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Botanical Beach

Botanical Beach is full of life; many marine plants and animals live in the tidal pools at the shoreline. These pools are like multiple small aquariums between the rocks where you can see crabs, urchins, and seals. Please pay attention to rocks covered with seaweed and barnacles. They are mostly slippery and sharp and, as mentioned, full of living animals, so try not to harm yourself and them. At Botanical Beach, you have the blue ocean in front and a green forest behind. In March and April, you have the chance of watching orcas or killer whales in the ocean when they are in annual migration. Make the best use of your time so that you won't regret it later.


Botanical Beach Location

Botanical Beach is located southwest of Vancouver Island in Botanical Beach Provincial Park and near Port Renfrew. Visiting fabulous Botanical Beach and incredible Juan De Fuca Provincial Park at the same time can give you lots of choices for adventure. Another place near Botanical Beach worth visiting is Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree, with an 11.7 km (7.2 miles) distance. Fairy Lake is known for a single tree that is in the middle of the lake. Many photographers come to this lake and the breathtaking surrounding areas for unique photos.


How to Get to Botanical Beach by Car

From Nanaimo:
Getting to Botanical Beach from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and Pacific Marine Rd. The whole route is 138 km (85.7 miles) and takes about 2 hours.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S, Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W and Pacific Marine Rd to Parkinson Rd in Port Renfrew and drive 133 km (82.6 miles). Follow Cerantes Rd, and after 5.2 km (3.2 miles), you will reach the beach.

From Victoria:
The best route from Victoria to Botanical Beach is Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W. It is 114 km (70.8 miles) and takes about 2 hours.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W to Parkinson Rd in Port Renfrew and drive 109 km (67.7 miles). Go on to Cerantes Rd, and after 5.2 km (3.2 miles), you will reach the beach.


The Hike to Get to Botanical Beach

Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and Botanical Beach Loop Trail is a 2.9 km (1.8 miles) moderately trafficked loop. It is easy with 66 meters (216.56 ft) elevation gain. Bird watching, hiking, walking, and nature trips are popular here and accessible year-round. Dogs can use this path but must be kept on a leash. Please pay attention to orange balls as you are hiking. They show an exit from the beach to the trail. Beaches may be cut off from the trail during high tides and storms.


History of Botanical Beach

The region around Botanical Beach is biologically significant. The abundance of life made Dr. Josephine Tildon choose Botanical Beach as the University of Minnesota's marine station in 1900. Students and researchers from all over the world came to study here until 1906. Conway MacMillan, an American botanist, retired from the University of Minnesota after the university refused to take land ownership in a different country. After the University of Minnesota, the University of British Columbia, University of Washington, University of Victoria, and Simon Fraser University have researched the area.


Things to do around the Botanical Beach Area

Before doing any activity in Botanical Beach, remember that this beach is at the edge of the ocean, a strong one. Swimming is not recommended due to this point but if you want to try it, the best time is from June to September, the same time for sunbathing. Each month in Botanical Beach, there are some activities to be highlights of your trip. In March and April, Botanical Beach offers a great view of migration orca whales when they are en route to Alaska from their breeding grounds in Baja, Mexico. Camping is also permitted in the area near the park, but be aware of bears living in Juan De Fuca Provincial Park. Oceans are always mysterious. Go for the adventure of scuba diving and find out some of these mysteries. Remember to check the water condition before diving. The park is fringed by wildlife, from birds to bears. Don't skip hiking the trails and even storm-watching from the top hills.

The Best Beaches Near Botanical Beach

Botanical Beach

Botanical Beach

Mystic Beach

Mystic Beach

China Beach

China Beach

French Beach

French Beach

Sandcut Beach

Sandcut Beach

Botanical Beach Activities

Storm Watching

Storm watching in rocky Botanical Beach is more stunning than other beaches because of the strong ocean and rocks.

Kayaking, Canoeing

The easy access and stunning view made Botanical Beach a hot spot for kayaking and canoeing.

Fishing

Sit on the rocks near the ocean or take a boat and enjoy salt-water fishing for salmon.

Whale watching

Watching whales is not something that happens every day. Try not to lose that on Botanical Beach.

Hiking

Fresh your soul while hiking in the green nature of Juan De Fuca Provincial Park with the view of Botanical Beach.

Windsurfing

A suitable wind is a requirement for this sport, and Botanical Beach has the best winds in surrounded area to complete your enjoyment.

Scuba diving

Explore under the ocean to see amazing marine creatures.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Botanical Beach

Port Renfrew Whale Watching

Port Renfrew Whale Watching

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Port Renfrew Kayaking

Port Renfrew Kayaking

Jordan River Kayaking

Jordan River Kayaking

Camping in French Beach Provincial Park Campground

Camping in French Beach Provincial Park Campground

Camping in the Jordan River Regional Park Campground

Camping in the Jordan River Regional Park Campground

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Camping in the China Beach Campground

Camping in the China Beach Campground

Jordan River Storm Watching

Jordan River Storm Watching

Botanical Beach Storm Watching

Botanical Beach Storm Watching

Sombrio Beach Storm Watching

Sombrio Beach Storm Watching

China Beach Storm Watching

China Beach Storm Watching

French Beach Storm Watching

French Beach Storm Watching

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Sombrio Beach Surfing

Sombrio Beach Surfing

Botanical Beach Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing


1. The numbers are estimated on average.

What you Can Expect to See Near Botanical Beach

Port Renfrew

Port Renfrew

Botanical Beach

Botanical Beach

Jordan River (Settlement)

Jordan River (Settlement)

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

Mystic Beach

Mystic Beach

Nitinat Caves

Nitinat Caves

China Beach

China Beach

French Beach

French Beach

French Beach Provincial Park

French Beach Provincial Park

Jordan River Regional Park

Jordan River Regional Park

Seymour Range

Seymour Range

Mystic Beach Waterfall

Mystic Beach Waterfall

Sandcut Beach Waterfall

Sandcut Beach Waterfall

Juan De Fuca Provincial Park

Juan De Fuca Provincial Park

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

Planning for Botanical Beach

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing

1.Dogs must be kept on a leash all the time.


What Do You Think about Botanical Beach?