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Pacific Rim National Park
Pacific Rim National Park
Pacific Rim National Park
Pacific Rim National Park
Pacific Rim National Park

Pacific Rim National Park, the First and Oldest National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island

The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, locally known as PRNPR or just The Park, located on Vancouver Island's gorgeous west coast, is one of Canada's most treasured natures with endless wildlife watching opportunities, known for its rich temperate forests, spectacular coastline vistas, and extensive stretches of sandy beach. It's stretched from Tofino in the north to Port Renfrow in the south and was established in 1970 as the first and oldest national park reserve on Vancouver Island. Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail are the three unique components of the reserve, all surrounded to the east by mountains and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The reserve exemplifies the finest of harsh, unspoiled West coast wildness. With a seemingly infinite variety of exciting activities and sites to discover, it's the ideal natural playground and an outdoor lover's dream come true. Hike for miles along the stunning coastline and into the ancient jungle. Kayak around hundreds of small islands, hidden passages, and secret coves in green seas. Admire the different wildlife and take in the breathtaking sight of migrating whales. Walk, paddle, and relax to your heart's delight along broad soft-sand beaches, or brave some of Canada's roughest waves.

3 Beautiful Attraction of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Area

West Coast Trail

This tough 75-kilometre hiking track was once a telegraph line that connected the west coast to the rest of the world. Today, it is one of the island's hotspots for everything, including wildlife watching.

Broken Group Islands

This miraculous attraction is only accessible by boat and is made up of over 100 islands and islets. Although Secret Beach is privately owned, it is available to the public throughout the year.

Long Beach

Long Beach is the park's most accessible and popular part for marine life watching. Some animals you might observe there are songbirds, frogs, tiny mammals, sea birds, eagles, anemones, and even whales.

Best Wildlife Trails in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Mallard Lake Trail


Cape Beal Trail


Pacheedaht Beach-Port San Juan Trail


South Beach Trail


Pacific Rim Pathway Trail


Cheewat Giant Trail


Keeha Beach Trail


Wickaninnish Beach Trail


Green Point South Trail


Canso Crash Site Trail


Rainforest Figure Eight Loop


West Coast Trail


Willowbrae Trail


Lone Cone Trail


Nuu-Chah-Nulth Trail


Pacific Rim Traverse Trail


South Rain Forest Trail


Schooner Trail


North Rain Forest Trail


Pacific Rim National Park’s Mammals

Within the borders of this fabulous park, wildlife exists in a great diversity which has made this fantastic Vancouver Island attraction a tremendous hotspot for wildlife watching. The park reserve is rich in land mammals. Red squirrels, mink, martens, and raccoons are occasionally seen. Large predators like black bears, cougars, and wolves are frequently spotted during the quieter off-season months, while black-tailed deer use glades along the coast.

Pacific Rim National Park's Wildlife

Cougars

Cougars

Black-tailed Deer

Black-tailed Deer

Red Squirrels

Red Squirrels

Minks

Minks

Martens

Martens

Raccoons

Raccoons

                Bird Watching in Pacific Rim National Park

                Do you enjoy watching birds? Did you know that this park is one of the birding hotspots on the western tip of Vancouver Island? You've come to the correct location! Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will steal your heart as a world-class birding paradise. Approximately 250 bird species have been documented in the park and surrounding regions, most of which are spring and fall migrants. Thousands of birds are intercepted as they migrate north and south around the Pacific Rim. The park's diversified ecosystem supports many bird species, from sandy beaches to mudflats, rocky shorelines to deep coniferous forests, and bogs to meadows. The numbers and varieties of birds seen in the park change throughout the year. In January and February, residents and winter birds can be spotted in their natural habitats. With the entrance of spring migrants and summer inhabitants, most winter birds have departed by April or May. Bird numbers in the Pacific Rim are at their lowest in June. Shorebirds begin to throng the beaches in early to mid-July, and their numbers peak in August. Some winter species return in September and October, with only a few autumn migrants remaining in the area by the beginning of November. Pacific Rim is home to a variety of breeding birds. There are a total of 54 breeding residents in the park, with an additional 36 species that winter abroad but come to nest in the park.

