Trip 231 - September 1, 2021 (Wednesday)
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Visit
Near Tofino BC Canada
Page 2 of 4 - Wickininnish Beach
Liked (Wickininnish Beach): Beach and ocean views, parking very close to the ocean.
Of Note (Wickininnish Beach): Tsunami hazard zone, parking pass required, beware of rip currents in the ocean - no lifeguards on duty at the Park.
Related Website: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Official Website.
Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook (9th edition) Park Coordinates:
Page 15 (Kennedy Lake) A7, Page 14 (Tofino) G7-G6-F6-E6.
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.
Highway 4 starts on the East coast of Vancouver Island near Parksville, goes through Port Alberni (the last town with major stores and services), then reaches tiny Tofino 2 hours and 120 kilometers later.
Surfing is the main activity in this part of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, as the few trails that exist here are quite short. The best hike in this part of British Columbia - Wild Pacific Trail - is actually about 30 kilometers away near Ucluelet.
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 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:
Page 1 - Florencia Bay Beach.
Page 2 - Wickininnish Beach (this page) - same turnoff from Highway 4 as Florencia Bay Beach, then a split.
Page 3 - Combers Beach - long access from parking lot, no surfers usually make it there.
Page 4 - Long Beach - most popular with surfers and visitors, with a famous Lovekin Rock in the ocean.
Wickininnish Beach was the only place where fog still persisted in the afternoon, so we could not get a full appreciation of its beauty. Nonetheless, there is more parking here than at Florencia Bay, and bigger vehicles would fit quite nicely. As well, the beach is only a hundred meters away, much closer than at Florencia Bay Beach.
33. We have turned left from Florencia Bay Beach access road, and are heading towards Wickininnish Beach, located about 3 kilometers from Highway 4 turnoff.
Wickininnish Beach Access Road
34. At the T-junction, turn right. Turning left would lead to Kwisitis Visitor Centre.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Wickininnish Beach Access Road
35. Wickininnish Beach access road after the turn.
Wickininnish Beach Access Road near Tofino BC Canada
36. And here is the parking lot for Wickininnish Beach. Another large lot is to the left of where we are standing.
Wickininnish Beach Parking Lot
37. A gazebo by the parking lot.
Wickininnish Beach Parking Lot Gazebo
38. Access path to Wickininnish Beach has the same warning messages as all the other beaches.
Wickinninish Beach Warning Messages
39. The access path is less than 100 meters long.
Wickinninish Beach Access Path
40. Entering Wickininnish Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino BC.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Wickininnish Beach Entrance
41. A surfing lesson in progress.
Surfing Lesson
42. A lone surfer in the fog.
Surfer Walking in the Fog
43. Wickininnish Beach shelter.
Wickininnish Beach Man-Made Shelter
44. Wickininnish Beach itself.
Wickininnish Beach
We then went to Combers Beach, and our trip report Continues on Page 3.
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ihikebc.com Trip 231 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Visit Page 2 of 4 - Wickininnish Beach