the best wind in the west.
Nitinat Lake is connected to the Pacific Ocean by a 3km tidal salt water fjord, the lake itself is 23 km long and 1.2 km wide.
Consistent winds make this a great lake for wind sports.
For info www.bigwavedave.ca is one of many good web sites to follow wind conditions and surf news.
From Victoria you can expect a 3 hour trip. Its an hour to Cowichan Lake, once you pass Youbou it's two hours on dirt roads. Be prepared for flat tires if yours are not in good condition. (www.nitinaht.ca/southern_route.htm)
You can also drive from Port Alberni on the northern route, it is about same driving time on logging roads. (www.nitinaht.ca/northern_route.htm)
Near the head of the lake is a rustic campsite situated in a grove of large spruce trees. In the summer time the campsite fills up because there are numerous other attractions and parks in the area.
On the beach a home made driftwood sauna is there to help soothe those tired muscles from a long day of surfing, or sleeping on the ground.
In the Nitinat Lake area you access the West Coast Trail (www.vancouverisland.com/Parks/?id=559) Pacific Rim Provincial Park (www.vancouverisland.com/Parks/?id=404) and the Carmanah Valley. Hiking, biking, boating and fishing are other activities available almost year round in the area.