Part two: Meet Josh Lewis, Long Beach Lodge Resort's marine adventures captain

Long Beach Lodge Resort marine adventures captain Josh Lewis knows the water, geography and wildlife of Tofino, Long Beach, the Esowista Peninsula and Clayoquot Sound.

Josh Lewis has had many adventures on the water, both guiding visitors and on his own. While he has observed orcas hunting and has even seen a blue whale, asked what the most unusual creature he has seen in the Pacific Rim National Park-adjacent waters, he does not hesitate:

“Probably the time I saw a Mola mola sunfish. The warm water currents drift them to Tofino. They are in search of a bloom of jellyfish which they eat.”

Commonly referred to as the “ocean sunfish,” the mola, is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. It has an average adult weight of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Native to tropical and temperate waters, it has a bizarre appearance, looking like a fish without a torso, or, a fish head with a tail. In actuality, the mola’s main body is flattened laterally and it can be as tall as it is long when their dorsal and ventral fins are extended.

“A visit to the West Coast is not complete without an adventure on the water,” says Long Beach Lodge Resort owner Tim Hackett.

Considering the unsubstantial, tissue-like body of the typical jellyfish, the mola’s diet is nutritionally poor and they must consume huge amounts of jellyfish to develop and maintain their great bulk. Adult sunfish are vulnerable to few natural predators, but sea lions, killer whales, and sharks will hunt them.

Josh says the arrival of Velella velella (scientific name) or “sail jellyfish” is also a spectacle to behold.

“They (velella) are bright-blue and arrive in enormous numbers off shore and on the beach,” adds Josh.

According to the U.K.’s Daily Mail, the “jelly-fish-like creatures each measure around seven to 10 centimetres, are bright blue and distinguished by a gas-filled float that rises above the surface of the water.” The velella use the float to move them through the water and their direction of travel depends entirely on the winds and the currents.
Leon Brocard   Tim Buss


Immersed in the picturesque tide and forest of Vancouver Island’s west coast, along with surfing, guiding and teaching, Josh has realized another passion: photography.

Gray whales, bears and eagles are captured in their natural setting. Many of the brilliant images that fill the Long Beach Lodge Resort blog and website come from Josh’s catalog.

Josh started working at Long Beach Lodge Resort in 2010 and after a trip to New Zealand. He initially taught surf lessons but with his photography skills, transitioned to shooting weddings and surfers. Known for his knack for memorializing initiate surfers’ first ride – no matter how brief – Josh continues to diversify, offering new, interesting perspective and passion to Resort visitors as Long Beach Lodge Resort marine adventures captain.

Tofino Sea Otter   The Blue Pearl


Piloting the Resort’s “Blue Pearl” (a nickname coined by staff for the vessel’s blue cabin) a 12-seat boat which features a heated cabin and full washroom facilities, Josh makes two excursions per day. Each trip lasts approximately 2.5 hours and is unique, customized to wildlife sightings, ocean conditions and guest interests.

“A visit to the West Coast is not complete without an adventure on the water,” says Long Beach Lodge Resort owner Tim Hackett.

Many visitors may add that an adventure on the water is not complete without the guiding expertise of captain Josh.



More Tofino 360 Stories