I visited this dreamy waterfront small town and it's a road trip away from Vancouver

Living in Vancouver it was weekend escapes to these tiny towns that gave me the breaks I needed from the busyness. In the year that I called the city home some of my favourite memories were jumping onto BC Ferries and heading over to explore more of Vancouver Island.

Reminiscing on some of the best of the best trips, this small town stands out. Ucluelet is the kind of place that you go and never really want to leave. The kind of trip where you find yourself turning to your friend and questioning, "should we move here?"

It's set on Vancouver Island, which is a ferry ride away from Vancouver. In total the road trip here will take you about five hours, but you get stunning views along the way that make it fly by.

There's a certain wildness to the nature here that drew me in. The small waterfront town is set alongside rugged shoreline with ocean waves crashing onto it, and long stretches of sandy beach nearby. Then you have lush rainforest, which is home to beautiful old-growth trees and trails that wind you between them.

The scenery might seem familiar, and that's likely thanks to the popularity of the nearby town of Tofino — a surfing hot spot and renowned tourist destination, about 30 minutes down the road from here. While I loved visiting Tofino on a previous trip, the cost of accommodations (even campsites) drew me up short when going to the area yet again.

Ucluelet gives you access to the same incredible nature, with less crowds, some cheaper stay options, and a town that's easy to fall in love with.

I still camped while in Ucluelet, at Wya Point Resort, and it was one of the most scenic places I've slept. It's set in a little cove that's protected from the wind, and the sandy beach is enclosed by rocks on either side.

You can spend days — actually, weeks — exploring the outdoors here, but the town is also a destination on it's own. Set along the water there's a peacefulness just strolling through the streets.

You can grab a drink at the brewery, enjoy a meal at the award-winning Pluvio restaurant, and do some shopping at the local boutiques.

If you want an unforgettable summer trip, add this to your list.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.