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Rough seas calming: Tin Wis, past, present, and future
Tin Wis is within Tla-o-qui-aht Ḥaaḥuułi and the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, and like the ancestral village site that existed here for tens of thousands of years, the 85-room beachfront hotel stands facing one of the oldest highways on earth – the ocean. Connected to this deeply storied place, Tin Wis Best Western Resort’s own evolution relies upon the resilience of the Tla-o-qui-aht people, ancestral land and identity, and the perseverance of Cultural Lifeways as well as the Indigenous laws which protect biological diversity.
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Pivot Point: Committing to Right Relationship with Indigenous Peoples
What does it mean to move beyond acknowledgement and toward meaningful action? For ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ ƛ̓iiʔiik (Tsimka Martin) and Jeanette Sheehy, that question became the starting point for Pathways from Settler Colonialism to Right Relationship and Indigenous Sovereignty, a workshop created to help participants deepen their understanding of settler colonialism, Indigenous sovereignty, and their own responsibilities to the lands and communities where they live and visit. Grounded in ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ wisdom and storytelling, the workshop creates space for difficult questions, honest reflection, and, importantly, tangible action. As Tourism Tofino prepares to host sessions this fall, we spoke with Tsimka and Jeanette about the friendship and conversations that inspired the workshop, the importance of moving from gratitude to reciprocity, and what it can look like to commit to Right Relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
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5 EXHILARATING WAYS TO EXPERIENCE BIOLUMINESCENCE
Late summer brings some of the best opportunities to experience bioluminescence in Tofino, when microscopic organisms in the water illuminate with flashes of bluish-green light as waves break, paddles dip, and marine life moves beneath the surface. From wading into the calm waters at tinwis to paddling beneath the night sky, kayaking across the harbour, or pairing a late sauna with a glowing Pacific plunge, there are plenty of ways to experience this remarkable natural phenomenon. Here are five exhilarating ways to seek out the magic of bioluminescence in n̓ačiqs (Tofino) this August and September.
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Lean into the magic of Fogust
August on Vancouver Island brings something special. Locally known as "Fogust," this time of year transforms the coast into a landscape of misty mornings, quiet beaches, lush rainforests, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Whether you're exploring tide pools, discovering Indigenous-led experiences, hiking scenic trails, or simply slowing down beside the ocean, there's no shortage of ways to experience the beauty of the West Coast. Here are some of our favourite ways to embrace Fogust while staying at Tin Wis Resort.
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5 MARINE CREATURES TO WATCH FOR
The waters surrounding Tofino are home to an incredible diversity of marine life, shaped by healthy kelp forests, rich coastal ecosystems, and the stewardship of the nuučaanuł Peoples since time immemorial. Whether you're exploring by kayak, joining an Indigenous-led wildlife tour, or simply watching the ocean from shore, every encounter offers a deeper appreciation for this remarkable place. Here are five fascinating marine creatures to keep an eye out for during your visit to Tla-o-qui-aht territory.
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EMBRACE THE OCEAN
The Pacific Ocean shapes every part of life on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It has sustained nuučaanuł Peoples since time immemorial and continues to inspire connection, adventure, wellness, and stewardship today. At Tin Wis Resort, the ocean is more than the view from your room, it is at the heart of every experience. Whether you're paddling through Clayoquot Sound, practicing SUP yoga at sunrise, embracing hydrotherapy beside the waves, or learning about the deep relationship between the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ People and these waters, every moment offers an opportunity to connect more deeply with this place. This month, we're inviting you to embrace the ocean through the voices of our Tribal Parks Allies and local partners, while discovering how Indigenous stewardship continues to shape the experiences that make Tofino so extraordinary.
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5 ECO-BEACH ADVENTURES
With warmer ocean breezes, longer days, and the return of spring abundance along the coast, May is the perfect time to reconnect with the beaches of ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Territory. These life-giving shorelines are more than beautiful places to explore, they are living ecosystems shaped by thousands of years of stewardship, story, and relationship to land and water. From low tide discoveries and whale watching to surfing, birding, and stargazing, these eco-adventures invite visitors to experience the coast through a deeper lens of connection and respect. Along the way, we also invite you to learn the nuučaan̓uł names and meanings tied to these places, reminders that every beach holds its own story, identity, and significance. As you explore, we encourage you to travel through the principle of ʔiisaak: respect for the land, waters, wildlife, and one another.
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Life-giving Beaches
Along the shores of Tla-o-qui-aht Territory, every beach holds a name, a story, and a responsibility. These are not just places to visit, but living, life-giving spaces that have been known, cared for, and spoken about in nuučaan̓uł language since time immemorial. From tinwis, meaning “calm waters”, to the many beaches that stretch along this coastline, each name reflects a deep relationship to land and ocean. They are descriptive, rooted in observation, and connected to the rhythms of life that exist here. Through the shared knowledge of Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Gisele Martin, and guided by the principle of ʔiisaak (respect), this blog invites you to understand these places not just by where they are, but by what they mean, and how we can all take part in caring for them.
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5 ACTIVE WEEKEND ADVENTURES
Spring on the west coast invites you to slow down and lean in. In načiqs (Tofino), April is a season of renewal, where the rainforest hums with new life and the ocean shifts with energy after the herring spawn. It’s a time when every moment outdoors feels expanded, shaped by the rhythm of the tides, the return of wildlife, and the feeling of fresh air on your skin. From paddling through the sheltered inlets of Clayoquot Sound to chasing waves along the shoreline at tinwis Beach, spring weekends here are about more than just activity, they’re about connection. Connection to the land, to the water, and to the stories that continue to shape this place. Whether you’re seeking adventure, restoration, or a bit of both, here are a few ways to make the most of an extended spring weekend on the west coast.
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Extended play April weekends
Spring in Tofino has a way of stretching time. The air feels fresher, the ocean more alive, and every moment spent outside feels just a little more expansive. April, in particular, offers a kind of quiet magic, fewer crowds, ever-changing skies, and a landscape waking up after winter. From paddling through the still waters of Clayoquot Sound to catching waves along Tin Wis Beach, this is a season for slowing down and leaning into the experience. Whether you’re here for adventure, connection, or a bit of both, spring invites you to explore with intention, and discover just how much can happen in a single weekend.
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5 FAVOURITE WEST COAST WHALE WATCHING SPOTS
Each spring, the west coast comes alive with one of nature’s most remarkable journeys, the return of ḿaaʔak (Eastern North Pacific Grey whales) to the waters of Clayoquot Sound. Their migration north marks the beginning of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, a beloved community celebration that brings together locals and visitors to honour these incredible beings and the vibrant marine ecosystem they depend on. To help visitors experience the magic of whale season, Pacific Rim Whale Festival Director Sarah Watt shares five of her favourite whale watching spots along the coast. From peaceful shorelines where you might spot a spout on the horizon to breathtaking locations out on the water, these places offer unforgettable opportunities to witness whales in their natural habitat while connecting with the lands and waters of Nuučaanuł territory.
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