Botanical Beach
Mystic Beach
China Beach
French 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
