CLAY HUNTING NOOTKA ISLAND TATCHU PLUS

Wickannish, or Wick Beach as it’s known locally, continues on from Long Beach. This vast beach attracts all sorts of surfcraft, but even with the growing throngs of beachgoers it never seems crowded – and with miles of open sands, it probably never will. A little further south-east into the Pacific Rim National Park, Long Beach is Vancouver Island’s watersports capital. A super-fun spot to ride and jump waves in a smaller swell, but winds can often be light with huge surf that’s tough to handle for all but the most experienced. The waves can be twice as big just a few minutes south off the beautiful wide-open beach at Cox Bay. If winds are onshore at North Chesterman they can be perfect cross to cross-off at South Chestermans – a popular surfing beach, and particularly good for family groups wanting to rent a house right on the coast. On the tip of the Tofino peninsula, Chestermans Beach is divided by a long sandy point and island that make for great surf, dead-flat water and everything in-between depending on wind and swell directions. The whole area is bursting with places to ride, from bump-and-jump to full-on waves – best explored with a guide. Clay Hunter runs Tatchu Surf Adventures from Pebble Point, this rustic surf camp gets good wind from April to October. Just north of Clayoquot Sound, the hidden gem of Nootka Island is only accessible by boat or plane. Long summer days of sailing with almost no-one else out, but rains can hammer down so do check the forecast before going.

CLAY HUNTING NOOTKA ISLAND TATCHU PLUS

Up amongst the mountains in the north of the Island, just west of Port Hardy, the remote Lake Nimpkish enjoys nuclear winds and a real taste of wilderness – plus the bonus of catching fresh fish right off the beach.

Clay hunting nootka island tatchu