Pacific Rim
Stand in a ancient rainforest, gazing in awe as age-old trees rise through mist and cloud to the heavens. Kayak among clusters of alluring islands, their inner waters a visual feast of marine life, their rocky shores a refuge to twisted cedars, secret caves and startling blowholes. Sit on soft-sand beaches to watch for whales, or to absorb the healing energy of a shimmering sunset, or to confront the winter storms that furiously pummel the coast.
You are here: at the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, land of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. This is the essence of British Columbia—wild, free, flowing and yes, spiritual.
Find out more about Pacific Rim National Park Reserve:
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Communities:
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 Port Alberni and the pastoral Alberni Valley serve as the gateway to BC’s west coast.
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 Tofino sits on a narrow peninsula bordered by Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west, north and east.
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 Ucluelet is one of only a few population centres on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Its name means "safe landing place" in the language of the Nuu-chah-nulth people who have lived here for at least 4,300 years.
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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Facts
- The park is situated on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast.
- Its borders run from north of Clayoquot Sound to south of Bam field and inland as far as Port Alberni.
- Port Alberni is the largest population centre in the area and home of the McLean Mill National Historic Site.
- Visitors often base themselves in Tofino and Ucluelet, the area's most popular vacation destinations
- Hot Springs Cove, the only hot spring on Vancouver Island, is located north of Tofino and is accessible by boat or seaplane.
- You can reach the park from the mainland by car and BC Ferries or by float plane.
Land Activities
The culture here— the dramatic old-growth forest and sprawling beaches— is outside. Come celebrate it:
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- Learn about the area’s natural and cultural heritage at Pacific Rim’s interpretive centre.
- Head to Clayoquot Sound to explore one of the largest areas of ancient temperate rainforest left in the world.
- There are many walking paths and hiking routes within the park including the West Coast Trail, a rugged, 75-km (47-mi), once-in-a-lifetime journey (reserve a date well in advance).
- Be sure to walk along or lounge on the area’s expansive beaches, renowned for their soft sand and mind-blowing scenery. Popular beaches include Long, Chesterman and MacKenzie.
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Kayaking
Boasting deep inlets, multiple islands and a surfeit of protected nooks and crannies, the area’s waterways were seemingly carved for kayakers:
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- Clayoquot Sound: Beaches, headlands, old-growth rainforest, protected inner waterways, miles of rocky coastline and a veritable cornucopia of marine wildlife – does paddling get better than this?
- The Broken Group Islands: This archipelago is one of the world's premier sea kayaking destinations. Discover more than 100 secluded islands and their sheltered waterways.
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Whale Watching and Storm Watching
Watch nature at its most awesome and powerful:
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- Whales: About 22,000 grey whales pass through en route to their Arctic feeding grounds in March and April; from May to October many whales call these waters home. Look for humpbacks and orcas as well, in addition to seals and sea lions.
- Watch from land or take a guided tour on the water.
- Storms: Starting late fall and continuing through winter the coastal area becomes a coveted storm-watching destination as epic squalls beat down on the coast.
- Watch from the comfort of luxurious lodges perched on beach cliffs.
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