San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve
French Beach Provincial Park
Jordan River Regional Park
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park is a spectacular area that gives you a chance to enjoy marine life and wildlife viewing. You can experience delightful hiking and be pleased with various activities along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca on southern Vancouver Island.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park's primary role is to protect a picturesque and unique shoreline area between Sooke and Port Renfrew along the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
This park is home to many large species of west coast mammals such as deer, cougar, wolf, black bear, otter, sea lion and seals, white gooseneck barnacles, purple and orange starfish and sea urchins, sea cucumbers, blue mussels and green sea anemones.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park is on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island. It is located 35 km (22 miles) west of Sooke and south of Port Renfrew, British Columbia. The park consists of four main areas: the China Beach Campground, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, the China Beach day-use area, and Botanical Beach.
China Beach campground and the China Beach day-use area are at the east. China Beach Campground is in the forest, off-highway 14, and you can reach the beach by a short walk.
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a well-known 47 km (29 miles) wilderness hiking trail along the western shoreline of Vancouver Island, which is glorious.
Botanical Beach at the south of Juan de Fuca Park has 251 hectares (620 acres) of upland habitat and is famous for its tidal pools.
Some other beaches in the area include Middle Beach, Sombrio Beach, and Mystic Beach.
Hidden Falls or Sombrio Beach Falls is a landmark near Sombrio Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.
From Victoria:
The Fastest route from Victoria is via Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W, which 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 for 109 km (67.7 miles). Continue straight onto Cerantes Rd and drive 5.3 km (3.2 miles) to reach the park.
From Nanaimo:
Nanaimo's fastest route to Juan De Fuca Provincial Park is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and Pacific Marine Rd, which is 138 km (85.7miles) and takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S, Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W and Pacific Marine Rd to Parkinson Rd in Port Renfrew for 133 km (82.6 miles). Continue straight onto Cerantes Rd and drive 5.3 km (3.2 miles) to reach the park.
1. Juan De Fuca Marine Trail to Mystic Beach Outlook is an out-and-back easy trail near Victoria. It has a 4 km (2.48 miles) length and 157 m (515 ft) of elevation gain. Juan De Fuca Marine Trail to Mystic Beach Outlook features beautiful wildflowers and is mostly used for hiking (be prepared for muddy trails, uneven terrain, rocky shores and boulders). The best time to use this trail is from May until October. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be kept on a leash.
2. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a point-to-point difficult trail near Capital Regional District. It has a length of 50.5 km (31.3 miles) and 1587 m (5206 ft) of elevation gain. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail features a river and offers several activities. The best time to use this trail is from April until October. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be kept on a leash.
3. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and Botanical Beach Loop Trail is near Capital Regional District. This easy trail has a 2.9 km (1.8 miles) length and 66 m (216 ft) elevation gain. Juan De Fuca Marine Trail to Mystic Beach Outlook is a year-round trail and features beautiful wildflowers. It is mostly used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. Dogs must be kept on a leash.
4. Sombrio Beach Trail is an out-and-back easy trail near Gordon River 2. It has a 1.4 km (0.86 miles) length, 22 m (72 ft) of elevation gain. Sombrio Beach Trail allows seeing wildlife and offers some activities.
5. Juan De Fuca Marine Trail: Mystic Beach to Bear Beach is a Point to Point moderate trail near Capital Regional District. It has a 10.3 km (6.4 miles) length and 394 m (1292feet) of elevation gain. The trail allows seeing wildlife and offers several activities. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be kept on a leash.
6. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: East Sombrio Beach to Botanical Beach is a Point to Point moderate trail near Capital Regional District. It has a 15.3 km (9.5 miles) length and 313 m (1026 ft) elevation gain. The trail gives an opportunity to see wildlife and is mostly used for hiking, camping, backpacking, and nature trips.
7. Sea Lion Caves is an out-and-back easy trail near Capital Regional District. It has a 5.8 km (3.6 miles) length and 209 m (685 ft) of elevation gain. Sea Lion Caves trail allows seeing wildlife and is mainly used for hiking, running, and nature trips.
8. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Bear Beach to Chin is a Point to Point moderate trail near Capital Regional District. It has a 12.2 km (7.58 miles) length and 688 m (2257 ft) elevation gain. The trail features beautiful wildflowers and is mostly used for hiking, camping, backpacking, and nature trips. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be kept on a leash.
9. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Chin Beach to East Sombrio Beach is a point-to-point moderate trail near Capital Regional District. It has a 6.9 km (4.2 miles) length and 157 m (515 ft) elevation gain. The trail allows seeing wildlife and is mostly used for hiking, camping, backpacking, and nature trips. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be kept on a leash.
10. Bear Beach is an out-and-back easy trail near Capital Regional District. It has a 2.6 km (1.6 miles) length and 106 m (347 ft) elevation gain. Bear Beach allows seeing wildlife and is mainly used for hiking.
11. Mill Bay Trail is an out-and-back easy trail near Capital Regional District. It has a 1.9 km (1.18 miles) length and 42 m (137 ft) of elevation gain. Mill Bay allows seeing wildlife and is mostly used for hiking, running and nature trips.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park was established on April 4, 1996. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail was built through the Commonwealth Nature Heritage to remind the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. The trail was named after the Greek marine pilot who served the Spanish King Phillip II.
This general area of Vancouver Island was recognized as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" because of the number of shipwrecks that happened here.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park is a magnificent area with opportunities to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing, experience exciting hiking and wilderness camping. You will be pleased with various marine activities such as fishing, kayaking & canoeing, surfing and windsurfing. Based on the BC Act, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.
