Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The park's largest land mammal is the black bear, some of which occasionally wander
down to the beach in search of food. Also present are blacktail deer, raccoons, otters, and
mink. Bald eagles are year-round residents. The migratory birds arrive in the largest num-
bers—in spring and fall, thousands of Canada geese, pintails, mallards, and black brants
converge on the vast tidal mudflats of
Grice Bay,
in the north of the park beyond the golf
course.
Climate
PacificRimNationalParkreceivesheavyrainfall(3,000millimeters/120inchesannually),
and the weather here can only be described as extremely changeable. It can be windy and
wet in the morning, yet warm and dry in the afternoon, so always carry extra clothes and
raingear while exploring the park. In summer the average temperature is 15°C (59°F), and
dense morning fog usually clears in the afternoon. In winter the park experiences a good
proportion of its annual rainfall, and the average temperature is 6°C (43°F). In spring you
can expect 10°C (50°F) days, 6°C (43°F) days in autumn.
Long Beach
Ensconcedbetweenrockyheadlandsismorethan11kilometers(6.8miles)ofhard-packed
white sand, covered in twisted driftwood, shells, and the occasional Japanese glass fish-
ingfloat.DenserainforestandthehighsnowcappedpeaksoftheMackenzieRangeforma
beautifulbackdropwhileoffshoreliecraggysurf-batteredisleshometomyriadmarinelife.
You can access the beach at many places, but first stop at the renovated
Kwisitis Visitor
Centre
(250/726-4212, 10am-4:30pm daily mid-Mar. to mid-Oct., 11am-3pm Thurs.-Sun.
therestoftheyear),whichoverlookstheentirebeachfromaprotectedsoutherncove.This
is the place to learn about the natural and human history of both the park and the ocean
through exhibits and spectacular hand-painted murals.
Through summer Long Beach attracts hordes of visitors. Most just wander along the
beach soaking up the smells and sounds of the sea, but some brave the cool waters for
swimming or surfing. The waves here are reputed to be Canada's best; rent boards and
wetsuits in Ucluelet and Tofino. In winter, hikers dress for the harsh elements and walk
the surf-pounded beach in search of treasures, admiring the ocean's fury during the many
ferocious storms.
Hiking
The most obvious place to go for a walk in Pacific Rim National Park is along the beach.
From the Wickaninnish Centre, Long Beach extends north for around 10 kilometers (6.2
