After a Starbucks breakfast and stocking up on food at Walmart (where the security guard asked us how we had liked dinner last night – he had also been at the restaurant), we drove towards Tofino in the pouring rain. The visitor centre can only be described as non-helpful. Furthermore, the idea of having to pay up to $200 a night for a campsite made us ask ourselves if we shouldn’t just head back.

A fellow traveller we had met in the Walmart parking lot had suggested we stay at the Crystal Cove Beach Resort. It was only $95/night for the last site and is right on the ocean. The rain stopped and the sun came out and we walked along the beach in full sunshine, meeting lots of dogs, including an adorable dachshund named “Dash”.

The sandy beach is lovely and the water is suitable for surfers – in wet suits. Our attempt at swimming there ended at the knees because the water was very cold although a few hardier souls did take the plunge.