South Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Visitor guidelines
Get park information
Look in this ‘visitor guidelines’ section for general safety instructions and other important information about this park. For the latest information, see advisories.
Stay safe on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
Due to storm damage, there have been major trail closures in this park. At times, the Juan de Fuca Trail has been closed. Always check the advisories before heading out. Additional advisories may be posted at trailhead information shelters.
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a rugged backcountry trail. Hiking conditions are always changing. Your fitness, knowledge, skills, and equipment must meet the challenges of the area. All hikers in your group must be prepared for the following:
- Rough terrain
Watch out for uneven ground, slippery mud, creeks, steep slopes, and embankments - Damaged bridges and boardwalks
Wear and tear and weather damage can quickly impact the condition of hiking infrastructure - Accidents and injuries
Rough terrain and damaged infrastructure increase accident risk, and it can be hours before help arrives - Rain and damp mists
Prolonged wet weather in this area increases the risk of physical injury and can cause hypothermia
No harvesting
Harvesting shellfish, mushrooms, and all other marine life and crops is illegal in this park. The only exceptions are for Indigenous Peoples and harvesting permit holders.
BC Parks is committed to preventing shellfish harvesting in Juan de Fuca Park. All shellfish harvesting is strictly illegal in this park under provincial and federal law.
To report harvesting, call 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) or submit a report at Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP).
Leave a trip plan
Before heading into the backcountry, make a detailed trip plan. Leave it with someone you trust, to help emergency services find your party, if you run into trouble.
Make an ideal trip plan with the AdventureSmart trip plan tool.
Stay safe on beaches
Rogue waves are common on the exposed beaches along Juan de Fuca Park. Watch for unusually large waves that occasionally hit the beach. These waves can pull you into the water. Keep children away from the surf.
When hiking the coast, watch for orange balls. These mark exits from the beach to the trail, where you can reach safety. Beaches may be cut off from the trail during storms and high tides. Check the weather forecast and tide table before heading out.
Tide tables are posted at trailheads and available at local bookstores. Check the Fisheries and Oceans tide table for Port Renfrew. Get more detailed information on water safety in our marine visitor guide.
Swimming and scuba diving not recommended
Juan de Fuca Park often experiences rough surf, rogue waves, high tides, storms, and strong currents. We do not recommend swimming or scuba diving in this park.
This park has no designated swimming areas. No lifeguards are on duty in any BC Parks. Swimming here can be extremely dangerous, especially in the off season or if you are alone.
Scuba diving is not allowed in either of these two areas:
- The foreshore around Botanical Beach and Botany Bay
- The foreshore from Little Kuitsche to Payzant Creek
Stay safe around wildlife
Juan de Fuca Park is prime bear and cougar habitat. On trails, make noise, to prevent unexpected encounters. Be aware that food waste and other scents will attract wildlife.
To learn how you can avoid dangerous encounters, see our wildlife safety page.
Leave No Trace
Juan de Fuca Park contains numerous special natural features, including waterfalls, grottos, old growth forest, estuaries, tide pools, and shale and quartz rock formations.
Always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Minimize impacts on plant and animal life and be considerate of other visitors. Dispose of waste properly.
For detailed information on outdoor ethics, visit the Leave No Trace Canada website.
No drones
Operating drones without permission is illegal in BC Parks. In the rare cases when we grant permission, you must keep your drone away from wildlife and other visitors.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
Juan de Fuca Park is on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island. It extends from China Beach, just west of the community of Jordan River, to Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew. Communities near the park include Port Renfrew, Sooke, Victoria, and Duncan.
You can drive to this park from various points along West Coast Highway 14 between Jordan River and Port Renfrew. China Beach Campground is next to Highway 14, just east of the China Beach Day-Use Area. It is 35 km west of Sooke and 36 km east of Port Renfrew.
Things to do
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail draws many visitors to this park. But there are plenty of other trails throughout Juan de Fuca Park. Look below for details of hiking opportunities in the following areas:
Due to recent storm damage, there have been major trail closures in this park. At times, the Juan de Fuca Trail has been closed. Check advisories for the latest updates.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park, please follow the instructions posted on signs along the trails. Stick to designated trails, as taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.
To download maps with details of hiking trials, see maps and location.
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed as a wilderness hiking trail. BC Parks uses the term ‘wilderness’ to describe any backcountry area that does not have any facilities. Therefore, if you are hiking this trail, you should prepare to be completely self-sufficient.
Hiking conditions are always changing. You should get up-to-date information before heading out on a hike. Check the advisories on this page and the trailhead information shelters at the park. Ongoing trail construction projects and upgrade projects will continue through the coming years.
Trailheads
There are four trailheads to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. These are at Juan de Fuca East (near China Beach), Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek, and Botanical Beach. Day-hiking and multi-day trips can begin at any of these trailheads, which also offer many day-use opportunities.
