Our Commitment to You
We are hospitality operators, storytellers, and service experts, but most importantly, we are a team that’s inspired by a shared love for Tofino and a commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience.
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.
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 Investment 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.
