Trace the Legendary Waves of the Pacific: Vancouver Island, Hawaii and LA

It’s time to get out of the city and hit the coast. After breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and drive thirty minutes to Horseshoe Bay. Here you’ll catch a car-ferry over to Nanaimo, which takes around an hour and a half, before driving three hours to Tofino, a beautiful bohemian surf hub on the west coast of the island. Your home for the next three nights is a beautiful hotel nestled between the forest and the ocean. After settling in and freshening up, head out and spend the afternoon discovering your new surroundings. A former isolated fishing village, Tofino has become a surfing hotspot in the Pacific Northwest, offering year-round surf along its sandy beaches for all skill levels.

Today you’ll have access to a board suited to your skill level and a comfortable wetsuit, then it’s up to you to make the most of Tofino’s coveted waves. One of the most popular spots here is Long Beach, owing to its beautiful series of beach breaks along a six-mile stretch of the Pacific Rim National Park. There is also Wickaninnish?and?Chesterman Beach, classic spots frequented by local surf veterans; Rosie Bay Beach, a small rocky cove and popular local hang-out spot; and Cox Bay Beach, a crescent-shaped bay that hosts the annual Rip Curl Pro, one of Canada's largest surfing competitions.

After yesterday’s foray into the windswept wilderness of the ocean, today is all about slowing down and enjoying the laid-back local way of life. Enjoy a morning spent lazing on the beach and splashing around in the waves before tucking into a lunch of delicious fresh tacos from Tacofino, the region’s most iconic food truck. You can also browse for hip, locally-made t-shirts, totes and sweatshirts in the trendy clothing stores; rent a bike and explore the 15 miles of cycle paths that wind through the heart of the Pacific Rim park, between the tranquility of the rainforest and the tumult of the ocean; and feast on smoked meats and fresh fish in one of Tofino’s many relaxed BBQ joints. We could also arrange for you to experience a West Coast-style sauna – heated by a wood fire and with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Your epic adventure chasing the legendary waves of the Pacific continues today with an international flight to Hawaii. After breakfast this morning, head back to Vancouver via Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay and drop your hire car off at the airport. Relax in the airport lounge before hopping onto a six-hour direct flight to Kahului, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. On arrival, collect a new rental car and drive to Paia, the wind surfing capital of the world. Your home for the next five nights is a beautiful hotel nestled on the shores of Ku'au Cove. After a busy day of travelling we recommend simply relaxing and enjoying the sunset on the beach, before settling in for a good night’s rest.

Lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the island of Maui has been a cradle of surfing for more than a thousand years. Surf champions from across the world flock here to ride the impressive waves, while globe-trotters come to enjoy the bohemian feel of one of the world’s original surf hubs. Your base on the northern shores around Paia are popular for surfing, as well as skateboarding, sailing and kite surfing. While here you’ll have a board and wetsuit tailored to you to use and we recommend spending your days beach-hopping in search of the best surf breaks in the area. Our favourite spots include Ho'okipa Beach Park, which attracts the best windsurfers in the world (as well as seasoned surfers), and Paia Bay, which is a good winter alternative to Ho’okipa. Spend the rest of your time here further discovering the delights of the island at your own pace. You can enjoy hearty brunches in the many friendly cafes of Paia; tuck into a fresh-fish taco or burger at the Paia Fishmarket; sample artisanal locally-made ice cream in the heart of town; stroll around La Perouse Bay, which displays dramatic landscapes shaped by the black lava of the Haleakala Volcano; and visit Big Beach in Makena State Park, a supervised beach where you can enjoy swimming, bodysurfing and, of course, surfing.

Today you’ll be jetting back over the Pacific Ocean to another of the USA’s most famous surf spots: Los Angles. After breakfast this morning, drive back to Kahului airport and board a five-hour flight to LA. On arrival, collect your final rental car and drive to your next hotel: a trendy beachside hotel in the heart of Venice Beach, where you’ll be hanging up your hat for the next two nights. The rest of this afternoon is yours to play with. We recommend enjoying a sunset stroll along the beach before grabbing a cocktail and a bite to eat at one of the neighbourhood’s many trendy eateries.

Rise and shine early today, as you only have one full day in beautiful Venice Beach and there’s not a moment to waste. A true Californian legend, Venice Beach has a foot in both camps as both an urban playground for leisure-seeking ‘Angelinos’ and an individualistic coastal enclave that breathes personality into every inch of its iconic seaside promenade. Today you’ll once again have a tailored board and wetsuit for the whole day, which means beach-hopping is certainly on the agenda. There’s, of course, Venice Beach, where rollerbladers, sunbathers, joggers and surfers all coalesce to create a flurry of activity. Other top spots in the area include Santa Monica, which is known for its easy-breezy beginner-friendly waves; Manhattan Beach, which is more of a mainstay for local legends with its more challenging breaks; and Malibu Surfrider Beach, where seasoned surfers display their timeless tricks at the many year-round competitions. The rest of today is yours to carve out as you please. You can enjoy a local lunch of ceviche, seafood and tacos at one of the many glitzy sea-fronted restaurants in Malibu (make sure to speak to our local Concierge for ideas); stroll along the canals and streets of Abbot Kinney Boulevard with its trendy concept stores and designer boutiques; and settle in for one last wholesome meal in the charming neighbourhood of Hermosa Beach to reflect on the magnificent memories you’ve made over the last 11 days.