Storm Watching... is an outdoor winter activity with great visual rewards. A BC Storm watching experience places you front and centre, head to head with mother nature. Some storm watchers sit back -relax - and observe the crushing waves from a resort while others participate outdoors exploring on foot, disappearing into the sheets of ocean mist.

The pacific side of British Columbia is home to over 6000 islands and during the winter and early spring months the shores on the west coast erupt with waves and winds firing on all cylinders pounding the coastline.

Many visitors, enjoy the sounds and sights of a thundering pacific storm while staying dry in one of the waterfront resorts, observing from a far, in the lap of comfort sitting behind large protective windows... spending hours mesmerized by 50 foot waves tossing logs about like toothpicks.

Others, the more adventurous types, suit up in rain gear from head to toe, slip on some rubber boots and water proof the camera in preparation to walk the beaches with the thundering waves and ocean mists. Some upper scale accommodations will supply guests with rain gear for storm watching outside. It is always wise to ask accommodation what is included before you plan your B.C. storm watching trip.

Every storm watcher who ventures outdoors should be well prepared for a good time but also be smart about the high gusts of unpredictable winds (at times knocking people down), the rogue waves (odd waves that are much bigger and more powerful, landing further up the beach when they arrive on shore) and watch out for flying logs being thrown on shore (very dangerous and fatal). A good guideline to follow when storm watching on foot is too walk a minimum of 50 feet away from the tide line.

People arrive in droves, booking accommodations, at the many storm watching resorts, inns and B&Bs every year celebrating an oncoming west coast storm. Storms can last for days or they can come and be gone within hours. The weather aftermath left behind can be drizzle, pouring rain, clouds or a beautiful sunshine with rainbows.