By Erin Linn McMullan

Craving adventure this spring? When every moment you spend present in Nature amplifies time, active weekends on the west coast are extended play.

Kayaking adventures

In April, Clayoquot Sound is alive with abundant marine life after the herring spawn and whale migration and with the advent of spring points out avid paddler, Sam Cutcliffe, Paddle West Kayaking’s Communications Manager.

It can feel like an otherworldly experience to encounter a sleek pod of hicswin (Pacific harbour porpoises)[1]. You hear them before you see them: expelling their breath in a percussive rhythm up a quiet inlet amidst the rainforest. April can be a “pretty porpoisey time” says Sam, admitting they’re his favourite thing to see. You won’t spot their neonates and calves until later from May through August.

“Definitely, my highlight of spring is always how dependable the porpoises are just in the mouth of Lemmens Inlet on the way to the Rainforest or on an Islands Tour.”

In spring, Paddle West offers four Tofino day trips from a few hours for beginners to intermediate six-hour paddles to whet your appetite for longer multi-day tours.

For people coming from a big city like Toronto or Vancouver, kayaking into Clayoquot Sound can be life-changing, especially visiting the Big Tree Trail on Wanačis-Hiɫthuuʔis (Meares Island), he effuses.

“What’s incredible about doing a paddling tour to Big Tree Trail – the highlight of the Rainforest Tour – is that you have a guide with you on the trail for a more immersive holistic experience,” says Sam, explaining that they can talk about the ecology and age the trees.

“There’s so much history on the Big Tree Trail with the War in the Woods and the ongoing stewardship of the Tla-o-qui-aht People and the Guardians program. The reason it still exists and the trees are alive is because of the Tla-o-qui-aht. It really is a privilege but also a responsibility to be able to share that with our guests.”

As ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Tribal Parks Allies, the kayaking company’s guides have both extensive training on the water as well as with knowledge interpretation direct from the Nation via a representative from ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Tribal Parks. 

“Tla-o-qui-aht is always pleased to help orientate and train guides in the Region,” says Saya Masso, Natural Resources Manager, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. “It helps ensure that the guides have access to the best presentation of local histories and for them to learn how local Indigenous Protected Conservation Areas were established.”

Planning a full day trip depends on the tides advises Sam. With the mudflats more accessible at high tide, the Lemmens Inlet Tour is more kayaking-focused within essentially a fjord protected on the east side of Wanačis-Hiɫthuuʔis within Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.

At low tide, Viva Las Vargas heads to Vargas Island in the Ahousaht haḥuułii either to a family-friendly white sand beach like Rassier Point with smaller swell or, if conditions are good and people are feeling more adventurous, to Medallion at the island’s southern tip, as well as tons of pocket beaches nearby to explore. “It’s definitely much more like sea kayaking in terms of experiencing the swell and feeling the power of the Pacific.”

At the ocean’s doorstep

When you stay at oceanfront Tin Wis Resort, an Original Original and Authentic Indigenous, the everchanging Pacific is waiting for you and our Allied partners are ready to help you embrace it respectfully.

Chasing waves

“April is great for rainbows and chasing sunshine and great waves!” says Catherine Bruhwiler at Allied Tofino Paddle Surf located beachfront at Tin Wis Resort.

She points out there are “still many great days at tinwis for surf and boogie boarding with the whole family or finding bigger waves at Cox Bay on the calmer days. Still some epic storm watching or sunshine hangouts at the beach and on the SUP.”

“You just never know what you’re gonna get in April – except guaranteed great waves!”

Refresh with a hydrotherapy circuit

Jordan Hanthorn, Allied Tuff City Saunas, points out there are so many reasons to love spring at the beachfront Nordic spa at tinwis. “One of my favourite things is watching the returning spring birds – all sorts from hummingbirds to shorebirds – from the front deck of the sauna! They come nibble at the budding trees and fly right through the developing spring forest canopies surrounding the sauna area! All of the budding bushes are always fun in anticipation of a new summer sun.”  

“Remembering the wholesome feeling of R&R following a rigorous day of outdoor pursuit is always worth recall!” says Jordan, explaining, “The way lactic acid moves out of sore muscles and endogenous endorphins like dopamine and serotonin recharge and reinvigorate your body is a sensation worth booking ahead for.”   

“If you’re a light sleeper – sunset sessions this time of year can soothe the ‘wet’ coast traveler into a deep lull of sleep recounting the raindrops on a tin sauna roof.” 

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[1] Pacific Harbour Porpoises are listed as a species of special concern in Canada and internationally: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/report-progress-recovery-document/pacific-harbour-porpoise-2025.html