to define unique interpretations of appreciating this region. You won’t have to go far to see the handiwork of local artisans. From our hand-carved doors by Henry Nolla to the signature driftwood chairs, the Inn proudly features the incredible skills of our neighbours in every room. Some of the pieces were made in the Carving Shed right next door, where local carvers welcome visitors to watch them at work. The town of Tofino is small, but bustles with vibrant businesses. Stylish shops and gift boutiques offer locally-made goods, and dining venues leave nothing to be desired with their house-made sweet and savoury menus.
Nature of Clayoquot Sound
- The nature here is predictably unpredictable, that’s what makes it wild! Discover sun-dappled trails winding through the rainforest, identify flowers and berries along the Shorepine Bog, feel the expansive reach of Long Beach stretching towards a fiery sunset. As you watch sea lions playing in the crashing waves of storm season, you may find an innate sense of play bubble up. The spirit of exploration is alive and well on the West Coast. Plan for some time to wander, and wonder. Starting from the trails surrounding the Wickaninnish Inn to a hike up Lone Cone, the awesome perspectives of nature are endless. With Pacific Rim National Park, a jewel of Canada, as our neighbour, day trips to explore the dunes at Wickaninnish Beach or the power of water blasting at the Blowhole at Halfmoon Bay are easy and accessible. While you’ll likely see the majesty of eagles from the comfort of your room, daily whale and bear watching trips with onboard naturalists are available for wildlife sightings of a larger variety.
West Coast Culinary
- With a buttery, hot-from-the-oven croissant in one hand, and a locally-roasted coffee in the other, breakfast is just the beginning of your day, and the culinary delights that await you here. While we love hosting you at The Pointe Restaurant, Driftwood Café and On the Rocks Bar, we also encourage you to seek out some of the fantastic establishments in our community. Fantastic charcuterie spreads, lemon-baked halibut, pulled-pork tacos, spicy ramen bowls and the best seafood chowder you’ve ever had are just some of the options for your forest feasts and seaside dinners. From fresh-caught prawns to house-baked breads, Tofino’s culinary scene is a not-so-secret enigma that punches far above expectations. Here, talented chefs mix with local harvesters to showcase the bounty of the land and sea at its finest and most delicious. There’s plenty of variety to satiate your appetite. Start your day at Tofino Coffee Co. for a specialty espresso, Rhino Coffee House for an offbeat or classic donut, or join us at The Pointe Restaurant for a decadent weekend brunch. If you’re lucky to be here during the Tofino Public Market season (late spring to early autumn), the Village Green hosts a variety of local vendors on Saturday mornings.
Wellness & Relaxation
- Find stillness, find movement, find your rhythm. There’s nothing like immersing yourself in nature to inspire a reconnection with what balance is right for you. Breathe deeply. Exhilarating activities, nourishing cuisine, mindful meditation or sumptuous self-care treatments will help replenish and restore your natural state of well being. Exposure to the sights and sounds of nature—something we have in unlimited supply—are proven to have a deep impact and ripple effect in improving one’s life quality. Perhaps simply being in this place and taking time to be present is what you seek. For more curated forms of wellness activities, there are plenty of options to choose from. Our award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa offers a variety of treatments inspired by the rainforest and the coast. You can choose a singular offering, or allow our highly-skilled practitioners to guide you through a thematic treatment. Get your circulation moving with vigorous movement in our Fitness Centre [temporarily closed]; adjust and align with a private yoga class at the spa, or attend a community class in town.
Family
- With their insatiable curiosity, kids are among the best sidekicks to have when exploring the West Coast. From piling sand into creative beach art to wondering at the simple, otherworldly beauty of sea urchins, they have a keen eye for wonder. Of course, an inquisitive nature doesn’t have an age limit, and the young at heart also thrive here! Kids to centenarians will find common ground on a West Coast vacation. Spend the days exploring tide pool ecosystems, building towering sandcastles, enjoying beachside picnics and discovering the wonderful link between learning and playing. Surf shops offer equipment for all sizes of wave enthusiasts, as do daily fishing charters. Wildlife excursions—whale and bear watching—can take large groups out on the water; and park tours, guided by naturalists, are available for fewer people. Get hands-on at the touch tank in the Ucluelet Aquarium, a catch-and-release facility showcasing the biodiversity of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds.
This is a small, exclusive resort, so book early to avoid disappointment. We are also limiting attendance at this CME. There are a limited number of rooms in each category.
Wickaninnish Inn is entirely non-smoking. This includes guestrooms as well as guestroom balconies. There are limited outdoor smoking areas.