Trail safety
- Check the advisories and trailhead information shelters for information on conditions and closures, as well as for safety advice
- Please stay on designated trails, avoid shortcuts, and respect the park’s natural environment and cultural heritage
- Due to the potential for conflict with bears, cougars, and other wildlife, we recommend leaving pets at home
- Leave a trip plan with someone you trust, detailing where you are going and when you expect to return
- Trail conditions may change quickly depending on the weather, so be prepared for muddy sections and difficult creeks crossings
- Bring appropriate outerwear and footwear and carry adequate supplies to allow for an emergency on day-hikes or multi-day trips
Bear safety
Do not attract bears and other wildlife to campgrounds. For tips on how to keep wildlife away from camping areas, see the backcountry camping section. To learn more about staying safe in bear country, see the wildlife safety page.
Tides
Some sections of the trail are impassable at high tide. Tide tables are posted at trailheads and available at local bookstores. Check the Fisheries and Oceans tide table for Port Renfrew. Remember to check the PDT times when daylight saving time is in effect.
Ladders
A series of ladders has been installed on the section of trail between Mystic Beach and Bear Beach. Ladders may be challenging for some hikers, especially those traveling with pets.
Botanical Beach area
The western section of this park, around Botanical Beach, has two shorter trails:
- Mill Bay Trail
- Botanical Loop Trail
Mill Bay Trail
The trailhead for the Mill Bay Trail is at a parking area beside the road to Botanical Beach. The trail leads to a small pebble-and-shell beach. Parts of this trail are steep and rough.
Botanical Loop Trail
The Botanical Loop Trail connects two popular parts of Juan de Fuca Park’s western section: Botanical Beach and Botany Bay. This is an easy-to-moderate trail, suitable for those seeking a light walk.
China Beach Day-Use Area
A scenic 1 km trail leads from the China Beach Day-Use Area parking lot through mature forest to the beach. A large viewing deck offers views of the beach and Juan de Fuca Strait. This is an easy-to-moderate trail with some steep sections.
Second Beach Trail
Second Beach can be reached from China Beach Campground via stairs and a 1 km, somewhat steep gravel trail. This is a 15-to-20-minute hike, each way, through the mature forest.
Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and western red cedar leads you to the ocean. Benches along the way provide spots to stop and enjoy views of the tumultuous Juan de Fuca Strait.
Canoeing and kayaking opportunities are available at Juan de Fuca Park, for paddlers with the appropriate skill level. Extreme conditions and strong currents are common in the waters off the coast of this park.
Canoeing and kayaking opportunities are available at Juan de Fuca Park, for paddlers with the appropriate skill level. Extreme conditions and strong currents are common in the waters off the coast of this park.
Juan de Fuca Park offers opportunities for saltwater fishing. Fishing is allowed in line with provincial and federal fishing regulations. Please check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada before fishing.
Fishing is prohibited in two areas of this park:
- Botanical Beach
- Parkinson Creek from Little Kuitsche Creek to about Payzant Creek
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Interpretive services are available in the Botanical Beach area. For more information, please contact the park operator.
Botanical Beach offers one of the richest tidal areas along the west coast. There are excellent opportunities for viewing marine life in these tide pools. A low tide of 1.2 m or less is best for viewing the tide pools.
Before visiting to view tide pools, check the tide tables. These are posted at trailheads and are available at local bookstores. Check the Fisheries and Oceans tide table for Port Renfrew.
Do not remove, collect, or disturb any tide pool life, shells, plants, flowers, kelp, or other natural objects. Even touching the water in a tide pool with sunscreen on your hands can kill the vulnerable creatures in this sensitive ecosystem.
There are also opportunities to view grey, killer, and humpback whales. The best time to see grey whales is during their migration in March and April. Seals and sea lions can often be seen playing offshore. Marine birds can also be spotted.
Dogs and other domestic animals are welcome but must leashed. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their waste. Dogs are allowed on China Beach and at the China Beach Day-Use Area.
Dogs are allowed on trails. However, backcountry areas of this park are not suitable for dogs or other pets. There is a high potential for conflicts with bears, cougars, and other wildlife.
Bicycles must keep to roads in Juan de Fuca Park. Cycling on park trails is not allowed, including on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Logging roads in the area may be available for mountain biking. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. For information on bicycles with electric assist motors, see e-biking.
Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails in Juan de Fuca Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motor vehicles are allowed. The only exception is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Sombrio Beach is a world-class surfing area, primarily in the winter months. Windsurfing is also a popular activity in this area.
About this park
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail was created as an enduring reminder of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. Construction and preservation of the trail has been made possible by the efforts of First Nations, local industries, government, and individual citizens.
Trail upgrades have been undertaken with funding from Forest Renewal BC and the Environment Youth Team. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail was originally part of a lifesaving trail that serviced this area, known at the time as the Graveyard of the Pacific.
Juan de Fuca Park was established to protect significant marine tide pool life at Botanical Beach. Starfish, sea urchins, white gooseneck barnacles, blue mussels, green sea anemones, sea cucumbers, and much more can be found here. The park also protects black bear and cougar habitat.
Do not remove, collect or disturb any tide pool life, shells, plants, flowers, kelp, or other natural objects. These items are all protected under the Park Act. Even touching the water in a tide pool with sunscreen on your hands can kill the vulnerable creatures in this sensitive ecosystem.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by RLC Park Services. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
