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Bamfield
Bamfield is located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island directly
across from Ucluelet in Barkley Sound.
Getting
Here
To get here you will have to drive in on gravel via forest service
roads from either Port Alberni 85
km (53 miles) away or 152 km (95 miles) from the Cowichan Lake community
of Youbou.
Nitinat
If you go past Youbou, make sure you visit the First Nation settlement
of Nitinat which is on the way. Just remember
there is active logging going on so be prepared for logging trucks.
"Venice
of North America"
The Bamfield community is made up of two areas called Bamfield
East and Bamfield West which are
separated by a small ocean body called Bamfield Inlet. Bamfield
because of the ocean commuting is often referred to as the "Venice
of North America."
Water
Taxi
When you arrive at Bamfield by road you enter into Bamfield East.
In order to get to Bamfield West, you have to have a boat or take
the water taxi available at the government dock which is at the
west end of Grappler Road.
- Paradise
Water Taxi 728-1212
Barkley
Sound and Broken Island Group
The ocean fishing for salmon and halibut around Bamfield has to
be some of BC's best. Situated near the fishing grounds of Barkley
Sound and the Broken Island Group, Bamfield is very centrally located.
If you require some local knowledge to help catch the big one, there
are various fishing guides and resorts at Bamfield.
Bamfield
East
You'll find most of the town services on Grappler Road in Bamfield
East. The two main meeting places Tides & Trails Market &
Café and Bamfield Trails Motel/Pub are entreat the edge of
town. There is also the Bamfield Kingfisher Marina plus Float Plane
Dock near here if you're arriving by boat or seaplane.
Visitor
Services
If you continue on Grappler Road you'll also find Breaker's Marine,
Artisan's Cottage and the Visitor Info Centre. At the end of Grappler
there is also the Centennial Park/Campground and the public boat
launch, anchorage and washrooms. The Sunbeam Fishing Resort &
Campground is located close by at Port Desire.
BMSC
- Bamfield Marine Station
You'll also find in Bamfield East the Bamfield Marine Station which
is located on approximately 3.0 kilometers of waterfront at the
confluence of Grappler and Bamfield Inlets. Established in 1972,
this facility has brought together world-class research biologists,
ecologists and oceanographers to help study and understand aquatic
life off of Canada's Pacific coastline.
Bamfield
West
Bamfield West is the real serene part of Bamfield. Surrounded by
ocean along Mills Peninsula, the community is made up of small houses
and resorts dotting the water. The main transportation route in
Bamfield West is a .8 km (.5 mile) boardwalk that goes along the
shoreline of Bamfield Inlet.
Explore
the area
When you're over in Bamfield West, try exploring the area using
either the Boardwalk or parts of the historic Cape Beale Trail to
Aguilar Point. There also is a short trail that goes to a beautiful
beach called Brady's Beach which overlooks Trevor Channel and Barkley
Sound. You can also stay in Bamfield West at a variety of lodges
that offer fishing charter services.
Bamfield
Boardwalk
The hiking and walking around Bamfield is great. There are short
ones like the one to Keeha Bay or longer ones like the Cape Beale
Trail. For people who like serenity and uniqueness the Boardwalk
in Bamfield West is perfect.
West
Coast Trail
You can also tackle the West Coast Trail which goes from Pachena
Bay to Port Renfrew
through Pacific Rim Park. Remember reservations are required and
the trip requires about 5-7 days.
Pachena
Bay Campground
Definitely the place to camp when you're in Bamfield has to be the
Pachena Bay Campground. This campground is located 3 km (2 miles)
south of Bamfield at the northern end of the West Coast Trail which
runs through Pacific Rim National Park. At Pachena Bay Campground,
you'll get to watch unbelievable sunsets from a campsite that is
set on a beautiful white sandy beach with nature all around.
Huu-ay-aht
First Nation
Pachena Bay Campground and the beach are located on and operated
by the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. As you go through the Huu-ay-aht
settlement of Anacla to get to the campground, have a look for the
traditional artwork and totem poles along the inlet near the mouth
of the Pachena River.
Bamfield
Kayak Festival
Bamfield is very famous for ocean kayaking. You'll find the surrounding
area of Barkley Sound and the Broken Island Group as some of the
best areas in the world. One event is the Bamfield Kayak Festival
held every September that brings together the people of Bamfield
into a celebration of the kayaking potential of Bamfield.
Scuba
Diving
For scuba divers Bamfield has to rate as some of the best in the
world. Crystal clean water with the constant tidal change of Barkley
Sound can provide you with vast quantities of life under the water.
Various guides and boat operators are in Bamfield and can assist
you in finding great scuba diving opportunities.
Last
Cast Guiding
Last Cast Guiding offers Salmon and Halibut fishing charters from
Port Alberni and Bamfield. Last Cast Guiding has top quality fishing
tackle, Transport Canada safety inspected and operating with a 24
foot Wellcraft Coastal off shore fishing vessel including an onboard
washroom.
Poett
Nook Marina and Campground
If you have a boat and would like to have very secure moorage without
the hassle of rafting, try Poett Nook Marina and Campground. The
turnoff is located 18 km (11 miles) from Bamfield on the way to
Franklin River. Poett Nook has a great marina with individual slips
and the campground is very clean, spacious and quite kid-friendly.
Sarita
Lake Recreation Site
Located 31.5 km (20 miles) from Bamfield on the Franklin River-Bamfield
Road is Sarita Lake Recreation Site. If you enjoy a nice quiet lake
with great fishing, especially in the spring and fall, this place
is a real treat.
Rustic
Campgrounds
There is a boat launch available for small boats plus a couple of
small rustic campsites. Watch yourself if you're camping in heavy
rains as the level of the lake can rise very fast.
Information
on Bamfield
Bamfield
West
Bamfield
East
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