Chasing Stars in Tofino with 2022 Buick Enclave Avenir
Tofino is located in the centre of Clayoquot Sound and is situated by the Pacific Rim National Park rainforest and 25 km of sandy beach. It is home to the best surfing in Canada.
We were on a mission to get away from the city’s light pollution and see dazzling stars light up the night sky. We drove the 2022 Buick Enclave Avenir to explore the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Avenir is Buick’s flagship model and is equipped with the highest level of refinement, comfort and style.
We got the key to the luxurious 2022 Buick Enclave Avenir in sleek rich garnet metallic with 20″ pearl nickel finish wheels. It’s loaded with the top-spec Avenir Technology Package which includes adaptive cruise control with stop/go, front automatic braking, a premium suspension package and continuously variable real-time damping and enhanced LED headlamps.
The Avenir cabin is all about refined luxury with perforated, first-class seats wrapped in whisper beige leather with ebony interior accents. Located on the centre dashboard, the bright 8-inch touch screen is the entertainment and navigation hub. The Buick Infotainment System is responsive and has an easy-to-use interface to plan your route, listen to SiriusXM and receive and make a phone call. Plus, it’s capable with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Buick Enclave helps you navigate the unpredictable road with confidence with the help of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies. For example, the high-definition surround vision uses multiple cameras to display a digital overhead image of the area around your vehicle to help you park and avoid nearby objects.
The spacious Buick Enclave can seat up to 7 people. The second-row Smart Slide seating makes it easier access to the third row. While the third-row seat can fold down to offer more cargo space.
After a 2-hour BC Ferries ride to Nanaimo and a 3-hour scenic drive, we arrived in the charming beach town of Tofino. The first stop was the original Tacofino food truck for the best crispy fish tacos.
For dinner, we had a reservation at Wolf in the Fog, which serves up west coast flare with local seafood and foraged focused menu. Chef Nicholas Nutting family-style dishes are inspired by Tofino’s ocean, shoreline and forest.
Must order: daily oyster feature and Baked Tofino Halibut with spiced potatoes and peas.
After dinner, we headed to the beach because there is very little light pollution and a clear vantage point to see the night sky.
Stargazing tips!
Move away from city lights – drive away from the city to a park
Find a spot with a clear view of the horizon – get higher up on a mountain top to get the best vantage point
Download a Star Map app on your smartphone – hold up and point your smartphone to the sky; the app will help you identify stars, planets and constellations
During our getaway, we stayed at Tofino Resort + Marina, a full-service waterfront resort and marina in the heart of Tofino. The hotel amenities include a Tuff Fit fitness centre and an Adventure Centre for booking guided fishing, bear and whale watching tours.
