Port renfrew

Stretching from the ornate colonial capital of Victoria to the rocky headlands and windswept beaches of Cape Scott, Vancouver Island boasts one of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems, owing to its untamed shorelines, snow-capped mountains, and old-growth forests. Famed as an idyllic summer sanctuary as well as a surfer’s paradise, its endless list of wild adventures is enjoyed by vibrant, quirky communities bound by a passion for the great outdoors.

On the rugged south shores of Vancouver Island are the ancient old growth forests of Port Renfrew. Discover these giants and why they need you to visit.

Avatar Grove is one of the highlights of a visit to the Port Renfrew area and well worth a visit whether you decide to make the drive to Port Renfrew just to see the grove or if you take it in as part of your visit to this spectacular part of Vancouver Island.

If you need us, we’ll be here 🌲😴 For more cozy PNW cabin inspiration, check out TheMandagies.com! We share the best PNW getaways, PNW airbnbs, and so many more remote cabins for rent! #pacificnorthwest #cabins 🏠: @ferngullycabins

“Do you know this area well?” We’re dripping with mud in front of a display board near Sombrio Beach on Vancouver Island’s west coast, when three passing hikers strike up a conversation. “Well, we used to,” says my partner, David, wiping the muck off his face. Mud is our fashion statement and it’s impossible to tell where the hiking boots start and the jeans end. We had been on a mission trying to find the elusive falls that tumble down […]

Botanical Beach is close to Port Renfrew on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, at the very north end at the long but narrow ribbon-like stretch of coastline protected in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. From the wave-beaten shores of Botanical Beach it's possible to see (on a clear day) spectacular views of the Olympic Peninsula to the south and the endless Pacific Ocean stretching out towards the horizon beyond.

Check out this guide to learn exactly where to find the Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree, one of the hidden gems on Vancouver Island!

What to do on a trip to Port Renfrew, BC - near the start of both the West Coast Trail & Juan de Fuca Trail #VancouverIsland #PortRenfrew #westcoast #thingstodo #hiking

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots. After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world. Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today…

Our Instagrammer of the week, @ryanfloodphoto, shares seven of his favourite photos taken between Victoria and Port Renfrew.