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| FISHING | WHALE WATCHING | HIKING | SURFING | BIRD WATCHING | WILDLIFE | PADDLING | STORM WATCHING | ||||||||
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Port Renfrew boasts one of the few untouched trophy fisheries close to a major metropolitan area with airport-access anywhere in North America. Port Renfrew is the first place where migratory salmon from the open ocean and Swiftsure Bank encounter land on their spawning migrations to rivers in southern British Columbia. Salmon (coho, pink, sockeye and chum) runs move through local waters 12 months of the year. Home to some of the Continents most spectacular saltwater fishing, Port Renfrew serves up trophy halibut and salmon for anglers of all levels. Quite amazing since it is only 90 minutes from metropolitan Victoria! The area is also a fly-fishers gem, where northern Coho salmon reaching 25 Lbs congregate by the harbor mouth a short boat ride from town. Sitting at the delta of two rivers, Port Renfrew also offers great year round fresh water fishing. Nearby Fairy Lake boast Cutthroat Trout and Dolly Varden while Rainbow trout may be caught in Lizard Lake. Gordon River is famous for steelhead fishing. Fishing Tournaments Fishing Information: www.portrenfrewmarina.com www.bcadventure.com/adventure/angling/protalk/reid/hotspot/renfrew.phtml www.crd.bc.ca/jdf/tourism/fishing.htm?tn Charters: Pacific Sportsfishing Charters: www.pacificsportsfishing.ca 1-866-537- 2838 Hindsight Fishing Charters: www.hindsightfishing.com 1-866-642-7393 Jolly Rogers Fishing Adventures: www.vancouverislandfishing.ca 1-888-534-7422 Ocean Mist Retreat: www.oceanmistretreat.com 1-877-743-2985 Port Renfrew Fishing Adventures: www.fishingportrenfrew.ca 1-250-642-2587 Island Outfitters (fresh & saltwater fishing): www.fishingvictoria.com 1-250-475-4969 Trailhead Resort & Charters: www.trailhead-resort.com 1-250-647-5468 SeaWind Fishing Adventures: www.seawindfishing.com Fishing Maps: www.discoverportrenfrew.com/activities-freshwater.htm (see trails, etc. 3-4 great maps) back to top |
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From epic weeklong treks to after-lunch strolls, Port Renfrew has trails for all abilities. The areas plentiful logging roads and abundance of protected eco-systems combine for rare glimpses of intact eco-systems. Hikers in Port Renfrew will enjoy untouched beaches, waterfalls, rainforest summits, and stunning old growth forest - right in their backyards! There are more then a dozen well marked and maintained hiking trails, ranging from a 45-minute loop leading to the world famous, 1000-year old Red Creek Fir (the largest known Douglas Fir tree in the world, at 41 feet in circumference and 240 feet tall), to the famous 75 km West Coast Trail. A great day trip, not to be missed is to Botanical Beach (www.portrenfrew.com/botbeach.htm). Visitors will observe rich tidal pools full of hundreds of marine species of plants and animals. Botanical Beach is located only 5 km from Mile Beach Cottages.
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Alaskan storms funnel swell into the Straight of Juan de Fuca, creating more than a dozen surf breaks in the fall and winter. The rugged, clean, untouched coastline stretching south from Port Renfrew has been a favorite of local riders for decades. The view is also impressive, with soaring old growth Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and western cedar enveloping the horizon. From the beginner breaks south of Jordan River to bigger, more challenging surf in China Beach and further north at Sombrio Beach, the Port Renfrew area boasts impressive wave riding all fall and winter. At certain tides, you can surf right off Mile Beach (across from the cottage). Surfing Information: www.surfingvancouverisland.com Surf Reports: Port Renfrew: www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/PortRenfrew.shtml Sombrio Beach: www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/SombrioBeach.shtml Jordan River: www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/JordanRiver.shtml back to top |
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With the area’s bounty of marine wildlife, there’s no better way to get up close and personal than by guiding your own kayak or canoe. Fairy Lake and the San Juan River estuary and delta offer calm kayaking year round, while the wild Pacific turns calm on most summer days and becomes an open ocean playground for advanced paddlers. In the fall, taking the water is a venerable wildlife safari, as spawning salmon attract legions of back bear, eagles and seals. Organized Tour or Boat Rentals: Ocean West Kayaks at 250-647-5562 (www.oceanswestkayaks.com) Rush Adventures at 250-642-2159 (www.rush-adventures.com) Edge of the World Tours at 250-647-5574 (www.edgeoftheworldtours.com) back to top |
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 Storm watching is a relatively new tourism phenomenon on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, though locals have been watching and surviving winter storms for millennia. Storm watching doesn't really require anything of the observer but stillness and wonder. Storm watching is best advantaged from ocean-front accommodations where a good book, a fireplace and maybe a down duvet across your lap are really all you need to experience the fury and the force of the pounding Pacific Ocean on the other side of your rattling, double paned window. Or for the more adventurous, head out into the storm to experience the power of the wind, to observe the giant waves, and to hear the symphony of the wind and waves. Both Mile Beach Cottages 1 & 2 provide excellent storm watching opportunities from their ocean-front windows, or from their close proximity to the beach and other hiking trails. Storm Watching Information: Weather Report: http://weather.weatherbug.com/Canada/Port%20Renfrew-weather.html?zcode=z6286 back to top |
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