Discovering Tonquin Island’s Hidden Gems: A Ucluelet Adventure with Geocaching & Coastal Cuisine

We’ve returned to Calgary after an invigorating escape to the stunning West Coast. While Calgary holds its own charm, the thought of a Vancouver condo and a private jet does add a certain allure to the idea of future adventures. Perhaps a lottery ticket is in order to fuel those dreams!

As is often the case, I find myself playing catch-up, especially in sharing the wonderful culinary experiences we enjoyed. This recent trip wasn’t a complete unplugged holiday; I brought some work along, making it a “half-working, half-playing” couple of weeks. My primary goal was to spend more quality time with W, reminding him that my face isn’t permanently glued to a computer screen and that I can be (almost) as much fun as his dad. It was a conscious effort to balance professional responsibilities with precious family moments, ensuring our time together felt truly connected.

From your perspective, it might seem like our diet consisted solely of crab, cookies, and pancakes during our coastal sojourn. While those treats certainly made an appearance, we also explored some fantastic local eateries, and I’m excited to share those details with you. But first, let’s rewind a bit. I realize I left you hanging on the full story of our Tonquin Park adventure. Blame it on a relaxing hot bath and perhaps a generous pour of Red Over Heels wine – a combination that, while delightful, doesn’t exactly inspire immediate storytelling. Yet, the tale of Tonquin Island is one worth telling, a true highlight of our Ucluelet trip.

The abbreviated version of our Tonquin Island saga is this: we discovered treasure! I had heard whispers of something hidden there, tucked away in a tiny cave. With a rare stroke of foresight, I finally remembered to bring my small video camera. My intention was to capture our scenic forest walk, the thrilling discovery of the said treasure, and then share it all with you. Unfortunately, my foresight didn’t extend to packing spare batteries. They decided to give up the ghost just as we emerged from the lush forest path onto the pristine beach. It was a perfectly fitting anticlimax, truly in keeping with the charmingly unpredictable theme of our past couple of weeks.

For those unfamiliar, there’s a global scavenger hunt known as Geocaching. Participants use GPS-enabled devices to track down cleverly hidden containers, referred to as “geocaches” or “treasures,” placed by others around the world. These caches often contain a logbook to sign and small trinkets for trading, offering a unique way to explore new places and uncover hidden gems. This particular geocache was located on a diminutive island, visible just as you reach the end of the main path that winds from the road down to the beach. On this small outcrop, we found a tiny cave, barely larger than a breadbox, providing the perfect clandestine spot for our discovery.

W was absolutely over the moon with excitement, let me tell you. His imagination had clearly run wild with visions of swashbuckling adventures. He was just a tad disappointed, however, that we didn’t encounter any real-life pirates and that the “treasure chest” we unearthed wasn’t brimming with gold doubloons. His grand pirate fantasies, though unfulfilled, added a wonderful layer of childlike wonder to the experience.

Instead of ancient gold, the “treasure” turned out to be a sturdy Tupperware container, perfectly practical for preserving its contents from the elements. This perfectly illustrates the charm of geocaching – it’s less about the monetary value of what you find and more about the thrill of the hunt, the discovery, and the connection with a global community of adventurers. The simplicity of the find only deepened the authenticity of our outdoor expedition, a true West Coast experience.

Following geocaching tradition, we left a little something behind for the next adventurers. From Mike’s cowboy hat, we contributed a string of beads, and I added a hand-written recipe for delectable Chocolava cookies, hoping to inspire a future geocacher’s sweet tooth. W, in his own moment of generosity, left the fuzzy little blue rabbit he had received in his Kinder Egg, a toy he was absolutely convinced possessed magical properties. It was a charming exchange of personal treasures, each item carrying its own story and a touch of the giver’s personality.

My choice for a new souvenir was a well-worn double-decker bus keychain, left by an Aussie who had included a brief note detailing his journey. This particular find resonated with me in ways I couldn’t fully articulate at the time. My own beloved keychain, which I’d cherished for at least a decade, had broken just a few weeks prior. The incident, likely exacerbated by stress and a lack of sleep, had upset me far more than it probably should have. Finding a replacement with such a rich, serendipitous backstory felt like a small, unexpected gift from the universe.

