Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Visit

Liked (Florencia Bay Beach): Beach and ocean views, meeting a whimbrel (a shorebird).

Of Note (Florencia Bay Beach): Limited parking (about 30 spots). Also, RVs and trailers not allowed. Tsunami hazard zone, parking pass required, beware of rip currents in the ocean - no lifeguards on duty in the Park.

Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook (9th edition) Park Coordinates: Page 15 (Kennedy Lake) A7, Page 14 (Tofino) G7-G6-F6-E6.

Follow @ihikebc Tweet 

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve occupies a huge area on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. One part of the Park is a famous multi-day West Coast Trail located near Bamfield. Today we have visited another part, which is a series of beaches, popular with surfers, located by Highway 4 near the town of Tofino.

If you plan on camping in a vehicle, note that wild camping opportunities are few near the Park, and overnight parking is not allowed on any of the lots. Also, a parking pass is required, which is good until 4 PM the next day, and is sold at every parking lot, as well as at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre where Highway 4 makes a right turn to head towards Tofino, and a left turn leads to Ucluelet.

There are many different attractions in this part of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and today we have visited four beaches:

1. Here is a photo of the map of this part of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. We have indicated as follows: yellow square on top - Tofino, bottom - Ucluelet.  White square close to Ucluelet - highway split (by Pacific Rim Visitor Centre), where Highway 4 makes a right turn and heads to Tofino. Red squares - the beaches we have visited today - Florence Bay, then Wickininnish, then Combers, and, finally, Long Beach.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Map (Partial)

2. Here is that "white square" spot - Highway 4 split, with Pacific Rim Visitor Centre on the right side (you can buy a parking pass at the ticket machine outside, or at any parking lot).

BC Highway 4 at Pacific Rim Visitor Centre

3. Making a right turn towards Tofino to stay on Highway 4.

BC Highway 4 at Tofino-Ucluelet Highway

4. Now driving west on Highway 4 towards Tofino.

BC Highway 4 West near Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

5-6. About 5 km from the Visitor Centre, make a left turn towards Florencia Bay Beach and Wickininnish Beach.

BC Highway 4 by Florencia Bay Beach and Wickininnish Beach Access Road Turnoff

BC Highway 4 at Florencia Bay Beach and Wickininnish Beach Access Road Turnoff

7. The access road after the turn. It's about 3 km from here to both parking lots - the road splits at some point.

Florencia Bay Beach and Wickininnish Beach Access Road

8. A neat feature on the side of the access road is this electronic sign with three constantly changing messages: the ocean is cold, beware of rip currents, and the wave hazard is...(whatever it is). The wave hazard was moderate during our trip.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Warning Messages Board

9. Here is a sign to Florencia Bay Beach.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Florencia Bay Beach and Wickininnish Beach Access Road

10. Entering the parking area. It's very tight there. RVs are not allowed, and bringing a trailer is not a good idea either.

Florencia Bay Beach Access Road - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - British Columbia Canada

11. After the gate, there is this neat, albeit narrow, road for a few hundred meters.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Near Tofino BC - Florencia Bay Beach Access Road

12. Here is Florencia Bay Beach parking area, good for about 30 vehicles.

Florencia Bay Beach Parking Area

13. Warning messages are placed at each beach access in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Florencia Bay Beach Warning Messages

14. It's about 330 meters from the parking area to Florencia Bay Beach.

Florencia Bay Beach Access Path

15-16. 50 meters from the parking area is Nuu-chah-nulth trailhead to Wickininnish Beach, should you wish to walk there (or from there), as opposed to driving. The photo of the map also shows the access road split, where a left turn leads to Florencia Bay Beach, and going straight leads to Wickininnish Beach.

Florencia Bay Beach Access Path at Nuu-chah-nulth trailhead

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Nuu-chah-nulth Trail Map

17. Shortly thereafter, there is an observation platform.

Florencia Bay Beach Observation Platform

18. In the morning, there was nothing to see due to fog, but here is a neat view from the platform once the fog was gone.

View From Florencia Bay Beach Observation Platform

19. Continuing towards the beach past the observation platform.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Canada - Florencia Bay Beach Access Path

20-21. A long staircase starts about 290 meters from the parking lot.

Staircase to Florencia Bay Beach near Tofino British Columbia

22. 60 meters later, we are at Florencia Bay Beach. This is a morning photo, with lots of fog.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Florencia Bay Beach

23. Not much to see in the fog, but sure feels neat to walk on an almost deserted beach with fog all around.

Florencia Bay Beach in Fog

Here is our video of Florencia Bay Beach in fog.

24. When we returned in the afternoon, the fog was gone, and the beach looked much better.

Florencia Bay Beach near Tofino BC

25. Not nearly as many surfers (or people in general) here as at Long Beach.

Florencia Bay Beach

26. Surfer talk.

Surfers Talking

27-28. We have found a whimbrel (a shorebird) hanging out at Florencia Bay Beach.

Whimbrel at Florencia Bay Beach

Whimbrel

Here is our video of the Whimbrel and Florencia Bay Beach.

Florencia Bay Beach - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - British Columbia Canada

30-32. There is a rugged shoreline in that area.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve British Columbia Canada

We then headed to Wickininnish Beach, and our trip report Continues on Page 2.

Follow @ihikebc Tweet  

ihikebc.com Trip 231 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Visit Page 1 of 4 - Florencia Beach