10 Reasons to Stay at Pacific Sands Beach Resort in Tofino

If you are looking to get away from it all, Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino is the place for you. This beautiful resort offers a range of amenities and activities that will keep your whole family happy.

We love how Pacific Sands Beach Resort has everything we need on-site; surf rentals, bike rentals, kids club – these are just some of the reasons we visit this unique spot year after year. So, if you are considering traveling to Pacific Sands Beach Resort in Tofino, read on because we have ten reasons why you should do so!

Where is Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino

Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino is located on Cox Bay Beach, making it an ideal location for exploring some of Vancouver Island’s most beautiful scenery, beaches, and parks. 

Pacific Rim National Park is just a few minutes away on Pacific Rim Hwy and is accessible using the brand new multi-use path connecting Tofino with Ucluelet. 

How to Get to Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino

Getting to Tofino, British Columbia, is part of the fun. It’s not an easy task but it is very enjoyable regardless of how you decide to get there.

• You can fly from Vancouver’s south terminal on Pacific Coastal Airlines to Tofino, or you can fly into Tofino Harbour on Harbour Air.
• If you are driving from Vancouver, you will need to take a ferry aboard BC Ferries. You have two options of departure and arrival terminals. You can leave from Horseshoe Bay Terminal in West Vancouver and arrive at Departure Bay in Nanaimo. Or you can depart from Tsawwassen Terminal south of Vancouver, close to the border, and arrive at Duke Point, which is 15 minutes south of Nanaimo.
• Tofino Bus Island Express provides daily transportation to Tofino, Ucluelet and Port Alberni from Parksville, Nanaimo, Vancouver and Victoria. 

10 Reasons to Visit Pacific Sands Beach Resort in Tofino

Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino is an incredible resort that we return to year after year, usually twice or sometimes three times in a calendar year! The amenities and activities that we love include:

1) The Location

Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino is situated right on Cox Bay Beach and is a beautiful part of the world. Being so close to nature helps us relax and disconnect from our hectic lives back home. We love that we can enjoy dinner or sunset drinks with an incredible view out over the ocean.

We don’t need to drive anywhere to go surfing; we can just walk out our room door and onto the beach. Pacific Sands Beach Resort is located a quick drive away from the town of Tofino, so if you feel like exploring downtown, you can do so easily. 

In addition, Pacific Sands Tofino is located on a multi-use path, so you can hop on bikes and head to the town of Tofino instead of driving.

We love that we don’t need to leave the resort for many of our activities and amenities, but there is plenty nearby if we want something different.

2) The Accommodation Options

We have stayed in almost all of the different accommodation options offered by Pacific Sands Beach Resort and have enjoyed them all for various reasons. 

There are luxurious beach houses, one or two-bedroom Cottage style accommodations with fireplaces, and kitchens – perfect for cooking up some delicious seafood with panoramic ocean views. 

There are the new modern oceanside units or the Signature Suites with hot tubs and spacious decks overlooking the ocean so you can watch whales play while having your morning coffee. 

The accommodation options at Pacific Sands Tofino are almost overwhelming with so many choices, but we will break it down for you:

Beachfront Suites

Tofino is all about the beach, and these spacious suites get you so close to Cox Bay that it sounds like waves are crashing right in front of you.

The Beachfront Suites located at Pacific Sands Tofino are right on the shore of Cox Bay. These suites have been renovated and offer the modern decor with a splash of beachy flair to give you that pacific northwest feel.

They come complete with a full kitchen, flat-screen TV, gas fireplace, and king-sized bed for the ultimate comfort. The pull-out couch in the living room allows up to 4 people and is the closest to surf-in/surf-out at Pacific Sands Beach Resort.

The Beach Houses

Without a doubt, The Beach Houses are your best option for luxury accommodations at Pacific Sands Tofino. With 12-foot ceilings and spacious floor plans that include expansive views from every room – it’ll be hard not to find one with which you wish all other hotels could compare. 

The Beach Houses are a little more secluded than the rest of the accommodation options, giving you a little extra privacy during your vacation.

12 foot high ceilings make these vacation getaways feel more like home than any hotel I’ve ever seen before, and the master bedroom offers panoramic views of the ocean that are worth braving any storm for. 

The Beach Houses come complete with a full kitchen, gas fireplaces, and a private deck. There are two and three-bedroom options that sleep up to 8 people.

The Signature Suites with Hot Tubs

These are my favorite accommodation options at Pacific Sands Beach Resort – they offer expansive ocean views and large, private decks with a hot tub to warm up in after being in the waves of the cold Pacific Ocean.