The symbolism of receiving a new keychain, especially one that spoke to travel and connection, felt incredibly fitting for a trip focused on adventure and rediscovery. Moreover, when I reached into my pocket to retrieve my keys and attach the new bus keychain, I noticed that the temporary replacement I had reluctantly picked up just a couple of weeks earlier had already broken. It was a quirky little twist, almost as if fate was confirming that the double-decker bus was meant to be mine all along. Sometimes, the smallest discoveries carry the greatest personal significance, echoing themes of resilience and new beginnings.

Beyond our geocaching escapade, I absolutely must tell you about Ukee Dog – a delightful hot dog joint (and so much more!) in Ucluelet. We stumbled upon this gem after our visit to the charming, albeit wee, local aquarium. Ukee Dog is far from your average hot dog stand; it’s a vibrant hub of homemade goodness that truly encapsulates the relaxed, artisanal spirit of the West Coast.

The display counter at Ukee Dog was a sight to behold, brimming with homemade delights. There were freshly baked cinnamon buns available in three delectable varieties: classic raisin, sweet apple, and juicy blueberry. Each one looked perfectly golden and generously frosted. Beyond the buns, the pies were all handcrafted with an evident dedication to quality, boasting flaky crusts and rich fillings. And then there were the rows upon rows of glass jars, each filled to the brim with an enticing assortment of homemade cookies, inviting us to indulge.

The selection of pies was truly impressive. Faced with such tempting options, we pooled our cash and decided to bring home a half-dozen, ensuring we could savor their culinary magic for several meals. Our haul included a magnificent salmon Wellington, bursting with fresh seafood flavor; a richly spiced curried veggie pie; a hearty curried beef pie; and a classic beef-mushroom pie. Every single one was absolutely divine, a testament to the skill and passion of the Ukee Dog bakers. These savory pies became comforting staples during our stay, perfect for quick, delicious meals after long days of exploration.

And yes, the hot dogs themselves were pretty spectacular too! Custom-made and loaded with creative toppings, they were a satisfying, quick meal option that perfectly complemented the rustic, welcoming atmosphere of Ukee Dog. It’s definitely a spot we’d recommend for anyone visiting Ucluelet seeking delicious, homemade comfort food with a unique local flair.

Of course, no culinary tour of Ucluelet would be complete without a visit to SoBo. This renowned restaurant is a true institution on the West Coast, celebrated for its innovative, locally sourced cuisine. Our lunch there was an absolute feast, showcasing the vibrant flavors of Vancouver Island.

The boys indulged in enormous, fragrant bowls of bouillabaisse, brimming with fresh, succulent seafood that was clearly just off the boat. The rich broth and generous portions made it a hearty and memorable dish. K savored their famous fish taco, a true SoBo signature, known for its perfectly battered fish, crisp toppings, and zesty sauces – a perfect balance of textures and tastes that highlights the best of coastal flavors.

We all shared an order of their polenta fries, which, if it’s even possible, seem to get better with every visit – crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. Even the kids’ meals at SoBo stood out, proving that healthy and delicious can coexist without resorting to typical kid-fare. Their plates featured generous bowls of buttered noodles, accompanied by sides of fresh cheese, beans, carrots, and corn – not a chicken nugget in sight, which was a welcome change and a testament to SoBo’s commitment to quality ingredients for all ages.

For my main course, I opted for a delectable salmon pizza, a unique and unforgettable creation that perfectly melded fresh, flaky salmon with a perfectly crisp crust and complementary toppings. It was a testament to SoBo’s creative approach to coastal cuisine, transforming familiar dishes into something extraordinary. And then there was the pie – oh, that pie! Just look at that masterpiece in the photo. I want to marry it, seriously. Its exquisite presentation and undoubtedly incredible flavor left a lasting impression, cementing our meal at SoBo as a true highlight of our Ucluelet adventure.

It’s worth mentioning that our West Coast trip wasn’t all sunshine and beaches. Did I tell you about the hail? And the snow? Yes, during what was supposed to be a spring escape, we experienced some truly dramatic weather, which meant we often had to seek refuge indoors, adding an unexpected cozy element to our adventure. This made our culinary explorations and indoor discoveries even more cherished. But rest assured, despite the weather, our spirits remained high, fueled by good food and great company.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a brand-new recipe for you, and even some free stuff to give away. Stay tuned, because the adventures (and delicious food) continue!