South Beach

South Beach is a sandy beach destination located in the Pacific Rim National Park near the communities of Tofino and Ucluelet, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The popular beach is both a hiking and beachcombing destination accessed via two different types of hiking trails.

One hiking trail is short and follows a boardwalk trail through a rainforest. The other is longer and travels over some headlands connecting one beach with another.

The short access route leading to the beach is only 1 kilometre long. It is easy, mostly flat and follows a boardwalk path through a rainforest to the beach. Just before the beach is a set of stairs.

The longer route is called the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail. It starts in Florencia Bay and follows a 2.5 kilometre boardwalk trail over Quisiitis Point to South Beach. This route is full of ups and downs and many straight away sections of boardwalk hiking.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Trail also connects to Florencia Bay and Wickaninnish Beach.

South Beach is a popular destination in the region. Some of the summer activities enjoyed at South Beach include building sand castles, swimming, beachcombing, frisbee, bocce ball, picnicking and hiking.

Dressed in rain gear and rubber boots people hike to South Beach in the winter months with binoculars for storm watching. Every year people come to watch the powerful storms crash the coastline, throwing logs and debris in the air.

All visitors to the park must have a Park Use Permit. Pack out what you pack in.

How to get to South Beach from Wickaninnish Beach

From the Pacific Rim Hwy look for the road signs indicating the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre. Turn onto Wickaninnish Road and travel towards the centre. Pass the centre and continue to the very end of the road. Turn left and park. A short 1 kilometre trail leads to South Beach.

How to get to South Beach from Florencia Bay

From the Pacific Rim Hwy look for the road signs indicating the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre. Turn onto Wickaninnish Road and travel towards the centre. On your left will be a sign indicating the parking lot for Florencia Beach. Go there. From parking lot the 2.5 kilometre Nuu-chah-nulth Trail connects to South Beach.