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Secret Beach a must-visit for Vancouver Island camping, ocean kayaking and culture
Updated:
Posted:
Secret Beach Campground, Toquaht Nation Here at ZenSeekers we cover a lot of camping spots, but none are like Secret Beach Campground and Kayak Launch.
If you got left in the cold recently with the BC Government's opening of camping reservations, warm up with a drive west this spring, summer or fall to check into Secret Beach.
"It's wild here, and you can experience the West Coast spirit as soon as you set up camp," explains experienced sea kayaking guide, Paula Cardenas.
Preview your Secret Beach getaway. Hit play to watch now...
If you've been part of the ZenSeekers community for a while, you already know how epic this place is. For those who need a reminder or a first-time introduction, consider this story to be your golden ticket to one of BC's top camping spots.
Basecamp at Secret Beach for Vancouver Island adventures
Kayak, camp, hike and connect to Toquaht culture, with a stay at Secret Beach
Secret Beach Campground, Marina and kayak launch has been a now seven-year tourism development endeavor for Toquaht Nation.
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the popular campground also makes for a skookum basecamp to access the Pacific west coast and some of BC's top kayaking.
Photo:
Sunseta Media
Camping platforms at Secret Beach overlook the ocean, a paddler's playground accessible via the marina.
Tips to Secret Beach
Here is a roundup of stories we've produced about the destination over the years.
Kayaking the Broken Group Islands via Secret Beach
One of the primary attractions to a Secret Beach visit is unlocking access to the Broken Group Islands, a collection of 100 different islands found within the Pacific Rim National Park. Secret Beach Campground is literally at the entrance to this spot that people come from all over the world to paddle.
Photo:
Logan Moore
Easily launch your kayak or paddleboard from the Secret Beach marina.
In this feature, Comox Valley Paddlers club member Lem Mamers provides a few tips to make the most of your paddle from Secret Beach.
"You can take a week and not do the same route to explore this region, its huge!" says Mamers. One of his favourite paddles is going up Pipe Stem up to Lucky Creek, featuring a waterfall at the end.
Photo:
Sunseta Media
Not a paddler? Fear not as your Secret Beach stay includes lots of hiking, biking, a marina, a cook-house and the ability to step back in time to gain Toquaht Nation perspective.
Photo:
Logan Moore
The flow track at Secret Beach adds another unique element to your stay.
A stay with a bit more soul, know when you choose to camp at Secret Beach, owned by the local Toquaht Nation, you can connect with West Coast indigenous culture, taking a walk on their ever-expanding trail network.
Along the walk look for the culturally modified trees, proving Toquaht Nation's presence here goes back many millennia.
Photo:
Sunseta Media
Toquaht Nation members walk the forests that their people have walked for millenia.
"Right here has always been a place of welcoming people," explains Toquaht's Chief Anne Mack, "To the visitors we invite here, we want them to know who we are and where they are with how they can take care and respect of the land."
When you go
Secret Beach Campground and Kayak Launch is found as you are driving to Ucluelet or Tofino, after you pass through Port Alberni.
Highway 19 out of Nanaimo will take you to the turn off, look for the big wooden carved sign, in total about a two-and-a-half-hour drive.
Consider making it a full-on road trip over a week, pairing your two- or three-night stay at Secret Beach with time in Tofino, Ucluelet and/or Bamfield. This past story on the #indigenouscoastBC road trip explains how to piece 'em all together.
Book your Secret Beach stay today; spots are going fast for summer 2025!
From this map of Secret Beach, here is the layout of the oceanfront campground, and here's a TOP TIP! If you are camping, book out at the Kayak launch area (to the right of the map) for platform camping out over the water.
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