Meares Island Big Tree Trail
What it actually looks like
What the children do
A one and a half hour trip in total: a ten minute open Zodiac water taxi ride through the harbour islands to Meares Island in the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park, a walk on a handcrafted boardwalk among old growth trees up to 1600 years old, and the ride back to the boathouse. Adults pay $35 and children pay $25, plus 5% GST, a $5 trail fee for the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Society and $1.50 for research and education. The site says a medium level of fitness is needed and that the boardwalk, though rustic in its building design, is a short walk. Departure times are given by phone and this tour is booked by contacting them rather than online.
Ride ten minutes in an open Zodiac wearing a life jacket, land on Meares Island and walk a rustic wooden boardwalk in among giant cedar, spruce and hemlock with salal, moss and ferns underneath, then ride back.
Good to know
The boathouse has restrooms, a dress-in area and hot drinks afterwards, and car parking is free. There are no washrooms on the trail, and lunch space, bus parking and what happens in heavy rain are not stated, so it is worth a call.
Getting there
51 Wharf St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0