Botanical Beach, Port Renfrew, BC
There are two ways to get to Port Renfrew. The standard way is to drive north from Victoria up highway 14. Or for a more unique experience, take the old logging road that heads southwest from Lake Cowichan. This road has been paved, but is not well known. Be sure to check the weather before you go and come prepared, as there are no gas stations, homes, or businesses as well as poor reception along the route.
A short drive from Port Renfrew is the Juan De Fuca Provincial Park where you can take a short hike and discover both Botany Bay and Botanical Beach.
Botany Bay
The quickest way to Botany Bay is to take the path from the parking lot that has the outhouses at the beginning of it. This path will take you straight down to Botany Bay. The trail is wide but is not paved and there are loose rocks that slide. The last portion is a staircase to the beach.
The beach is a wonderful place to sit on a log and watch the waves come crashing in. The children really enjoyed playing in the small creek that runs through the beach.
Botanical Beach
It is one of the trailheads for the Juan de Fuca Trail. The best time to visit is during low tide so that you can check out the tidal pools in the rock. You might luck out and find lots of neat ocean life in the pools, like starfish! There are signs up though to beware of rough waves. If you have young ones with you I’d recommend keeping them within arms length.
