This wonderful, rugged beach on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island is located along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail in the similarly named Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and is a popular place for camping and day trippers. Despite having a name which rather uninvitingly translates to either sombre (from Spanish) or dingy (from Portuguese), Sombrio Beach is actually quite a nice place. With sand and waves and everything.
Despite the exotic name, Sombrio Beach has never served as the capital of any conquering colonial empires. It has, however, served as the temporary home of Russ, a surfer from northern Ontario who decided to just hang around for a few months after the plates ran out on his VW van. Between the Sombrio Beach waterfall, surfing and camping, there is a little something for everyone.
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You might also want to check out: The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip Itinerary
Is Sombrio Beach Worth Visiting?
Surrounded by lush forest, featuring multiple waterfalls and great surfing, it is one of the highlights of the Juan de Fuca west coast. The distance from Victoria and rough access road from the highway helps keep some of the potential visitors away (notably, those who drive BMW 5 Series or 10-speed bicycles).
Known as one of the most iconic surf spots in Canada, if you are vague enough when you tell people you went to Sombrio Beach BC they might just assume you went surfing. Plus, it is a great place to camp that feels very wild while still being just a short drive from places that sell antibiotics.
Sombrio Beach Camping
Now that all the Sombrio Beach squatters and their shacks have been removed, you no longer have the option of getting wrecked and passing out on the rotting bench seat of a 1964 Oldsmobile. Sombrio Beach camping, though, is legendary, and probably cleaner.
There are three designated Sombrio Beach campground areas – East, Main and West – that are open year-round. All have several cleared dirt patches for tents and on West Sombrio there are even a few luxurious wooden platforms.
Pit toilets are located in three spots – by the parking lot and where both trails meet up with the beach. The sauna is just to the right. Only kidding, there is no sauna, although you are perfectly welcome to sit around nearly naked sweating profusely. It’s known as July.
There is also no potable water (stream water can be treated and/or boiled) and very little, if any, cell service.
There are bear boxes to store your food, which will keep your breakfast safe, although the same can’t be said for you. Bear experts recommend trying not to smell edible. On a related note, there are no showers.
In dry times there are occasional fire bans (signs posted at trailhead) but usually fires are allowed. It is best to bring your own firewood to conserve the integrity of the beach’s eclectic driftwood collection and because it is usually difficult to find anything dry enough to burn.
Sombrio camping fees are $10 per person per night ($5 for children under 16). You can’t reserve sites, but you can pay online or leave exact cash in the envelopes provided at the fee box by the parking lot. Rangers regularly patrol the beach checking permits and judging the tautness of tent lines, so don’t cut corners.
Always pack out all your trash (there are trash and recycling bins at the parking lot), and please don’t think that just because they are “organic” you can toss your orange peels all over the ground to eventually dry up and resemble discarded toenails.
For more great camping options in the area, check out:
8 Fun Things to Do at Sombrio Beach
1. Check Out All 3 Beaches
East Sombrio Beach
This is the more popular of the two sections, although not for any of the political reasons you’re thinking. It just happens to have the best surf breaks and access to both of the Sombrio Beach waterfalls, which just happen to rank among the best on Vancouver Island.
The beach itself is a mix of rocky and sandy and there are lots of large downed trees and driftwood to photograph, sit on or comically balance on while someone takes a video that never turns out quite as amusing as you hoped.
Main Sombrio Beach
This is where you emerge from the path to the parking lot and where most of the surfers set up shop. It is where you are most likely to find groups and a social atmosphere – perfect if that’s what you’re hoping for. If not, pick a direction and head a bit farther down.
West Sombrio Beach
The western section is quieter and rockier and the western trail is somewhat muddier but it does feature a small suspension bridge. So, if you’re thinking that West Sombrio Beach is truly a beach of contrasts, well, you’d be right on the money.
2. Join the Sombrio Beach Surfing Scene
Sombrio Beach is one of the premier surfing destinations in Canada. There are breaks to suit everyone from beginners to experts, and especially for those who really love wiping out into disgusting, but soft, forests of kelp. There are also lots of huge rocks, occasionally wild waves and underwater reefs to watch for so it pays to check out the Sombrio Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report beforehand to research the breaks and tides.
