There is a favourite spot of mine, where ocean meets rain forest and where you can still camp on the beach, close to the surf, and have a blazing campfire. I also like this place because the stars here are bright, and because there is a lazy river to kayak which will leave all traces of civilization behind as you round the first bend ..

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With a backdrop of forested hillsides and thundering ocean, this place is as good as it gets. The jumping off spot for this magical place is Port Renfrew, a quaint village located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, on the edge of the wild, just a couple of hours drive from Victoria.

Wildlife surprises abound: Huge Roosevelt Elk drinking at the water's edge, and in the fall, countless salmon use your kayak as marine slalom posts as they stream up the river to spawn. Victoria soon feels like a thousand kilometres away!

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TOUR G: PORT RENFREW RAINFOREST/SURF ADVENTURE :
This 2 day adventure has a little of everything to offer: hiking, camping and kayaking on ocean and connecting San Juan River).  Both our campsite or cottage options are located on the ocean next to a broad expanse of beach that extends for over a mile and overlooks the world famous West Coast Trail.  Our tour begins and ends in Victoria. Half the fun is getting there.

Our Rainforest Itinerary is roughly as follows:
       Saturday: depart by van at 9 a.m. for Port Renfrew, stopping off at a number of interesting points along the way: Sooke Museum, Sooke Potholes (for a swim) and Sombrio Beach for a glimpse of the ocean-winding San Juan Trail.

We arrive at our beach campsite at Port Renfrew next to the San Juan River by noon. We kayak the San Juan River for the remainder of the day. If the water is not too rough there will be an opportunity to do some ocean paddling, if not surfing. Exploring the sea caves is a highlight of this tour. In the evening we can have a campfire and sing-song on the beach. You will sleep soundly despite the sound of crashing breakers close by.

    On Sunday morning we hike a portion of the San Juan Trail and explore the famous sandstone-carved tidal pools of Botanical Beach.

After lunch we explore an area of the rain forest which is home to some of the largest trees on the coast (would you believe 100 meters high (300 feet). If we have time after our hike, we will have a swim in one of the warm fresh water lakes nearbye. On our journey back to Victoria along the rugged and scenic West Coast road we stop off at the "50's style" Mom's Restaurant in Sooke - another very "special place" (our treat).

Cost 2 days: $350. Can.  per person all-inclusive (4 or more persons) A 3 day beach-camping tour is $500. per person  Includes kayaks, all equipment, food, van transport from Victoria (or pick up from B& B's enroute) and back, and guides. There is also a cottage/hot tub alternative to camping.