Spring is a special time here in Tofino, and at the Lodge. We always look forward to May, with the longer, brighter days and the reopening of our beachfront SandBar Bistro, something our team and guests alike look forward to every year. Insiders know that May is a great time to visit. The season is fully underway, with restaurants and activities open and a relaxed pace that makes it easy to enjoy it all.
It’s also one of the best times for wildlife viewing. We’ve been seeing humpback whales returning to our waters, with plenty of spouts visible right from Cox Bay over the past few days. Bears are emerging along the inlets, and an incredible migration of shorebirds is stopping along the bay and nearby mudflats. It’s a reminder of how connected we are to the natural rhythms of this place. Last month, during the Whale Festival, our team took part in the Parade of Whales and Wonders. I’m happy to share a few photos from that fun community event, which is always worth experiencing during a March visit to Tofino.
We’ve recently completed renovations to our cottages, and I couldn’t be happier with how they’ve turned out. They’re even better than when they were first built, and we’re proud to continue investing in the guest experience. If you haven’t seen the video yet, it’s worth a look.
This week marks Earth Week, with many great initiatives happening throughout the community. We’re excited to partner with Tourism Tofino and Surfrider for a cleanup along the Multi-Use Path on April 22. With Tofino becoming the first municipality in Canada to prohibit the sale of single-use plastic water bottles, it’s another meaningful step toward protecting our coastline. At the Lodge, we’ve also made significant progress in reducing our water consumption. Last summer we dug a well, which now supplies water to the Surf Club, our cottage hot tubs, and most recently to our beachfront showers, helping us reduce our reliance on the District’s water supply.
With everything going on in the world, there’s something grounding about being here. Tofino has a way of making you feel a little removed from it all, in the best possible way. The tides still come and go, wildlife returns on schedule, and nature carries on. It’s a reassuring feeling, and one we’re always grateful to share.
We’d love to welcome you to the Lodge this spring.
Tim Hackett
