Botanical Beach Provincial Park
Botanical Beach Provincial Park
Botanical Beach Provincial Park
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Botanical Beach Provincial Park and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
6 within 3 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
328 reviews
Excellent
255
Very good
59
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
BackpackerNoMore62
Seattle, WA2,675 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
At low tide the tide pools offer good rewards, not great ones, but good ones. For me, who has explored lots of other tide pools, the rewards did not justify the difficult walk from the parking lot to the beach. But I am 75 years old and not as mobile as I once was. There are two trailheads from the parking lot. Unfortunately, I didn't know this, and the signage did not make that clear. I took what proved to be the longer and more difficult one. If you want an easier hike to the beach, select the second one that you come to in the parking lot.
Written 25 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leighw76
Vancouver Island, Canada16 contributions
Aug 2020
We always love to hit up Botanical Beach when we're close to Port Renfrew. In this case we were camping at China Beach and took the day to explore. We have been to Botanical Beach before an love it. Make sure you go at low tide so you can check out as many pools as you can. This time around were came across a healthy looking large black bear on the beach minding his business doing what bears do. Many members of my family group have not seen a bear in the wild, so that was a bonus on top of a scenic walk. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a picnic. Pay attention to the waves and tide and enjoy all nature has to offer
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drominyc
Paris, France201 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Circuit made in the morning at low tide. The contrast is striking between the well-maintained trail in the gigantic pine forest and the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Count 1 to 2 hours depending on the breaks you take to enjoy the views
Automatically translated
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris W
Sorede, France960 contributions
Sept 2022
Well, not so keen to start off with but glad we did it. A fair walk down to the beach and back but interesting placards along the way which gave plenty of info. On arrival, it's not a beach to stand and view and one you need to explore which we did. It has to be at low tide so you can see the 'pools' which are full of interesting flora and the odd 'wildlife' but unfortunately not the red sea stars (star fish in old terms) we had hoped to see. OK, a bit of a negative but the whole feel of the place with the waves cascading in, the smell and being out there in the open air at 7.40 was a plus.
Written 11 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morag V
Ladner, Canada159 contributions
Aug 2023
We had a wonderful time exploring beautiful Botanical Beach. Once you park you get to the trail head. It is a circle hike of about 3.5 km’s. We decided to go left onto the sandstone rocks that are home to many beautiful tidal pools. These pools are teaming with amazing sea life. After exploring botanical beach we made our way over lava like rocks to Botany Beach. The walk is much more difficult due to the uneven rocky terrain. The tidal pools are limited to just a few inhabitants. We enjoyed a picnic lunch , before making our way back to the car. Make sure you have comfortable shoes, wear a hat and bring water.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yellingdog25
Nanaimo, Canada242 contributions
Jul 2021
Go at low tide for the best tide pools along the coast. Amazing array of sea life, fairly easy trails from the parking lot to the beach. It was pleasant to walk through cool forests and then to a sunny open beach.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jordan Tetreau
Red Deer, Canada1,233 contributions
Sept 2020
Visited with a friend and my husband, lots was closed due to a recent bear sighting but we ignored the signs (I know were being irresponsible) the beach was great seeing all the sea creatures. We made sure to visit when it was low tide so we got the best view and most time to walk around. It’s a gorgeous walk, beautiful massive trees it’s a very easy walk. We did end up seeing a black bear but luckily it was farther enough away we weren’t concerned about it. Totally worth a visit if you’re anywhere near.
Written 12 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrpetsaver
Canmore, Canada1,767 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This is an easy hike about 1.5KM down and up. There are two nice rock beach areas. Go at low tide and you see lots of animals in the pools. Be sure to step on the larger rocks as at low tide there are small crabs in the sand you can crush if you walk on the sand near the pools. I spent lots of time kneeling and watching and it was relaxing and enjoyable. There are a few restaurants in Port Renfrew stock up with groceries before you come.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JessTravelsAndEats
Richmond, Canada20 contributions
May 2022
It is scenic and educational. We decided to drive out from Sooke and it was about an hour each way. Check to make sure you are visiting during low tide and you can walk out quite a distance to view the marine life within the many tidal pools all along the beach. We saw sea urchins, little fish and shrimp, lots of hermit crabs and there were lots of exposed mussels and even gooseneck barnacles!
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stuart R
2 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Didn't really know what to expect but turned out to be one of our trip highlights. Free to visit and very good fun for all ages. Ideally best to go at low tide but not the end of the world if you miss that time. make sure you do the circular walk to and from the beach. Don't go back the way you came as you may miss the scenic half. We also saw a pod or orcas swim by as we stood on the shore looking out over the ocean.
Written 12 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would it still be a good time to visit in late September? Thanks!
Written 20 September 2019
The road from Sooke to Port Renfrew is paved all the way, and in good shape. The road from Port Renfrew out to Botanical Beach is also paved and easy. The trail from the parking area down to the beach is easy -- mainly wide gravel with slight grades.
Most important thing is to check the tide. Don't go at high tide, as there will be nothing to see. Don't go at the low slack. If you do, then the tide will be rising as soon as you arrive. Instead, plan to arrive at the beach about an hour or so prior to low slack.
Also, be careful on the rocks -- the green seaweed is very slippery; and don't venture too close to the edge. A rogue wave could wash you out to sea.
Don't get me wrong. This is NOT a dangerous area, but you just need to be smart.
Written 20 July 2017
From the parking lot, if you take, it is 20 minutes or less to get down to the water. The walk down to the tide pools is slightly more difficult, but neither path is difficult. If you are taking this route, I found it useful to wear a pair of good rubber sandals to the tide pools as there were some parts of that walk when it became easier to get my feet wet.
Written 24 July 2017
bccarter2016
Waterloo, Canada
Are there guided day tours/trips from Port Renfrew to Botanical Beach? Is the hike to Botanical Beach about 1.5 hours? What is the terrain? Thanks in advance, Cheryl
Written 29 March 2016
You can drive to Botanical Beach from Port Renfrew in about 15 minutes. They have a good parking lot (its a round about) and at least two major access ways down to the beach, one long, one short. The shorter route is the second path down, not the main path at the end of the parking roundabout which, lets say would be 12 o'clock if you were looking at it,..go to the 9 o'clock path and it's about a 25 minute walk to the beach - easy walk.
And the Place to Stay is Wild Renfrew...great little cabins and rooms...and close to pub
Written 29 March 2016
Can you recommend a place to stay overnight close to Botanical Beach (motel etc)
Thanks
Written 11 March 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing