WICKANINNISH BEACH
Pacific Rim National Park (Long Beach section)

Wickaninnish Beach is part of Vancouver Island's largest sand dune. A beach anomaly created by a string of sandy beaches including Long Beach, Combers Beach and Wickaninnish Beach.

The sandy beach, mostly fine white sand and small pebbles, is a popular destination for many because of the easy-access short paved walkway leading to the Pacific Rim beach from the large parking lot and because of the large size of the beach. There is a picnic shelter prior to the beach and some picnic tables located in the shade of the trees for snack times but they do not enjoy the ocean views... just shade.

Many arrive at Wickaninnish Beach from the many access trails leading down from the major resorts in the area. Visitors arrive at this popular beach to mainly enjoy long beach walks, some family picnic time, ocean swimming, sun tanning, building sand castles, surfing, accessing hiking trails, riding skid boards, etc.

It is such a beautiful large beach! All arrivals to Wickaninnish Beach will be pleasantly surprised at all the room available exploring this sandy paradise. One can set up on the beach in privacy away from the crowds or be part of the crowds and be close to all the marine activity. There are boats passing by, surfers balancing waves, people swimming and many people walking the length of the beach exploring.

The beach is also an access point for two short well groomed trails. One trail is just under 1 kilometres and leads to the smaller South Beach area and the other follows 2.5 kilometres on the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail connecting you to Florencia Bay Beach.

All visitors to the park must have a Park Use Permit.

How to get to Wickaninnish Beach: From the Pacific Rim Hwy look for the road signs indicating the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre. Turn on Wickaninnish Road towards the centre. Pass the centre and continue to the very end and park. A short trail leads to Wickaninnish Beach.