Florencia Bay (Wreck Beach)                              Tofino & Ucluelet Hiking Trails

Florencia Bay, named after the ship that was wrecked here in 1861 is certainly one of the most amazing places in the world. 

Just a short walk to the beach you descend down a wonderfully sketchy tangle of wooden stairs onto a fantastic, wild and secluded feeling Canadian beach.

Florencia Bay seems to have it all.  Gorgeous, sandy beach.  Excellent waves for surfing.  An absurdly wild jungle forest that spills over the beach alive with colour.  It has to be explored to be appreciated.  The 5 kilometre bay cuts a wide arch, often with abrupt cliffs just off the beach.

Florencia Bay is known locally as Wreck Beach due the shipwreck that happened here.  Four people died when the 200 tonne ship, the Florencia was wrecked.  The Florencia actually capsized elsewhere, however, during the salvage effort, the ship towing the Florencia had engine trouble and cast off the Florencia to be wrecked here.  The Bay's name was officially changed to Florencia Bay in 1930, but the original name is often still used.

If you are interested in history there is an excellent book about the area's history.  Long Beach Wild - A Celebration of People and Place on Canada's Rugged Western Shore, mentions quite a lot about Florencia Bay.  From it's famous shipwreck to the extraordinary, minor gold rush that occurred here long ago.

Trailhead Directions to Florencia Bay                Tofino & Ucluelet Hiking Trails

13k from Ucluelet or 28k from Tofino look for the turnoff to Wick Road.  This road leads to Florencia Bay, Wickaninnish Restaurant, the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Trail and the beautiful Kwisitis Information Centre (museum).

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Other Hiking Trails Near Florencia Bay:

Nuu Chah Nulth Trail - a 2.1km wooden walkway with informative pit stops through the forest to a nice beach.  1.5 hours

Shorepine Bog Trail - a wonderfully surreal forest of weather beaten trees, 40 minutes