A large, forested island just across the water from Tofino, accessible by water taxi in minutes. Meares Island is a Tribal Park declared by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, protecting ancient temperate rainforest that would otherwise have been logged decades ago. The Big Tree Trail, a 4km boardwalk loop through old-growth forest, is one of the most impressive forest walks on the BC coast.
The trees here are genuinely monumental — ancient red cedars and Sitka spruces with diameters of several metres, draped in moss and lichen. The largest tree on the island, known as the Hanging Garden Tree, is an old red cedar estimated to be over 1,500 years old. Water taxis to the island run from the Tofino main dock; the crossing takes about five minutes. The trail itself is accessible to most visitors and takes two to three hours at a leisurely pace.