The water temperature varies from “freezing” to “not terrible”, depending on the season, so don’t forget your full wet suit, hoodie and booties. The three main breaks are known as “1st Peak”, “2nd Peak” and “Chickens”. Although I can’t help but feel like that last one comes off a little judgy.
3. Find the Hidden Sombrio Beach Waterfall
If you walk for about 10 minutes east along East Sombrio beach you will eventually come to a small creek emptying into the ocean. This is nothing, ignore it.
A couple minutes after that, though, you’ll find another small creek emptying into the ocean. Follow this one up into the trees, stepping from rock to rock to keep your feet dry.
Despite the grand name, almost immediately you will both see and hear the “Hidden Waterfall” crashing down loudly at the back of the narrow and intensely green gorge straight ahead. Bear in mind, while it is perfectly fine to visit, this site is considered sacred by the indigenous people of the region so treat it with respect (i.e. no nude selfies or peeing in dark corners).
Keep in mind, the tide will need to be under 3 metres if you want to get around the rocky headland to reach the Sombrio Beach waterfall without walking in the water. If you want to see just how far you need to walk to get there, the Sombrio Beach Hidden Waterfall is clearly marked on Google Maps (yet further mockery of its name). There is also a bonus Sombrio Beach waterfall further down the beach that isn’t hidden at all.
4. Light a Campfire
Sombrio Beach is one of the few beaches in the area that allows fires directly on the beach (Mystic Beach is another), making it popular with people hoping to get rid of large piles of old newspapers.
All fires should be made below the high tide line so the embers will be washed away by the waves and you should try to bring your own firewood to conserve resources on the beach.
5. Watch for Wildlife
Whale watching is sometimes possible right from the beach. Grey whales are often spotted in March and April as they migrate up to Alaska, sometimes even coming close to shore to feed on the kelp reefs. Killer whales also appear occasionally, usually just to mess with the surfers, although sometimes they also bring their kids to see the Sombrio Beach waterfall.
Nobody has ever reported seeing a penguin on Sombrio Beach but, hey, you never know.
6. Hike the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
This famous long-distance trail runs for 50 kilometres from China Beach to Botanical Beach (or vice versa) and is one of the best hiking trails on Vancouver Island. It is rough, muddy and full of roots, so obviously people love it. If you follow it for about 15 minutes east of the Hidden Waterfall you will come to “Second Waterfall”.
You can usually make your way right to the edge of the cliff where it drops into the bay, although the best photo spot is actually from the trail about 5 minutes before the falls themselves.
At low tide you can walk to the bottom of the falls but be very aware of the tide as this is not somewhere you want to get caught when it comes back in.
7. Search the Tide Pools
Sombrio Beach has several tide pool areas, one of the best being right where the Hidden Waterfall empties into the ocean. At low tide you may find them full of fascinating marine life such as urchins, clams or even little fish. Most of them are just full of water, though.
8. Go Whale Watching in a Zodiac
You’ll have to head to Victoria to do this, but if you’re visiting Sombrio Beach you are probably going to end up near the city eventually. And whale watching in the Salish Sea is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and memorable Vancouver Island activities.
Head out on a 3-hour tour in a modern (and perfectly safe!) Zodiac to get up close and personal with the giants of the sea while spending the entire time enjoying the unbelievable scenery of the island’s beautiful coastline. The trip goes from the Victoria Harbour, a reasonable drive from any of the south coast beaches.
Click here for prices and availability
Where to Stay: Hotels Near Sombrio Beach
If wild camping isn’t your thing, or maybe you just don’t have all the gear you’d need to sleep on the beach, there are some really nice places to stay along the Vancouver Island coast. The following places are all within easy driving distance of Sombrio Beach.
Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages
With an incredible view and the sound of the waves to lull you to sleep, Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages is a great choice for accommodation in Port Renfrew. It is close to the local pub and marina and also has a private beach to relax on.
