Visiting Vancouver Island

It's another snow day for me today, so I thought I would go through some old images.  While doing so I came across a folder titled Vancouver Island and suddenly found myself immersed in this beautiful place once more.   I am fortunate to be able to visit so many beautiful places, but often time pressures or another visit to another place occur almost immediately after the trip and it's joys are pushed into the long term memory. 

There is so much to Vancouver Island that a week is a very short stay.  I have travelled extensively on the island, I've seen the tourist traps and the true wilderness of this incredible wildlife haven and the place I would return to in a heartbeat is Ucluelet.  Just 30 minutes south of Tofino (the tourists favourite) it is a beautiful quiet escape. 

My wife and I have spent many hours sitting at Amphitrite Point (see image below) where the little lighthouse will keep you company as you watch whales, sea otters and seals just a few feet from your toes.  The rock here stops abruptly and the drop off hidden beneath the pacific waves is huge. The depth so close to shore means whales can almost scrape the rocks here, and they often do.   

At Amphitrite Point you will also find the entrance to the 'Wild Pacific Trail' which is a lovely hike along the coast toward Tofino.  It takes you though tall oceanside forest and beside craggy rock pools all the way delivering stunning views from its numerous viewpoints.       

There are so many photographic opportunities on the island that a month long visit for photography would see you hurrying to and fro trying to get it all in before the trip comes to an end (believe me I know).  The island has literally everything, snow capped mountains, coastline, incredible diversity of wildlife, huge cedar forests, waterfalls, rivers, ocean, ornate gardens, idyllic harbours, small towns and bustling cities.   

If Vancouver Island isn't on your photographic radar, put it on there and make it a bucket list item.