Long Beach

On Vancouver Island, the vacation town of Tofino has beautiful beaches. Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park is the most well-known and, possibly, the most magnificent. This vast beach, well titled, runs about 16 kilometers and bears the brunt of the Pacific Ocean's unceasing attack on dry ground.

The water is chilly here, warming only from 8 degrees Celsius in the dead of winter to 12 degrees Celsius at the height of summer. That doesn't stop a slew of characters from donning half-inch full-body wetsuits and surfing on the never-ending waves.

Surfing is huge in Tofino, and it's a terrific location to learn. Various areas are good for novices due to the size and structure of the beaches. Because of the sandy bottoms and shallow regions, this sport is easier to do than it appears.

Location: Long beach, Tofino on Vancouver Island, Canada

Activities: Surfing, boating, hiking, biking, sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming.