Vancouver BC

[Scott Rosenberg]

the wife and i are planning a trip in late may, and she has suggested heading north to Vancouver Island. i've been doing a bit of net-vestigating and it seems like the area is simply sublime! with so many amazing places to explore, it's difficult to pick just two - we've only got a week and would rather get to know one or two places a little than try to cram 7 spots in 7 days. Strathcona Provincial Park is high on our list presently.

anyhow, i'd be extremely grateful for any suggestions on great places to hike and shoot... something to help us narrow down the possibilities.

thanks in advance,

[Bruce Pollock]

I live in Victoria and my number one favourite place to take my camera on Vancouver Island is Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew on the south west coast. It's at the end of the Juan de Fuca Trail with plenty of areas to explore along the way. It's accessible by car most of the way in - about 1 km or so from the parking lot to the beach. Here are a couple of links for more information:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp.../juanfuca.html

http://portrenfrew.com/botbeach.htm

Another great area is the west coast. Pacific Rim Park between Ucluelet and Tofino is great - long sandy beaches and great rain forest sights. Tofino is becoming a major tourist destination.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/index_e.asp

Have fun!

[erie patsellis]

Agreed, the entire drive from Sooke to Port Renfrew will take your breath away, I can't wait to go back...


erie

[Simon Benton]

Vancouver Island is one of Canada's best kept secret secrets. It is a truly a lovely place to visit and live. I have travelled all over the island and there are so many beautiful places to explore. It is also civilized in that there are many great pubs and restaurants which are actually open all year round. (Unlike Canada's east coast, which is also very beautiful, but only seems to be open May to September). Last year I went fishing at Winter Harbour (top North West of the island) - truly magnificent scenery. If you are in the Tofino area have lunch at the Wickaninnish Inn - a truly memorable experience watching the waves pound just below you. Enjoy and spend lots of money - Canada needs it!

[Merg Ross]

Hi Scott -
Vancouver Island is fraught with fantastic scenery and very accommodating to those wishing to camp out. On the east coast, just south of Courtenay, I think you would enjoy Hornby Island and the area around Tribune Bay on that island. The Pacific Rim, as mentioned already, is well worth a visit and you may want to check out the area around Buttle Lake. After your initial visit I bet you will want to return!

[David Luttmann]

I live in Victoria and my number one favourite place to take my camera on Vancouver Island is Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew on the south west coast. It's at the end of the Juan de Fuca Trail with plenty of areas to explore along the way. It's accessible by car most of the way in - about 1 km or so from the parking lot to the beach. Here are a couple of links for more information:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp.../juanfuca.html

http://portrenfrew.com/botbeach.htm

Another great area is the west coast. Pacific Rim Park between Ucluelet and Tofino is great - long sandy beaches and great rain forest sights. Tofino is becoming a major tourist destination.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/index_e.asp

Have fun!

You beat me to it Bruce. Botanical was the first place that came to mind. Here is a link to some recent shots. With the exception to slides 18,19,20, all the shots are around Tofino, Whittys Lagoon, and Botanical Beach. The B&W image, slide 2, is botanical beach rock formations. You'll have fun there. Make sure you go during low tide and earlier in the morning to avoid crowds of people....which make photography next to impossible.

http://members.shaw.ca/daveandclaire/amanda/index.html

Good luck. And to the original poster, send me a private message if you want more details, or if you want photo company.

[Scott Rosenberg]

thanks for all the suggestions, fellas. as suspected, sounds like whatever we settle on will be spectacular. i appreciate the assistance, i'm sure the trip will be a special one, and the first of several to VI.