There are scenes that are uniquely Vancouver Island and almost defy words.
A mother humpback joyfully playing with its calf in the surf. The crashing waves that typify nature’s power and beauty. The abundant flora that has adorned the landscape for time immemorial.
All of this can be seen and experienced at Ucluelet’s Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, a timeless vacation spot for those wanting nature on their front step and across any turn.
And the sensory experience begins the moment you enter the Black Rock’s doors – floor to ceiling, 20-foot glass windows that reveal the ethereal Pacific Ocean.
“It’s like walking into one of the most spectacular stages that nature offers: the craggy coastline, spectacular action going on off the ocean, with the waves crashing in off the rocks,” says Black Rock’s general manager Adele Larkin. “It changes every day and that’s the part I find the most exciting and even romantic about it, in that every single day it’s a different gift that you’re given.”
Located on a dramatic headland above the crashing waves of the Pacific, Black Rock is minutes from Vancouver Island’s most amazing beaches, forests, restaurants and attractions, including Pacific Rim National Park, Long Beach, Ucluelet Aquarium and Barkley Sound.
Upon arrival, you can revitalize your senses at the Drift Spa, which features “SeaFlora Skincare’s” wild organic seaweed products harvested on Vancouver Island. Or relax in one of the two outdoor hot tubs or plunge pool.
Black Rock’s 90-seat oceanfront restaurant Currents offers an immersive view of surrounding rocky headlands, surge channel and open Pacific Ocean where you can watch the sunset during your dining experience.
The resort’s 4,200 square feet of gathering space is the perfect setting for meetings, events, receptions, retreats, conferences and weddings – a spectacular destination for brainstorming or celebrating life’s essential moments.
“The thing that attracts me to this place more than anything is the calm, friendly vibe in the community,” Larkin says.
For those travelling in the fall or winter, there are some essential must-dos: storm watching, hiking the Wild Pacific Trail or exploring any number of nearby beaches. The spring and summer bring a myriad of opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or the quintessential West Coast activity – surfing.
“No one is expecting you to hang ten on your first trip out, but the experience of being in the ocean in your wetsuit and with the aid of your surfboard is pretty exhilarating and a worthwhile experience,” Larkin says.
Recognizing the abundance of beauty around them, the Black Rock team puts an emphasis on environmental stewardship by using eco-friendly cleaning products and sustainable bath amenities; offering plastic-free dining options and sourcing products locally, among numerous other initiatives.
“We give back in the ways we know we can give back,” Larkin says. “When you think about the volume of guests who come through our doors, our focus on sustainability definitely helps to save our planet in our own little way.”
Ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate Pacific Coast experience? Book your stay at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort HERE.
