Port Renfrew Wander

All photos taken on May 17, 2022.

Port Renfrew is a small unincorporated community located on the south shore of Port San Juan, an inlet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Port Renfrew has a population of 144 (as of the 2016 Canadian census)^[and has been touted as “the Tall Tree Capital of Canada”.

Port Renfrew has been the home of First Nations since time immemorial. The Pacheedaht First Nation, meaning “People of the Sea Foam”, have traditional village sites in and around the main town centre.

Originally named Port San Juan, the original settlers changed the name to honour Lord Renfrew, who planned to settle crofters there. The name change was due to mail being sent to the San Juan Islands instead of Port San Juan and the inlet that the town sits beside, retains the name. Like many coastal Vancouver Island communities, Port Renfrew has a rich history of forestry and fishing.

Between 1830 and 1925, 137 major shipping tragedies have occurred in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This stretch of coastline around Port Renfrew became known as the Graveyard of the Pacific.

(Source: Wikipedia)

This was not the first time we were in Port Renfrew. We first visited here on February 12, 2018, with Pat’s Dad. The road in from Sooke was twisty and hilly, but the views at the end of the road were well worth the drive.

When we could not find accommodation in Tofino/Ucluelet, I suggested Port Renfrew and here we are.

Back from the Avatar Apparition, we opted to saunter into the small village to see what was going on. It was a short saunter.

wildflowers along the road

view of the main pier from near our cottage

close up of the pier

pier and Wild Renfrew Coastal Cottages

Port Renfrew Pub and Hotel – many stay here before or after completing the 75 km West Coast Trail hike

Port San Juan

Port Renfrew Hotel from the pier

walking down the pier

this map shows the lay of the land – Our cottage is the last one to the left – just before the marina

looking toward the marina

looking out to sea

closeup

we had the pier mostly to ourselves

our cottage area across the water – our cottage is furthest to the left

Coastal Cottages

walking back

If we could only walk on water, we would be home in no time

During peak season and peak West Coast Trail hiking season, accommodation is at a premium, but this is first time I have seen a travel trailer with an add-on roof

Wood carvings

After our exploration, it was back to the cottage.

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