For those who love to relax in a hot tub or just want some time alone with the ocean and their thoughts – these suites are perfect. These are the Signature Suite units available at Pacific Sands Beach Resort:

• COX BAY / SUNSET POINT SUITES (SLEEPS 2)
• PACIFIC BEACH HOUSE (SLEEPS 6)
• SAND DOLLAR SUITE (SLEEPS 6)
• THE COVE (SLEEPS 6)
• EDGEWATER SUITE (SLEEPS 6)

The Sand Dollar Suite

Oceanside Suites

The beach is calling your name, and you can’t resist. The Oceanside Suites are Pacific Sand’s newest accommodations and the floorplans make use of every square inch. There is even a Surf Pavilion for gear storage and outdoor showers to make it easy to go from surfing to relaxing.

There are one, two, and three-bedroom options in the Oceanside suites, and they all come complete with a full kitchen and fireplace. However, it is essential to note that the one-bedroom oceanside units do not have an ocean view; instead, they have garden views.

Lighthouse Suites

Enjoy your private beachside sanctuary with sweeping views of spectacular Cox Bay from the lighthouse suite. You can relax by the fireplace or take in some waves while sitting out on those cute little patios.

The perfect escape for up to four people looking to get away but still have easy access, these coastal-chic suites come complete with cozy accommodations and all sorts of luxuries imaginable.

The Lighthouse Suites are the only suites at Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino that we have not personally stayed in. Although we have admired them from afar, we prefer the more extensive accommodation options.

Lodge Suites

Step into the Tofino lodge-style comforts of these oceanfront vacation accommodations. Your private patio or deck offers you breathtaking views that will inspire morning coffee breaks and sunset cocktails.

The Lodge Suites come in many configurations:

• OCEAN VIEW LODGE STUDIO SUITE (SLEEPS 2)
• OCEAN FRONT LODGE STUDIO SUITE (SLEEPS 2)
• ONE-BEDROOM OCEAN VIEW LODGE SUITE (SLEEPS 4)
• TWO-BEDROOM OCEAN VIEW LODGE SUITE (SLEEPS 6)

We personally love the configuration of the two-bedroom oceanview Lodge Suite. The second bedroom with two queen-sized beds makes it ideal for traveling with kids to have their own space. And the view from the deck is the perfect spot for parents to relax when kids are asleep!

Sunset House at Rosie Bay

The Sunset House at Pacific Sands Beach Resort is the ultimate in Tofino accommodation. This beautiful three-bedroom vacation rental home is the perfect place to enjoy your time in Tofino. 

You’ll love exploring its luxurious interior and outdoor spaces, taking advantage of all that it has on offer, like stunning ocean views and Tofino sunsets.

The Sunset House comes complete with a six-person hot tub and outdoor fire pit. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sun go down.

If you are looking for luxury Tofino accommodation, this is it. The Sunset House at Rosie Bay Pacific Sands Beach Resort would be our top pick if we looked for somewhere more spacious to base ourselves in Tofino.

3) The Surf Shack

Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino is the perfect location for surfing, with its beaches and conditions being ideal for beginners to advanced-level surfers alike. In addition, Pacific Sands has partnered up with Surf Sister to provide guests at their resort with surf rentals and lessons without leaving the resort.

Every August, after getting settled into our suite, the first place we head to is Surf Sister, located right next to Wildside Grill. We rent wetsuits and surfboards for our boys to use for the week.

We have found it is the most convenient and economical way to get our boys out into the waves quickly and easily. It can be a hassle driving to the local surf shop in August and waiting in line to rent surf gear, so having this option right at Pacific Sands Beach Resort is fantastic.

4) The Kids Club

5) Massage Therapy

This is a new amenity that is offered to guests at Pacific Sands Beach Resort. The resort does not run it, but it is located in the Oceanside building, and I have to say that the massage services are hands down the best I have ever had.

The massage therapists are all registered and insured professionals. It is a great way to end your day after spending the afternoon exploring Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino or going surfing at Cox Bay. 

Or start your day with the ultimate in relaxation, with a massage, and spend the remainder of your day in total bliss.

6) Surfside Grill

Pacific Sands Beach Resort has a great restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Surfside Grill is located right in between the Surf Shack and where bike rentals are offered. It is very convenient for guests at Pacific Sands Beach Resort and great for people visiting from outside of the resort.

