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Attractions

Best stop on the way to Tofino

Planning a road trip across Vancouver Island?

Make Sproat Lake Landing your first great memory before the coast. Whether you’re driving from Nanaimo, Victoria, or Vancouver, we’re the most scenic and satisfying stop between Port Alberni and Tofino.

Best Ice Cream in Port Alberni🍦

Just off Highway 4, Della’s Café is home to Port Alberni’s best ice cream stop — serving premium scoops in house-baked waffle cones. Looking for something unique? Try our locally famous Ice Cream Taco, made fresh and filled with your choice of flavour.

We’re the last place to get ice cream before you hit Ucluelet or Tofino — and it comes with a stunning lakefront view. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert or a memorable snack break, this is a sweet moment you’ll remember from your Vancouver Island road trip.

Top Coffee Stop Between Nanaimo and Tofino ☕️

Skip the drive-thru. Della’s Café offers specialty coffees, handcrafted espresso drinks, and a rotating menu of fresh baked goods — from flaky croissants to oversized cookies. We’re a favourite among both locals and road-trippers looking for coffee near Port Alberni with a relaxing atmosphere.

Heading west from Victoria, Nanaimo, or the ferry from Vancouver? This is your last chance to sit, sip, and stretch your legs before the long, winding road to the coast.

Scenic Stop to Relax and Recharge 🌊

Our lakeside location offers much more than food and drink. Take a break, walk by the water, snap a photo, or enjoy a lakeside snack with family and friends. We’re one of the few scenic stops on the Tofino drive that’s both relaxing and easy to access — just minutes from Port Alberni.

For families, couples, or anyone needing a moment off the road, this is a hidden gem worth planning into your trip.

Cold Beer & Wine To Go 🍻

If you’re heading to a cabin, campsite, or Airbnb, make your trip easier with a visit to the front desk at Sproat Lake Landing. We offer a convenient selection of cold beer and BC wine for off-sales — ideal for those stocking up before the coast.

We’re one of the only stops between Port Alberni and Tofino where you can pick up alcohol to go in a scenic setting. Perfect for road trippers, surfers, and anyone prepping for a weekend away.

Where to Find Us📍

Located right on Highway 4, just past Port Alberni, we’re the last memorable food and rest stop before Ucluelet and Tofino. Stop in, stretch out, and experience what locals already know.

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Add This to Your Trip ✅

✔️ Best ice cream in Port Alberni
✔️ Top-rated café and coffee stop on the Tofino drive
✔️ Off-sales: cold beer & wine available through the hotel
✔️ Outdoor seating with lake views
✔️ Family-friendly and road trip ready

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Stamp River Provincial Park

One of the incredible sights to behold on Vancouver Island, watching the salmon journey up Stamp River to spawn.

Every year, beginning in late August and starting with the sockeye, salmon make their way from the ocean, up the river by the thousands. Lasting through to December, with the chinook and coho runs, you can see these amazing creatures biding their time in the pools at the base of the waterfall, resting for the push ahead.

A salmon ladder has been built to help the salmon move their way up the river, featuring tubes and pools to make sure as many can return to their original spawning ground as possible. Make sure to check out the video camera set up that displays these fish making their way through the tunnel.

Hiking in Stamp River Provincial Park

The main trail in the park is accessible and just past the main parking lot and campground. The trail network is well maintained with fencing and phenomenal view points from which to look up and down the water fall and river. It is a short walk to the waterfall and the trails circle back up to the parking lot with multiple places to appreciate the view and snap a photo along the way.

There is also access to the Long Stamp River trailhead, a 7km one way trail that takes you up the river further through lush, green forest.

If you are looking for more amazing hikes, you can check them out here!

Stamp River Wildlife

Apart from the different kinds of salmon fighting their way up stream, there are other creatures that visitors might catch a glimpse of. Black bears come to the river to fish and fill their bellies before tucking themselves in for the winter. You can catch these gorgeous animals fishing away in the river, mostly unbothered by onlookers as they are intent on filling their bellies. This time of the year for bears has led to some stunning photos, making this a must stop destination for any wildlife photographers.

There are also eagles and gulls abound as these birds seek to pick off struggling salmon and enjoy the remains the bears may have overlooked.

As always, make sure to exercise caution when visiting nature, obey all posted signs and stay within the boundaries. Do not attempt to feed any animals, dispose of your garbage properly and take lots of pictures!

If you would like some help planning your next excursion, please come see us at the front desk or send us an email today so we can help you get underway.

