When the Pacific throws a tantrum in the fall and winter, Tofino’s beaches become a kind of natural treasure hunt. Storms don’t only rearrange sand, they deliver objects with stories: sea glass smoothed by decades of surf, rare Japanese glass fishing floats that drifted across the ocean, kelp bulbs and giant logs that shape ecosystems, and (less romantically) plastic and ghost gear that remind us humans left a footprint.
Below is a friendly guide to the weird and wonderful things storms wash ashore (and a few responsible practices).
Why storms wash strange things ashore (the short science bit)
Big storms create stronger winds, longer swells, and chaotic nearshore currents. As offshore debris (everything from old fishing gear to household items) is tossed and tumbled, currents and tidal cycles concentrate it on exposed beaches and inlets. That’s why storms in Tofino are prime time for finds: the ocean has been mixing, sorting, and delivering for hours or days before the tide sets it on the sand. Citizen-science surveys show that large stretches of the East Pacific routinely collect varied marine debris, especially after storm events.
Sea glass: little history lessons smoothed by the sea
If you pick up sea glass in Tofino you’re holding a bit of human history. Sea glass begins as broken glass (bottles, jars, shipwrecks) and is tumbled by waves and sand until the edges are frosted and smooth. Colours tell stories: brown and green are common (old beer and beverage bottles); clear and aqua are typical of older containers; rarer colors (lavender, cobalt, red) point to older manufacturing processes or special glass. The chemistry behind some colors can be surprising, for example, rare purple or lavender pieces often owe their color to manganese used as a decolorizer early in the 20th century that oxidized over decades of sun exposure.
Tip for beachcombers: Photograph any unusual color with a neutral background and note the beach and tide (helpful for local naturalists and collectors).
Japanese glass fishing floats: the ocean’s slow travelers
Those spherical glass balls you sometimes see? Many originated as fishing net floats made in Japan in the 20th century. Japan (and nearby countries) manufactured them by the hundreds of thousands… historical records note extremely high production (hundreds of thousands per month in the mid-20th century), and lost or discarded floats can stay at sea for decades before currents deposit them on the Pacific Northwest coast. The floats’ glass, air bubbles, embossing, and color (often green from recycled bottles) help identify age and origin.
Note: These floats are cool to photograph and respect. If a float looks modern and has nylon netting or plastics attached, it may be part of recent gear, report heavy or hazardous items to local authorities (see reporting guidance below).
Logs, kelp bulbs, and beach ecology that becomes habitat
Sure, big logs and kelp mats look dramatic after a storm, but they’re also ecological powerhouses. Driftwood creates new microhabitats for insects and shore plants; kelp beds that wash ashore bring nutrients that feed invertebrates and birds. In some places, piling kelp above the high tide line and reporting heavy accumulations helps coordinated cleanups and habitat management (local groups and provincial programs track and respond to high-concentration debris areas). This is one reason storm-washed beaches are both messy and biologically important.
The ugly truth: plastic, ghost gear, and safety risks
Storms can also land hazardous debris: plastic fragments, Styrofoam, sections of nets (ghost gear), and even pieces of docks or abandoned boats. Recent coastal research and provincial consultations show marine debris is a persistent problem around BC. It’s not just unsightly; it’s harmful to wildlife and costly for communities to manage. If you find large or dangerous items, don’t try to move them yourself, report them to provincial marine-debris contacts or the Canadian Coast Guard’s pollution reporting lines.
Fascinating finds you might spot (and why they matter)
Sea glass: aesthetic, dateable via color, safe to pick up. Great for photos.
Japanese glass floats: historic, sometimes netted, treat with curiosity, document, and leave where appropriate for others to enjoy.
Kelp bulbs and wrack lines: ecological signposts, where the ocean fertilizes the shore.
Marine plastics & ghost gear: report and avoid handling sharp fragments. These are increasingly common and are tracked by local responders.
Tsunami or large transoceanic debris: large furniture or marked tsunami debris should be reported to DisasterDebris@noaa.gov (if linked to the 2011 event or similar) and local provincial authorities; handle with respect and caution.
What to do (and not do) when you find something
If it’s small and harmless (sea glass, shells, small floats): photograph, document the beach + tide, and follow local park or Indigenous authority rules about removing natural objects.
If it’s large, dangerous, or possibly tsunami debris: don’t move heavy items. Photograph with scale (a shoe or hand), record GPS/landmarks, and report to:
- BC provincial marine debris/contact pages. Province of British Columbia
- Canadian Coast Guard Marine Pollution reporting (phone numbers on federal sites).
- For confirmed tsunami-linked items, NOAA’s DisasterDebris email (check local guidance links).
- If it involves wildlife: use DFO/reporting hotlines (injured or entangled marine mammals).
Storm season warnings for beachcombers
Storm beaches are beautiful and dangerous. Quick checklist for visitors planning things to do in Tofino or a Tofino winter getaway beachcombing day:
- Never turn your back on the surf; rogue waves happen.
- Don’t climb exposed rocks during big swells; they’re slippery, and waves can knock you into the tide.
- Watch for entangled nets or sharp metal; don’t try to cut or drag them by yourself.
- If you’re a surfer: check local surf forecasts, large swells bring rips and unpredictable currents.
- Carry a charged phone, waterproof jacket, and sturdy boots.
How to be a good beachcombing guest (and help the coast)
- Join a local cleanup or report high concentrations of debris so local organizations can coordinate removals (BC has programs and reporting tools you can use).
- If you bring home a souvenir, avoid taking shellfish or items protected by park rules or First Nations stewardship areas, always check signage.
- Share unusual finds with local naturalist groups or parks staff, sometimes an odd object helps scientists track debris transport or ecological changes.
Storm-washed beaches are a classroom and a museum: every odd buoy or smoothed shard has travelled a story. Tofino’s fall and winter storms deliver beauty, mystery, and responsibility. Enjoy the finds, learn the science (how Tofino storm season redistributes life and litter), and leave the shoreline better than you found it.
Your basecamp for beachcombing
When you’re spending your days combing the beaches for the ocean’s oddities, it’s nice to return somewhere warm, welcoming, and just steps from the water.
And don’t forget, guests who stay + play at Tofino Resort + Marina will be contributing:
- 1% Eco Fee supports the protection, conservation and sustainability of natural ecosystems in Clayoquot Sound.
- 1% to Tribal Park Allies supports the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in the restoration and guardianship of their lands.