                Bird Species of the Pacific Rim National Park

                Pacific Rime National Park Whale and Marine Life Watching

                Pacific Rim National Park, located in Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island's west coast, contains some of Canada's most stunning and accessible Pacific Ocean beaches great for whale watching. Visitors come to hear the crashing waves on the sandy beaches, hike through the thick coastal rainforest, kayak through the island archipelago, or simply relax and watch the morning mists turn into stunning sunsets. Razor clams, sea worms, and beach hoppers abound on the beaches, while barnacles, mussels, hermit crabs, tiny fish, sea stars, and sponges abound in the tidal pools. Shrimp, plankton, and small fish are eaten by halibut, sole, cod, and salmon schools off the coast. Killer whales, gray whales, sperm whales, humpback whales, blue whales, sea lions and harbour seals are among the ocean animals.

                Pacific Rim National Park's Marine Life

                Pacific Rim Whale Festival, 2022

                The Pacific Rim Whale Festival takes place annually in March to commemorate the continued preservation and yearly return of migratory Pacific Gray whales to the coastal waters of Tofino, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
                20,000 grey whales move from their winter breeding grounds in the Baja Peninsula in Mexico to their summer feeding areas in the Bering and Chukchi Seas in March, making it the best time to watch them. The annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival commemorates their homecoming. Take part in festival activities, embark on a whale-watching trip, or visit the Kwisitis Visitor Centre observation deck to catch a glimpse of the whales' heart-shaped spouts as they pass by!

                Wildlife Watching Species on Vancouver Island

                Sea Lion Watching on Vancouver Island

                Sea Lion Watching on Vancouver Island

                Sea lions gather in sizable colonies on the islands' rocky and sandy coasts. Stay with us to learn more about these species on Vancouver Island.

                Seal Watching on Vancouver Island

                Seal Watching on Vancouver Island

                It shouldn't take long to locate the harbour seal, Canada's Pacific coast's most common marine animal. Stay with us to gain more insight.

                Greater White-fronted Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                Greater White-fronted Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                The Greater White-fronted Geese is a stocky brown goose found across the Northern Hemisphere, including Vancouver Island.

                Canada Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                Canada Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                Canadian Geese abound on Vancouver Island throughout the winter months. When migratory birds return north in the spring, this rises. Their unique coloration makes them easy to spot.

                Brant Watching on Vancouver Island

                Brant Watching on Vancouver Island

                Brant is a type of migratory game bird on Vancouver Island. These waterfowls can be categorized as geese which come to the Island every spring.

                Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

                Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

                Many people think that porpoises are a type of dolphin. It's wrong. They are a completely different family of cetaceans inhabiting the waters of Vancouver Island. Also, they aren't "baby orcas". Stay with us to tell you more.

                Eagle Watching on Vancouver Island

                Eagle Watching on Vancouver Island

                Come to Vancouver Island to see how the apex feathered predator come down from the sky for a grab. Let Vanisle Wildlife be your company!

                Humpback Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                Humpback Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                Remember the nostalgic Hunchback of Notre Dame? Well, the waters of Vancouver Island is not deprived of such creature. Humpback whales are another migratory marine species that count Vancouver Island shore as one of their favorites.

                Gray Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                Gray Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                Looking for an opportunity for spotting the longest-route migrating mammals on earth? Vancouver Island is the land in which this opportunity grows on the tree. Stay with us to tell you more about this wonderful journey.

                Orca Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                Orca Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                Whale watching on Vancouver island is full of wonders to explore! Come here to be a witness to the breaching of the most giant dolphin, Orca, in the world. They are the assassins of the marine mammals; even whales themselves.

                Grizzly Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                Grizzly Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                If, in any case, you have grizzly bear watching on your Canada bucket list, put it in your bags and bring it to Vancouver Island. Let's get to the lost paradises of grizzly bear where they live in abundance. Stay with us!

                Black Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                Black Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                Have you ever watch black bears play hid and seek? Vancouver Island black bear watching tours are what you're looking for. In order to know where is best to go black bear watching on Vancouver Island and where is the best place to go, stay with us!

                Common Questions About Pacific Rim National Park Wildlife Watching

                Regardless of the season, the Pacific Rim has lots to offer travellers. Summers are ideal for hiking, surfing, and kayaking, although these activities may be enjoyed all year. In fact, some consider winter to be the most exciting season in the area. Storm-watchers travel to the area starting in late October, hoping to see the stunning impact of gale-force winds and large waves crashing against the coast.

                Have You Ever Been to Pacific Rim National Park?