Surfside Grill offers fresh seafood tacos and delicious burgers, and we usually grab dinner there on our first night after arriving. The last thing we feel like doing after a long travel day to Tofino is cooking, and it is so convenient having an on-site restaurant that is open every day.

You may be surprised to know Tofino has a thriving food scene and plenty of restaurants if you plan to venture out into the quaint seaside town. 

7) Beach Toys

Packing for a beach vacation is so much easier when you don’t have to pack beach toys! Pacific Sands Beach Resort has beach toys for guest use, including buckets, shovels, boogie boards, volleyballs, soccers balls, and so much more.

My boys could spend days digging on the beach, and I appreciate having the selection of beach toys for the boys to choose from. Because as every parent knows, someone else’s toys are always more exciting.

8) Pet-Friendly Resort

Pacific Sands Beach Resort is a pet-friendly resort. They have gone all out for this amenity, and it shows in the extras offered to guests with pets staying at their property.

Pacific Sands Resort is the perfect place to take your furry friends on vacation. You can enjoy all of their favorite amenities, including dog dishes, treats, and pet towels for your pup’s arrival. In addition, there are pet wash stations and biodegradable bags for easy cleanup.

Dogs must be leashed at all times on the property. We love bringing our Samoyed on vacation with us to Tofino, and she would spend the entire time on the beach chasing birds if we let her!

9) Bike Rentals

Bike rentals are a great way to take in Tofino, and Pacific Sands Beach Resort offers guests bikes for rent right from their resort. Bikes can be rented at the Bike Shack located between Surfside Grill and the check-in building.

Every time we visit, one activity we like to do is to bike along the multi-use path located alongside the highway which can be accessed from the entrance to the resort. 

We bike from Pacific Sands Beach Resort to Chocolate Tofino and back. It is a leisurely bike ride, and if you are feeling adventurous, you could easily bike along the path all the way to the town of Tofino.

10) The Hiking Trails

There are some pretty amazing hiking trails that are accessible right from Pacific Sands Beach Resort. There is the Cox Bay Lookout Trail and the Pettinger Point Trail. 

The Cox Bay Lookout Trail entrance is located at the south end of Cox Bay Beach and offers a stunning view over the beach and resort.

The Pettinger Point Trail entrance is located at the north end of the property and is the perfect hike to do at sunset. 

The first part of the trail is a boardwalk with commemorative boards from past guests and leads out to the rocks over Rosie Bay. You will find many people sitting on the rocks at sunset, enjoying the view. 

Of course, beach walks are a favorite, as you can just walk out the door of your suite and enjoy a leisurely walk on the firm sand of Cox Bay Beach. 

You can also walk along the multi-use path located at the entrance to the resort and walk towards Tofino or the other way towards Ucluelet. The options are endless!

Amenities at Pacific Sands Beach Resort

There are many amenities at Pacific Sands Beach Resort. The following is a list of amenities that we have personally experienced and can vouch for:

• Kids Club
• Surf Rentals and Lessons on Site with Surf Sister
• Bike Rentals
• Surfside Grill on-site Restaurant
• Yoga
• Massage Therapy
• Grocery Staples
• Beach Toys
• Laundry Facilities
• DVD Movie Library
• Outdoor fire pits
• Tesla and EV chargers

What is the best time of year to go to Tofino

The weather in Tofino is relatively mild throughout the year, with winters that are perfect for storm watching and summers that are perfect for surfing.

The busiest months of the year in Tofino are July and August, and accommodations are often booked up, so if you plan to visit during those months, make sure to book early. There are some wonderful campgrounds in Tofino if you wish to go more on the rugged route for your vacation. 

Late spring offers some wonderful sunshine in Tofino, and fall is mild but beautiful with all of the changing colors.

How many days should I spend at Pacific Sands Beach Resort Tofino?

In my opinion, five days at Pacific Sands Tofino is the ideal amount of time. There is so much to see and do in Tofino, and after the effort made to get there, you don’t want to turn around and go home too quickly. 

You can easily spend just three days, but in order to tackle the best things to do in Tofino, we highly recommend spending five days there.

We hope you enjoyed our blog post about Pacific Sands Beach Resort in Tofino. For all of these reasons, we’re sure that this is the perfect place for your next vacation! 

So, if you are looking to get away from it all and want a relaxing retreat with plenty of activities on-site, then head over to Pacific Sands Beach Resort today. 

And don’t forget to bring along family members because everyone will find something they love at this beautiful beach resort on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast.