Wickaninnish Beach is a large stunning beach in the Pacific Rim region with one of the extensive sand dunes in the area. This sandy beach has large spots for making a little fire to warm up, watching the sun touch the ocean. It is proper for a long walk with the lack of rocks, suits children's taste running freely. When you first walk on this endless beach, driftwoods can draw your attention. Sit on one of them and watch the waves that come and back, which may turn into a storm in winter.
Wickaninnish Beach can be considered the best beach from Tofino to Ucluelet. You have a beautiful ocean view with kilometres of sands. There is a unique path that goes in the middle of the forest, which exists behind the beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Long Beach Unit. The scenery is just breathtaking, all plants covered by mass, and you can see them at the beach entrance. There are some cliffs at the beach so you can watch these incredible views from the top. You may not find any quieter beach nearby for relaxing, walking, swimming, and surfing.
Wickaninnish Beach is located west of Vancouver Island near Tofino and Long Beach. The area around the beach is rich and includes extensive forests, lakes, and creeks. Forests surrounding the beach are famous because of breathtaking trails; Shorepine Bog Trail and Rainforest Trail are two brilliant of them with less than 10 km (6.2 miles) distance from Wickaninnish Beach. In the east of the beach, Kennedy Lake Provincial Park is located 15.9 km (9.8 miles) away. It's a stunning waterfront park with swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and picnic areas in a picturesque setting.
From Nanaimo:
Getting to Wickaninnish Beach from Nanaimo is via BC-4 W. The whole way is 184 km (114.3 miles) and takes about 2 hours and a half.
Go on to the west on Fitzwilliam St toward Wesley St for 800 m (2624.6 ft). Continue onto Third St for 1.9 km (1.1 miles), follow Jingle Pot Rd. After 650 m (2132.5 ft), turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). Drive 41.3 km (25.6 miles) and take exit 60 toward Port Alberni for 1.5 km (0.9 miles). The route merges onto Memorial Rd/BC-4 W. Follow the road for 128 km (79.5 miles). Turn right onto Pacific Rim Hwy/BC-4 W, and after 9.8 km (6 miles), you will reach Wickaninnish Beach.
From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria to Wickaninnish Beach is Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-4 W. It is 295 km (183.3 miles) and takes about 4 hours.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Memorial Rd/BC-4 W in Nanaimo G. Take exit 60 from BC-19 N and drive 155 km (96.3 miles). Drive to Pacific Rim Hwy/BC-4 W in Alberni-Clayoquot C and go on for 138 km (85.7 miles) to reach the beach.
Wickaninnish Beach has an out-and-back hiking trail with 0.8 km (0.4 miles) length. The difficulty level is easy, and the elevation gain is 26 meters (85.3 ft), making it suitable for all skill levels.
The beach is called after Chief Wickaninnish, who ruled the Clayoquot Sound in the 1700s.
His primary name is also transliterated Wickaninish, Wickananish, Huiquinanichi, Wikinanish, Quiquinanis, and he was also known as Hiyoua.
Wickaninnish is one of the best places in the Pacific Rim area to lie down in the sun and enjoy the pleasure of sunbathing. Sandy beaches usually offer an excellent swimming area, and Wickaninnish Beach is no exception. Surfing here is popular for beginners and pros, and one of the reasons for that is winds, which are strong and making big waves in most months of the year. Kayaking is commonly accepted in Wickaninnish Beach because of the great water and weather condition.
Despite the fantastic view and great weather here, it is not so much busy, so you can freely relax and enjoy the peace and the pleasant heat of the sun. This beach is excellent for surfing;the waves are higher than Long Beach, and the smell of saltwater and the sound of the waves that come to the shoreline is lovable. If you are interested in fishing, Halibut and Salmon are available to catch here. Being close to Tofino, Ucluelet, several parks, and beaches allow you to enjoy other water activities and non-water activities.