Schooner Cove
Schooner Cove
4.5
About
Considered by many to be one of the best boardwalk hikes around, you will be immersed in the natural serenity of the temperate rainforest. You can take the easy stairs to the beach, where you can gaze at the gentle waves crashing in. During low tide, an inviting passage presents itself so you can make your way to a small island where you may find bald eagles soaring above. Schooners Cove is nothing less than invigorating and rejuvinating. Truly a picturesque adventure.
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4.5
388 reviews
Excellent
291
Very good
86
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Deniseka
Santa Monica, CA191 contributions
Mar 2019
This walk is really beautiful and easy. When you get to the beach it’s really lovely as it’s expansive. There are so many interesting things to see in the sand and along the shore. A must do when you’re in Tofino.
Written 14 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lis M
Burnaby, Canada52 contributions
June 2017 • Solo
I don't understand how this place isn't the #1 area to see in Tofino!!! the hike is a bit long and on lower tides, the beach is quite large. But once you reach the beach, there are rocks worth climbing to catch the most beautiful scenery I've seen in the island so far!!! I suppose people don't talk a lot about this place to keep people out, and wow! I would too, except it's too beautiful to miss!
Written 3 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rick m
Kailua, HI44 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
pay your parking; it helps with the maintenance and creation of a great boardwalk through the rain forest to this secluded beach and plan on low tide to maximize your time once you are there.
Written 21 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DanK812
Nelson, Canada51 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Interesting short 1 km hike along a boardwalk thru the rain forest to get to the beach.
NOT the hike if you are weak-kneed or have trouble with stairs; Go to the Long Beach parking lot and take a shorter flat walk to the beach.
Once at the beach hike another km to your right around the point to Schooner Cove. Great quiet spot, as most people go to the left onto the north end of Long Beach (which lives up to it's name); But Schooner Cove (hiking to the right on the beach) brings you to lots of waves breaking on the rocks and quiet open beach. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the sun, sand and surf.
NOT the hike if you are weak-kneed or have trouble with stairs; Go to the Long Beach parking lot and take a shorter flat walk to the beach.
Once at the beach hike another km to your right around the point to Schooner Cove. Great quiet spot, as most people go to the left onto the north end of Long Beach (which lives up to it's name); But Schooner Cove (hiking to the right on the beach) brings you to lots of waves breaking on the rocks and quiet open beach. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the sun, sand and surf.
Written 7 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith B
Rancho Cucamonga, CA54 contributions
July 2018 • Couples
Short walk (1k) through the forest along a well maintained boardwalk trail.
Easy hike, with some stairs.
Well worth the stop
Make sure to get your park pass before you set out. Pass available at all trail heads and the information center for Pacific Rim National park. $7ca
Schooner Cove is yet another beautiful vista , of many, many, many! on Vancouver Island.
We stayed for a while watching Bald Eagles and enjoying the view and weather
Definitely an enjoyable hike and beach.
A must do
Easy hike, with some stairs.
Well worth the stop
Make sure to get your park pass before you set out. Pass available at all trail heads and the information center for Pacific Rim National park. $7ca
Schooner Cove is yet another beautiful vista , of many, many, many! on Vancouver Island.
We stayed for a while watching Bald Eagles and enjoying the view and weather
Definitely an enjoyable hike and beach.
A must do
Written 24 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helene B
Vancouver, Canada8 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
Ordered the 52 dollar 1 pound crab. Got 6 crab legs. Less then 1 pound. The meat is in the shell but it wasn't served. Expecting a lot more when ordering a meal for 52 dollar.
Written 24 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alyska
36 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Certainly one of my favorite trails in the Pacific Rim National Park. There's ample parking in a lot at the beginning of the trail.
It's about 2km of dirt trails, boardwalk, and stairs in and out a couple of ravines overall, which can bet a bit slippery when wet (which is most of the time.) You'll also need to climb over some rather large driftwood logs when you reach the beach at the end of the trail, which is on the far north end of Long Beach. The trail can be a bit narrow, especially when it's busy, so plan accordingly.
There are many old-growth trees (many with exposed roots,) in addition to moss, lichen and other epiphytes to look for. And ever the banana slugs!
Once you arrive at the beach, if you time your visit for low tide, you can walk right out to some of the islands and also see all *sorts* of interesting life in the intertidal zone -- mussels, clans, anemone, even sea stars and the occasional urchin!
For the history buffs, the cove's name is a reference to the Carelmapu, a three-masted Chilean cargo ship that got caught in a violent squall in late November 1915 that slammed it onto the rocks at Long Beach. Of the 24 crew on board, only five men and the ship's dog survived.
It's about 2km of dirt trails, boardwalk, and stairs in and out a couple of ravines overall, which can bet a bit slippery when wet (which is most of the time.) You'll also need to climb over some rather large driftwood logs when you reach the beach at the end of the trail, which is on the far north end of Long Beach. The trail can be a bit narrow, especially when it's busy, so plan accordingly.
There are many old-growth trees (many with exposed roots,) in addition to moss, lichen and other epiphytes to look for. And ever the banana slugs!
Once you arrive at the beach, if you time your visit for low tide, you can walk right out to some of the islands and also see all *sorts* of interesting life in the intertidal zone -- mussels, clans, anemone, even sea stars and the occasional urchin!
For the history buffs, the cove's name is a reference to the Carelmapu, a three-masted Chilean cargo ship that got caught in a violent squall in late November 1915 that slammed it onto the rocks at Long Beach. Of the 24 crew on board, only five men and the ship's dog survived.
Written 21 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skatchie
Nanaimo41 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Went here a few years ago on a beautiful August afternoon. My boyfriend and I parked in the lot and went down the trail.
The trail (then) was a narrow trail which could barely fit two people side by side as people tried to pass one another going each direction. It was broken in a few places and was covered with moss (as things do in this part of the world) which made the trek to the beach a bit interesting.
The cove itself is absolutely beautiful. It is a continuation (if you walk far enough) of Long Beach and holds the same amazing scenery.
My tip for those who are perhaps not as adventurous or need more solid ground but still want to experience this beautiful area is to go through the parking lot, turn left on the road and walk to where the road meets the beach. It is even and paved and MUCH easier than the partial sketchy trail.
The trail (then) was a narrow trail which could barely fit two people side by side as people tried to pass one another going each direction. It was broken in a few places and was covered with moss (as things do in this part of the world) which made the trek to the beach a bit interesting.
The cove itself is absolutely beautiful. It is a continuation (if you walk far enough) of Long Beach and holds the same amazing scenery.
My tip for those who are perhaps not as adventurous or need more solid ground but still want to experience this beautiful area is to go through the parking lot, turn left on the road and walk to where the road meets the beach. It is even and paved and MUCH easier than the partial sketchy trail.
Written 4 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveling_cj
Barcelona, Spain280 contributions
June 2015 • Couples
It is a nice trail (around 2 km) in the forest that takes you to a beautiful beach. I visited this beach at the low tide and could see many sea creatures. The beach is not crowded and is perfect for a long, relaxing walk. The trail can be access directly from the parking lot located on the Highway 4 (between Tofino and Ucluelet).
Written 10 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrahamGrape
Canterbury, United Kingdom382 contributions
Sept 2019
You will see why this area gets nearly 3500 mm of rainfall/year. It has a good walkway, especially when it is raining. Be prepared for a change of clothes when it does rain.
Written 25 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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