Click here to check prices at Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages
Great Escape – Port Renfrew
This fantastic 2-bedroom bunkhouse features a nice terrace with a BBQ, fireplace and views of beautiful blue water of Port San Juan. Guests rave about the amazing hot tub at Great Escape – Port Renfrew and it is located conveniently close to all the outstanding Port Renfrew sights and activities.
Click here to check availability at Great Escape – Port Renfrew
Great Escape – Shirley
For something a little different, check out this luxurious RV parked in the beautiful forest near about an hour outside Victoria and close to all the best beaches. Even though you stay in a (stationary) RV at Great Escape – Shirley, there is wifi, satellite TV, BBQ, comfortable furniture and even a hot tub. A nice, secluded getaway along the Vancouver Island coast.
Click here to check availability at Great Escape – Shirley
Ocean Wilderness Inn
This beautiful hideaway is one of the best places to stay along the south coast of Vancouver Island. Occupying a large section of lush forest, Ocean Wilderness Inn is completely surrounded by nature, wildlife and excellent hiking. There is a jacuzzi, exceptional views, an excellent breakfast and a gorgeous private beach is just a short walk away.
Located close to the small village of Shirley, this is an ideal location for exploring the many beaches, hikes and waterfalls found in both directions along the coast.
Click here to check prices at Ocean Wilderness Inn
Sombrio Beach: When to Go and Weather
Like everywhere in Canada, summers in Sombrio Beach are hot, short and festive. The beach will definitely be at its most crowded in July and August but that is also the only time the weather makes walking around nearly naked seem like a reasonable choice. Plus, there’s really nothing on TV that time of year.
Winter brings colder weather and big surfing waves. In the greater context of Canada, however, “colder” is pretty relative, as Sombrio’s mild climate provides January temperatures still well above 0C. Not sunbathing weather, exactly, but the surfers are still willing to change on the beach in winter, they just seem a lot more frantic while they do it.
Spring and fall are not as hot as summer or as cold as winter, and there are fewer kids around. However, the surfing in fall is comparable to the good winter waves while in spring the waves are a cut below. Fall it is, then.
Eating at Sombrio Beach
You can picnic anywhere you want on Sombrio Beach but if you have a fire, please follow all the rules discussed above and whatever you do, don’t let your marshmallows catch fire because that completely ruins them.
Fishing is allowed but remember that Grey Whales are strictly catch-and-release.
Sombrio Beach Map
Click the star to save this map to your Google Maps – then find it under Saved/Maps (mobile) or Your Places/Maps (desktop)
How to Get to Sombrio Beach
The beach is about 100 km from Victoria, which takes roughly 2 hours to drive because Highway 14 is scenic but slow. From downtown Victoria, take Douglas Street north and follow it as it turns into Highway #1, then take Exit #14 to Langford to the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, take a right onto Sooke Road and stay on that for, say, a couple hours.
No matter how close your relationship is with the GPS on your phone, you’ll have to resort to some traditional directions to find Sombrio Beach. The highway turnoff shown on Google Maps is actually blocked off, so you need to continue on to the next dirt road on your left. While there is no sign at the actual turn, there is a sign on the highway telling you to turn in 400 metres, which is pretty accurate.
Continuing to the west, it is just 20 minutes to Port Renfrew, which no one is going to mistake for a major centre but if, for some reason, you are staying there, well, that’s how far it is.
The dirt road leading to the beach parking lot is only about 2 kilometres long, but rough, washed out and filled with potholes. At least the parking lot is big. It even has a bike rack. And, as always, you should never leave valuables in your vehicle overnight.
There is trail info on a board near the parking lot and the trail to the beach is nice and smooth, steadily descending for about 250 metres to a fork where it splits to East or West Sombrio. From there it is about 500 metres to either one, also gradually downhill the whole way.
For some reason, you will almost certainly see surfers jogging either up or down this trail at all times, suggesting that it is possible that their days follow a much tighter schedule than we give them credit for. Probably not, though.
Some descriptions recommend you watch for woodpeckers along the trail but if you forget, well, they’re just woodpeckers.
All dogs need to be kept on a leash, although some dog owners believe an exception can be made as long as you “don’t worry, he’s friendly”.
