Spanning kilometres of long, sandy beaches, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is truly a bucket list gem in B.C. worth exploring, especially as the weather heats up. Situated on the traditional territories of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, the spectacular reserve features unspoiled rainforests and scenic shorelines that will leave an impression of a lifetime.
A beacon for B.C.’s natural beauty and the longest beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Long Beach (Yaaqsis) is considered one of the world’s best beaches, earning numerous accolades over the years. Visitors here enjoy year-round surfing at Canada’s surf capital, beachcombing, exploring tide pools, and hiking through the Island’s temperate rainforest, passing gigantic western red cedars and western hemlock.
Tourism Tofino adds that its giant boulders, known as the Incinerator and Lovekin Rocks, make it an even more iconic destination. So, whether you’re planning a beach picnic or a weekend trek, Long Beach is the perfect escape.
Ready for a hiking adventure? Here are all the trails you can discover during your visit:
- Willowbrae Trail (1.4 km one-way)
- Halfmoon Bay Trail (1.8 km one-way)
- South Beach Trail (800 metres one-way)
- Nuu-chah-nulth Trail (2.5 km one-way)
- Shorepine Bog Trail (800 metres loop)
- Rainforest Trails A and B (each loop one km)
- Combers Beach Trail (500 metres one-way)
- Schooner Cove Trail (one km one-way)
Note that local rip currents can be dangerous, so be sure to check Parks Canada’s “no-go” zones before embarking on your coastal adventure.
Looking for even more beaches to roam on your next trip to Tofino? You can spend days wandering the beaches between Tofino and Ucluelet, which consist of Long Beach, Radar Beach, Combers Beach, and Wickaninnish Beach. Together, they comprise the Long Beach Unit, stretching for a glorious 25 km.
Park visitors can also explore the boat-accessible Broken Group Islands, which house stunning shell beaches and the sheltered bays of Barkley Sound.
How to get there: Take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, to Nanaimo and drive two hours and 23 minutes to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve via BC-4 W.
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