Cox Bay Beach
Cox Bay Beach is a wide, exposed Pacific beach just south of Tofino, known for its consistent surf, dramatic driftwood-strewn shoreline, and unobstructed views toward the open ocean. The rolling waves and surfers in the lineup give you strong foreground interest, while the surrounding old-growth forest framing the bay adds depth to wider compositions. Sunset is the prime time to shoot here, with warm light hitting the water directly from the west and creating vivid reflections across wet sand during low tide. Position yourself at the waterline and shoot low to use the wet sand as a mirror, or work the south end of the beach where tide pools offer detail-oriented foreground elements. A wide-angle lens suits the expansive scenery well, though a short telephoto lets you compress the surf and isolate individual surfers against the horizon. Parking is available at the Cox Bay Beach Resort access point off Pacific Rim Highway. (Tofino, British Columbia, Canada)
