Canada's Peaceful Island Getaway Is A Coastal Gem With Surfing, Forest Trails, And Beach Beauty

Canada's Vancouver Island, just off the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia, is renowned for its rugged, ancient woodland wilderness, coastal adventures, and unique wildlife encounters. At 12,079 square miles, it is the largest island on the west coast of North America. And it is in this pocket of floating land that British Columbia's capital of Victoria also lies. Travelers who venture further into the island's lesser-trodden parts can enjoy hiking trails crossing the old-growth rainforest, catch waves along the coast, and enjoy beautiful beaches. A place that checks all those boxes is Jordan River, a small community on the wild, wind-swept southwestern coast of the island.

A logging town and former salmon fishing hotspot, Jordan River is now mostly associated with what its coast has to offer, from sandstone cliffs jutting out on beautiful sandy beaches, to pebbled shores with rolling waves, and woodland trails flanking the sea. While Jordan River's waves are a main attraction for surfers and people who enjoy following the sport, the locale itself is somewhat of a hidden gem for visitors from outside Vancouver Island. 

A wilder counterpart to the popular coastal getaway of Tofino (where you'll find some of the world's best beaches), Jordan River is both less crowded (hence more tranquil) and closer to Vancouver Island's main hubs. Driving from Victoria takes approximately one hour (about 40 miles), but you can also reach the community from Nanaimo, on the Eastern coast, in under two hours (95 miles).

Jordan River has both quiet beaches and beaches where you can get active in the water. While the more laid-back China Beach is a great, easily accessible location ideal for photographers and beachcombers, Mystic Beach has a more untamed spirit. Visitors can see a waterfall and a bridge as they follow the Juan de Fuca trail to Mystic Beach, where they'll find breathtaking cliffs and waves lapping along the sandy, driftwood-laden shore. Another standout spot is the pebbled Sandcut Beach in the Jordan River Regional Park, which is famous as a strategic location to spot whales, orcas, and other marine mammals, as well as for its geological features, with fossils visible on the pliable sandstone cliffs.

Surfers should head to The Point, a popular spot for barrels above a more laid-back, sandy ground, as well as long ride-waving, making it ideal regardless of skill levels. Sewers is another go-to spot in Jordan River where you can experience the local surf culture. Though the community is generally welcoming,  you should respect the locals' claim to their surfing patch to avoid annoyances.

Surfing is a winter activity here, with the colder months affording the best wave conditions in an otherwise unfavorable — and often unpredictable — spot. The best swells occur between mid-spring and mid-fall (April to October). However, as it can get as cold as 45 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and peaks around 63 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, wearing a wetsuit is strongly advised year-round.

Setting aside its status as a lesser-known coastal getaway, another big part of Jordan River's reputation as a peaceful destination has to do with its access to scenic coastal forest trails. The prime spot for meandering through Sitka spruce trees and enjoying the Pacific Ocean's breeze is the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. The trail is part of Juan de Fuca Park, which stretches from China Beach down to Port Renfrew's Botanical Beach. 

In its entirety, the trail covers about 30 miles. However, it is easy enough to hike sections of it, for example the scenic stretch from China Beach to Bear Beach, which takes hikers through verdant patches of rainforest. Marine animals are easily spotted here, but so are bears, so be sure to familiarize yourself with tips on what to do if you see a bear while hiking or camping. Although the trail is ideally suited to more experienced walkers (due to its rugged terrain and changing weather), it also features shorter hikes with good views, such as the one leading to Sombrio Beach. Here, visitors can observe moss-covered boulders and emerald ferns adorning a steep canyon and small waterfall. 

Jordan River is not even as unspoiled as it gets on Vancouver Island. Those keen on adventure should head further north for a taste of Vancouver's "Wild West Coast" with surfing, rainforest trails, and even diving in places like Nootka Island. Indeed, Jordan River still has cozy nooks to relax after surfing and hiking, such as family-run Cold Shoulder Cafe, where you can head for a coffee stop or a daytime meal, and self-catered cabins surrounded by woodland like Fern Gully Cabins.