Storm Watching
Vancouver Island, British Columbia,
Canada
Storm watching on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada is one of the more unique winter activities enjoyed on the west coast. Watching storms can be very relaxing or be very thrilling. It all depends on your perspective and viewpoint.
Some storm watch walking misty beaches covered in rain gear - up front and personal with storms. Others prefer to stay dry, and bundle up in a chair in front of a big window and watch the storms in comfort.
Regardless of how you prefer to watch storms they are captivating. West coast storms provide some great viewing of monster waves, powerful undertows, crashing surf, bubbling white water and flying driftwood logs.
Storm watching is most popular on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The west coast is exposed to the winds and waves of the biggest storms coming in off the Pacific Ocean. The east coast of Vancouver Island, the inner passage, is protected from the storms.
The communities of Tofino and Ucluelet in the Pacific Rim are the communities most exposed to a west coast storm. Dotting the coastline are high end beach resorts, bed and breakfasts, vacation homes and cabin resorts providing storm watching front row seats.
Many of the same waterfront resorts provide visitors rain gear, rubber boots and umbrellas so they can walk some of the better sandy beaches during a storm. It is an opportunity to see nature up close while walking through the mist.
