Whether you like a plush down comforter or prefer to pitch a tent, Wya Point Resort has a little something for every style of camper. During a trip to Vancouver Island’s coastal towns for storm watching, I stayed in one of the resort’s new beam and post cabins nearby the town of Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park. What’s especially interesting about Wya Point is that it was originally an Ucluelet First Nation village site. And it remains a Ucluelet (Yu-klew-ith-aht) property, owned and operated by the tribe.
The two-story lodges can sleep up to four people and come fully equipped with a modern kitchen and fireplace. My favorite feature was the ocean view (and the comfy bed and down comforter. Yes, I am more of a glamper type). At night, I’d leave the window open just a crack to hear the crashing waves as I fell asleep. In the morning, I’d make myself coffee and sit out on the porch to savor the silence and stare out at the Pacific Ocean framed with dense, coastal rainforest and pink-hued skies.
Many of the yurts are located on the coast as well, with beach access. In the yurts, the beds are less lux than the lodges. They’re more like cots. And, there’s plenty of campground space for RVS and tents.
Wya Point’s lodges and yurts provide an ideal setting for a yoga retreat. Or, the large beam and post cabins (in photo below) that can sleep up to six are ideal for a family trip or girls’ getaway.
The only caveat is you have to pack in your own food. Currently, there isn’t a restaurant onsite, although Wya Point can arrange for a local chef to prepare a gourmet meal. Also, down the road at the Kwisitis visitor center, the tribe’s Kwisitis Feast House restaurant with epic ocean views is ideal for a romantic, sunset dinner.
Surfing
I don’t surf in California because the water is too cold. However, Wya Point Surf Shop offers a cool—literally and figuratively—surf class with Wya Point manager and tribesman Tyson Touchie. The day I went it was so cold, the boards were frosted over. “I’ve never seen that before,” exclaimed Touchie.
Uh oh. Luckily, they have top-notch gear to keep you as warm as possible, from thick wet suits to booties to hoodies. And, as Touchie promised, it’s actually warmer in the water. After a lesson on the sand about paddling and standing techniques, Touchie took our all-female group out with two other surf instructors. The waves were perfectly tame for a beginner like me.
With Wya Point Surf shop instructors giving tips and encouraging words, I actually stood up on the board! It was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it—even if you’ve never surfed before.
Wya Point Resort, Willowbrae Rd, Ucluelet, V0R 3A0, Canada; 250-726-2625
