Situated in Juan de Fuca Park, an hour and 45 minutes west of Victoria, the remote Sombrio Beach is a small but spectacular slice of heaven. According to Tourism Victoria, it’s home to the most accessible backcountry camping options in the province, and is a popular surf spot practically year-round.
In addition to its wild shores and two sea caves, the beach consists of a majestic hidden waterfall inside a canyon, a towering sea stack, and a famous sphinx rock formation. Visitors who venture further into the beach along the historic Juan de Fuca Marine Trail can uncover another beautiful waterfall spilling directly into the ocean.
In terms of wildlife, Humpback whales, orcas, and seals are frequent beach-goers here.
A major stop on the 47 km wilderness trail, Sombrio Beach also offers visitors convenient access to the remaining rugged coastline, which can be accessed via three additional trailheads: Juan de Fuca East (China Beach), Parkinson Creek, and Botanical Beach.
While most of the trail is designed with multi-day hiking and backpacking in mind, BC Parks says there are “some easy-to-moderate day hikes” for those who aren’t looking to extend their trip past a day or two.
Note that Sombrio Beach and the area surrounding it have limited cell reception, so be sure to plan ahead and take all precautions necessary when entering backcountry terrain. Tourism Victoria asks that visitors not disturb the wildlife or remove any natural items such as rocks or seashells from the beach.
As well, remember to exercise caution when exploring the park at high tide, as rip currents are possible in the surf.
Looking for the hidden waterfall? Follow the signs for East Sombrio and cross a small bridge as the trail leads you out to the beach.
How to get there: Take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, to Nanaimo and drive two hours and 18 minutes to Sombrio Beach via Trans-Canada Highway/BC-1 S and Pacific Marine Rd.
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