The perfect convergence of land, sea, and simple pleasures

Only Pacific Sands Beach Resort can take you this close to spectacular Cox Bay on Vancouver Island. Come spend some time on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park, just a short scenic drive from Long Beach and the charming, seaside village of Tofino.

Nestled in old-growth forests and powered by the melodic sound of the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Sands Beach Resort offers a range of beachfront and ocean view accommodations, steps from Canada’s #1 surf beach. From spring/summer whale watching and winter storm watching to all-season hiking and beachcombing, take your pick of year-round adventures and activities.

Our History

Family First: The history of Pacific Sands Beach Resort

In 1972, Bill Pettinger—a real estate developing visionary, risk taker, and lover of the land—found his next bet when his brother Barry called about an ad for a motel in Tofino, British Columbia. Which at the time, was a little-known area on the west coast of Vancouver Island. They ventured out on the majestic drive, and six hair-raising hours later (now far less, and smoother) they laid eyes on Pacific Paradise Motel and breathtaking Cox Bay for the very first time. The rest is—as they say—history. They bought the property in 1973, renamed it Pacific Sands Beach Resort, and the Pettinger family rolled up their sleeves and lovingly grew the Resort to 77 beach houses and suites.

New Perspective

In 2015—after almost 42 years of friends, family, and legendary stories—the Pettingers passed ownership to Gordon Nelson Inc. (now solely owned by Nelson Investments Inc.), another family-run resort operator. With a vision for ‘staged development’ that embraces Tofino’s unique setting, the new team looks forward to carrying on the Resort’s rich legacy, greeting the many loyal guests who come back year after year, and helping to create new generations of memories and stories.

Eco-Partners + Projects

Surfrider Pacific Rim

With a mission to “protect and enjoy the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people,” we proudly support Surfrider Pacific Rim‘s campaigns and programs, including Hold On To Your Butt cigarette recycling canisters throughout the Resort, and Love Your Beach Clean community clean-up events as well as our onsite Marine Debris Bin.

Coastal Restoration Society

Supporting the resource management and environmental stewardship goals of First Nations, Provincial, and Federal Governments, Pacific Sands periodically helps the Coastal Restoration Society with Clayoquot Sound clean-up efforts, including gathering debris from docks, float homes, and derelict boats.

Raincoast Education Society

From full-scale UNESCO Biosphere Reserve projects to Summer Kids Camps right here at Pacific Sands, the mandate of the Raincoast Education Society is to protect shorelines, wildlife, and sustainable living. This future-focussed group specializes in youth and adult education via a broad range of high-quality educational and interpretive programs such as field school, a speaker series, summer camps, school programs, and events focused on the natural environment, cultures, and communities of the Clayoquot and Barkley Sound region.

Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks

With a goal to uphold the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations’ relationship and responsibilities to its homeland—including guiding, balancing, and informing newcomers and tourists—Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks restore rivers impacted by logging, revitalize salmon habitats, remediate dune-grass habitats, maintain trails, and more. Ask our Guest Services Team about donating 1% of your total stay towards an Ecosystem Service Fee focussed on reinvesting in the people and ecology that comprise Tofino lands or donate directly on the Tribal Parks website.