History of Sombrio Beach
Sombrio Beach is located on the traditional land of the Pacheedaht First Nations people. The name means “Children of the Sea Foam”, which would seem like more logical inhabitants than the “Children of Skin-Tight Neoprene and Recreational Cannabis Use” that frequent the beach today.
However, between the 1960’s and 1990’s Sombrio drew a growing community of surfers, squatters and “social misfits” who arrived with a diverse set of beliefs. Some wanted to return to a natural life, live off the land and reduce their environmental footprint. Others were simply trying to avoid their exes and former weed dealers looking to collect.
In 1994, Sombrio was brought under the protection of the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, pushing the few remaining Paachedaht residents into a nearby reserve. In 1997, local squatters were also cleared out, a controversial move that was the subject of a 2006 documentary.
How exactly this was less fair and morally different from those squatters showing up earlier and claiming First Nations land as their own remains unclear. “That’s different, though” said someone, almost certainly.
Today, Sombrio Beach is known for its very nice driftwood.
Around Sombrio Beach Vancouver Island
There are plenty of other highlights in the area you can combine with your Sombrio Beach visit. Just outside of Victoria is Witty’s Lagoon, with great views, a thriving bird community and Sitting Lady Falls, which wisely under promise with their name.
Continuing farther west from Victoria, there are lots of things to do around Sooke such as the Sooke Potholes. While they may sound like something you can easily see on any Canadian road in spring, these ones are actually a series of interesting rapids, pools and small waterfalls on the Sooke River. Nearby Mary Vine Creek Waterfall is also worth a look.
East Sooke Coast Trail is one of the best day hikes in British Columbia and there are many more good trails in East Sooke Park, as well, which are perfect for those who don’t consider it a real hike unless they’ve gotten at least a little bit lost.
After that you start hitting the beaches. French Beach is close to the parking area and perfect for families, Sandcut Beach has a cute little waterfall that isn’t the least bit hidden, China Beach is large and scenic and not nearly as political as you might assume, and Mystic Beach involves a tricky 4 km hike but has another great beach waterfall and, obviously, the best name. There are also several great beaches in and around Victoria.
In the midst of all these beaches, the Jordan River area is another big surf spot and Shirley Delicious has excellent snacks and desserts, just the thing once you’ve worked up an appetite watching all those surfers from the warmth of your car.
Around Port Renfrew there are several more highlights to add to the list, including the fantastic tide pools of Botanical Beach, the tiny bonsai tree on Fairy Lake, the atmospheric old growth forest at Avatar Grove (named after the movie, not the other way around) and Big Lonely Doug, the second-largest Douglas fir in BC.
Trip Planning Resources
Here is a list of the most important resources we use when planning our travels, all in one convenient spot. Full disclosure, when you use any of these links to reserve or sign up for something, we receive a small commission which is greatly appreciated. However, your price does not change and we have only included products and websites that we can honestly recommend.
- We book the majority of our hotels on Booking.com. With frequent stay discounts, thousands of reviews and free cancellation, it is very rare for us to have a bad hotel experience these days.
- Wise is by far the best international multicurrency bank account we’ve found. We can now send and receive money in half a dozen different currencies, convert to dozens more with no exchange premium and pay or withdraw local currencies. Highly recommended.
- When travelling we always get SIM cards with data for our phones. Local SIM cards are sometimes a bit cheaper but if you have a relatively new smartphone (iPhone XR or newer, Samsung S20 or newer) you can just buy an eSIM online, get a QR code by email and you’re good to go. After extensive research we have found that Airalo sim cards have the best coverage and prices for most of our trips.
- If you’re interested in local guided tours, including everything from city tours to cooking lessons to adventure activities, check out the huge range of options at Get Your Guide.
Sombrio Beach Summary
With terrific surfing, wonderful scenery, two great waterfalls, contentious history and many excellent places to change out of your wetsuit only partially visible to other people, Sombrio Beach is considered by many to be the best beach on the south coast of Vancouver Island. So, whether you plan to settle in and camp or are just stopping in for a day trip, Sombrio is a must-see Vancouver Island road trip destination.
Other useful articles you may want to check out:
Esquimalt Lagoon: Bird Sanctuary and Driftwood Sculpture Beach