Attractions

Hikes to Explore

The West Coast and Pacific Rim are synonymous with incredible hikes and amazing views. ​

There are so many peaks conquer and places to explore, shout out the wonder of this coast from all of the mountain tops.

5040 – 1,536M

Looking for your next challenge? 5040 is a challenging peak, taking you up 891M and 6.9KM in and out, hikers will pass the shores of tranquil Cobalt Lake and take in breathtaking views of Vancouver Island. The trail is complete with everything West Coast, including waterfalls, beautiful forest and alpine views. The trail winds along with the Effingham River towards the peak and while challenging, the views are worth the sore muscles. While the drive to the trailhead is made easier with a 4WD vehicle, it is not mandatory and quite possible without it. Of course, we are here to help point you in the next direction, and also to help you relax and to nourish you upon your return.

Mt. Klitsa – 1,639M

The second highest peak in the Alberni Valley, Mt. Klitsa boasts excellent views with distant views encompassing the southern ranges of Strathcona Provincial Park to the north with the Comox Glacier, Mt. Septimus and Big Interior Mountain standing out. Given the right conditions, it’s even possible to catch glimpses of the Golden Hinde and Elkhorn over the left and right shoulders respectively of the Septimus massif but conditions need to be ideal.

In this instance, a 4WD vehicle is required to reach the trailhead. The trail and hike itself are difficult, with open faces and loose rock near the summit. Gaining an elevation of 893M and hiking in and out a distance of 8.9KM, we can guarantee that you will be ready for cocktails and a comfy bed after your day of adventure.

Mt. Arrowsmith – 1,817M

While you can enjoy world class views of Mt. Arrowsmith while enjoying dinner and a craft cocktail, the view from on top of the mountain is spectacular as well. The tallest mountain in the Alberni Valley, Mt. Arrowsmith has many trails that can all be accomplished in one day. Situated just east of the head of the Alberni Inlet between the Englishman and Cameron River watersheds, the ocean is within view and a mere 40KM away.

Accessing the various trailheads requires traversing logging roads but a 4WD is not necessary and depending on the route taken, it can be 4-6KM in and out by taking either the Saddle Route or the Judges Route. Arguably the most famous mountain hike on Vancouver Island, Mt. Arrowsmith is a MUST for all hikers and climbers looking to experience the West Coast.

Whatever your hiking plans detail, we are here to help point you in the right direction and make sure you are well cared for before you leave and when you return.

Attractions

Tofino or Ucluelet

There is a lot to explore in both Tofino and Ucluelet and these amazing places require careful planning and a great home base to see it all.

Heading to Tofino

Is surfing a passion of yours? How about storm chasing? Maybe walking long and sandy beaches is more your pace? Whatever your love is we are sure you can find it in Tofino and we would love to host you on your journey to or from.

The Pacific Rim Park Reserve is a must visit for all those travellers looking to truly experience the wonders of the West Coast. Take the day exploring the coastline, the incredible trees, coves and even hot springs. The perfect place for nature lovers and adventure seekers, armed with binoculars for the birds and cameras for the memories.

Rest easy at the end of your day and practice your travellers’ stories on each other over hand crafted cocktails on our patio.

Visit Ucluelet

Take a walk on the Wild Pacific Trail and it will weave itself into your soul, whether this is your first visit or a daily ritual.

This easy, family-friendly trail traces the edge of reefs where shipwrecks, whales and vistas abound. You will be enthralled by Vancouver Island’s dramatic beauty and helpful interpretive signs will enrich your visit to Ucluelet’s famous 9km trail network. A perfect destination for photographers, storm watchers, bird watchers and hikers of all abilities. Wheelchair access is available at the lighthouse area.

The trail can be walked in two main sections. Section one is a loop starting near the lighthouse (overlooking the Broken Group Islands of Pacific Rim National Park). Section two extends 5 km north from Big Beach Park. Then you can leave the wind-sculpted coastline to visit the largest trees in the area at Ancient Cedars grove. Breathe in the heady scent of a stand of trees over 800 years old!

Many visitors travel from great distances to experience this spiritual retreat. It is no wonder that a multitude of languages can be heard as you stroll past frequent benches tucked into frequent viewpoints.

The entire trail enjoys a dense rainforest canopy providing a natural umbrella in any weather, so any time of year is a rewarding time to visit. Come see us at the front desk or send us an email if you would like to learn more and start planning your next trip.

If you would like some help planning your next excursion, please come see us at the front desk or send us an email today so we can help you get underway.