Cox Bay Beach Lookout (Tofino, BC) Hike and Directions
If you get off the beaten track in Tofino, you might be able to find Cox Bay Lookout. This is a great hike that is located on the south end of Cox Bay beach.
The walk up makes you feel like you are walking in the jungle, and the view at the top is stunning. The Though not as hidden as it used to be this little hike is definitely worth your time. I think it has one the best views on the island for the amount of hiking required! This might be the best sunset spot in all of Tofino!
Keep your eye our for Cox Bay Beach Resort, this place is amazing if it’s in your budget. If not stroll by on the beach for free and check it out.
Cox Bay Lookout Hike Stats
- Distance: ~2 km
- Difficulty: A short trail but steep with some scrambiling
- Time: 45 minutes
- Elevation gain: ~120 m
- Best Time To Go: Bring a headlamp and go for sunset
- Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed but there are steep sections
Where To Stay In Tofino
Cox Bay is well known for its surf and amazing sandy beach, and you will also find great resorts and hotels along its shorelines. I would definitely recommend staying at Long Beach Lodge. The Great Room restaurant, has spectacular views of the ocean and great food.
Cox Bay Beach Resort is no slouch either and the hot tub on the edge of the beach is amazing! Let’s face it Tofino is not cheap. If you are going to drive all the way up there staying at one of these places is definitely worth it. Cox Bay Beach Resort is probably our favourite beachfront “nice” hotel for the value.
There is also the Best Western Tin Wis which has to be the nicest Best Western I have ever seen right on the beach.
Cox Bay Lookout Hiking Directions
There are no signs or super obvious trails for this hike, so it is kind of hard to find. The hike is located at the south end of the beach and you will take the most obvious trail up the bluff, which is close to the tideline.
This is the peak on the left when you are looking at the water. There are a couple trails, but the most well kept and obvious one close to the water is what you want to take.
It may be muddy at the beginning but push through and keep heading up, its worth it. I recommend good footwear even though it isn’t long it is steep and you will need sure footing.
At the beginning of the trail you will walk into an alcove of rock, with a marshy area at the end. During the spring season when we went, there was a lot of mud and even skunk cabbage growing. The trail was very grown over and muddy, but there was only one way to go up, so you will not get lost. I would definitely recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes or rubber boots.
Walking up the trail was a reminder that we live in one of the wettest areas on the west coast. There was a couple slippery falls, but the hike up was well worth the view. going down is a little bit harder to lose your footing, so I used the roots of trees and branches to help myself go down.
We only saw a few people on our way and there is not much posted online about this hike, so it was nice to get a view that not many have had the chance to get.
Cox Bay Lookout Summit View
The incredible sunset views waiting for you at the lookout.
On clear days you can see all the way over Tofino.
When you get to the bottom of the hike there is a lot of cool tide pools and sea life visible along the rocky embankments.
Pettinger Point Cox Bay
Alternatively, if you want to go on a shorter walk you can head over to the north end of the beach. Pettinger Point is amazing and totally worth a look. This is your quintessential Tofino wave watching and sunset spot. On this side of Cox Bay there are short trails along the rocky shore that bring you out to the tip of the cove.
There is now also an official boardwalk just in front of Pacific Sands Resort, you can’t miss it!
The waves can get huge out here, so this is a great spot for storm watching in the winter months.
Pettinger Point On A Sunny Day
If you don’t feel like hiking up this is also an excellent sunset spot. Petinger Point completely transforms in spring and summer on a sunny day.
Walking out to the point and looking towards Chestermans Beach
On bigger swell days the surfers will be out and this is a great spot to watch them from a different prospective.
Cox Bay Driving Directions
There are 2 entrance areas to Cox Bay Beach and they both have free public parking.
The first is located across the highway from the tourism information center, the second is at the end of Maltby Road just to the south. They are along the main road into Tofino.
There are also awesome hotels and resorts in the area. My favourite is Long Bay Beach Resort and it is right on Cox Bay Beach!
Lookout MapIs there Wildlife In Tofino?
Tofino is famous for frequent bear sighting and sometimes wolves. It is important to keep your pets leashed and to carry bear spray in rural trails.
Where Is Cox Bay Lookout
Cox Bay lookout is located at the south end of Cox Bay Beach in Tofino BC on western Vancouver Island.
Is Cox Bay Lookout Free
Cox Bay lookout is completely free. You only need to pay parking if you aren’t staying at one of the properties.
Can you camp at Cox Bay
Yes there is now an amazing campsite right on the beach called Surf Grove. It is a tad pricey for camping but you have to love the location and the sites are quite nice!
What Else To Do In Tofino
If you have more time in Tofino we really loved this hike on Meares Island. Getting there is a bit of an adventure you have to take a water taxi to Meares island then pay the band for access to the trail. Its all worth it when you see the view!
The iconic Canso Bomber plane crash hike is another must do easy hike in Tofino.
Have some extra time heading back south check out the incredible 5040 Peak Hike.
