Handsome Dans guidebook & Important things to know about travelling to Port Renfrew BC and area
Handsome Dan Enterprises Inc.
Handsome Dans guidebook & Important things to know about travelling to Port Renfrew BC and area
Sightseeing
The coast features stunning sculptural formations and tidepools carved out by sea-tossed boulders, providing homes to a rich variety of intertidal marine life.
The conditions in tides and temperature create a habitat for species well adapted to the rugged environment, such as sea stars, anemones, chitons, mussels, and snails.
Visiting Port Renfrew and not hiking at Botanical Beach would be like visiting New York City and not going to the Statue of Liberty. Botanical Beach and nearby Botany Bay can be accessed at the end of Cerantes Road from the large roundabout parking lot in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Marine Park which includes a great nearby picnic table area.
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Botanical Beach Provincial Park
The coast features stunning sculptural formations and tidepools carved out by sea-tossed boulders, providing homes to a rich variety of intertidal marine life.
The conditions in tides and temperature create a habitat for species well adapted to the rugged environment, such as sea stars, anemones, chitons, mussels, and snails.
Visiting Port Renfrew and not hiking at Botanical Beach would be like visiting New York City and not going to the Statue of Liberty. Botanical Beach and nearby Botany Bay can be accessed at the end of Cerantes Road from the large roundabout parking lot in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Marine Park which includes a great nearby picnic table area.
Sombrio Beach is a hidden gem for surfers and less crowded than Jordan River; more private and inviting too. Sombrio Beach is only an easy 15 minute hike from the parking lot. Once at the beach, look for the hidden waterfall, unless someone tells you about it, you could easily miss it, despite it being so close.
Approximately 25 minutes drive from Port Renfrew.
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Sombrio Beach Trailhead
Sombrio Beach is a hidden gem for surfers and less crowded than Jordan River; more private and inviting too. Sombrio Beach is only an easy 15 minute hike from the parking lot. Once at the beach, look for the hidden waterfall, unless someone tells you about it, you could easily miss it, despite it being so close.
Approximately 25 minutes drive from Port Renfrew.
Mystic beach is about a 2km (45 min) hike from the parking lot to the beach through beautiful ancient forest and well maintain trail.
You will pass a cool suspension bridge about half way. There are small caves on the western side of the beach that you can reach and explore during low tide and the waterfall on the east side is for sure going to catch your attention. At low tide, you can walk right under it.
Approximately 40 - 45 minutes from Port Renfrew. Use the China Beach Trailhead entry.
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Mystic Beach
Mystic beach is about a 2km (45 min) hike from the parking lot to the beach through beautiful ancient forest and well maintain trail.
You will pass a cool suspension bridge about half way. There are small caves on the western side of the beach that you can reach and explore during low tide and the waterfall on the east side is for sure going to catch your attention. At low tide, you can walk right under it.
Approximately 40 - 45 minutes from Port Renfrew. Use the China Beach Trailhead entry.
Approximately a 15 minute drive from Port Renfrew.
Great hike must see!
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Avatar Grove
Approximately a 15 minute drive from Port Renfrew.
Great hike must see!
Big Lonely Doug
4x4 Vehicle recommended.
Fairy Lake
Great Lake to SUP and raft boat around!
Lizard Lake
Great Lake to SUP and raft boat around!
China Beach (Canada)
Food scene
The Renfrew Pub is a locals favorite, with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. It's the perfect place to go after enjoying some time on Snuggery Cove’s beautiful waters or while waiting for your boat!
Enjoy micro-brews, tasty fare, and nautical charm along with pool tables that will keep you entertained throughout any trip. Sit outside-whether it be during sunset hours when all of nature takes center stage before our eyes; afterwards we can return here again another day because this pub has great food and drinks.
Check Facebook page for current hours. Open year round; operating hours vary.
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The Renfrew Pub
17310 Parkinson RdThe Renfrew Pub is a locals favorite, with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. It's the perfect place to go after enjoying some time on Snuggery Cove’s beautiful waters or while waiting for your boat!
Enjoy micro-brews, tasty fare, and nautical charm along with pool tables that will keep you entertained throughout any trip. Sit outside-whether it be during sunset hours when all of nature takes center stage before our eyes; afterwards we can return here again another day because this pub has great food and drinks.
Check Facebook page for current hours. Open year round; operating hours vary.
More than just a marina, they are the West Coast's dining destination.
Check website for current hours. Typically open year round.
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Bridgemans West Coast Eatery
17110 Parkinson RdMore than just a marina, they are the West Coast's dining destination.
Check website for current hours. Typically open year round.
Great for breakfast. check for hours. Open for summer season, hours vary.
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Tomi's Home Style Cooking
17152 Parkinson RdGreat for breakfast. check for hours. Open for summer season, hours vary.
Coastal Kitchen Cafe
17245 Parkinson RdOpen typically June - Sept only.
Great little pizza place located in the Beach Camp community. Only open Fri and Saturday.
Port Renfrew
Great little pizza place located in the Beach Camp community. Only open Fri and Saturday.
Port Renfrew
located at 17271 Parkinson Rd, Port Renfrew
Hours Vary
Miss May’s ice cream
Gas
Pacheedaht Gas Bar
16947 Parkinson RoadGas Station and Propane Needs
Boating, Fishing
Fishing Charters and Boating, boat mooring and trailer storage during your stay
* Please note the marina does not book fishing charters, you will have to find and book a fishing charter guide**
Pacific Gateway Marina
17110 Parkinson RdFishing Charters and Boating, boat mooring and trailer storage during your stay
* Please note the marina does not book fishing charters, you will have to find and book a fishing charter guide**
Shopping
Sarah Grace Boutique
17293 Parkinson Rd
17152 Parkinson Rd
Childs Collective - west coast merch and local goods
Artisans Well Gallery & Gifts Port Renfrew
Things to Do
*New Fall 2024*
Yoga Classes @ Wild Coast in The Lodge ✨🌊
Weekly schedule will be shared on IG at hitide.yoga
- class times will fluctuate through fall & winter.
~morning flow~ is an all levels hatha-vinyasa practice designed in the moment, for the practitioner. Best way to start the day!
Port Renfrew
*New Fall 2024*
Yoga Classes @ Wild Coast in The Lodge ✨🌊
Weekly schedule will be shared on IG at hitide.yoga
- class times will fluctuate through fall & winter.
~morning flow~ is an all levels hatha-vinyasa practice designed in the moment, for the practitioner. Best way to start the day!
Gear Up for Aquatic Adventure: Rent Your Watersports Fun! For use on Flat water only. Take out to Fairy or Lizard lake for some family fun!
Handsome Dan *Guests who rent equipment during their stay receive a 25% discount on the rental!
***Delivered to your door!
Available for delivery only within the town of Port Renfrew. Address and clear directions required.
Drop off done between 8:30 -9:30 am and pick up is done at 5:30pm.
If drop off is at Pacheedaht campground, please meet us at the entrance of the campground.
Please put address of drop off in your booking info
***How far in Advance should you book?
Please pre-book your equipment a minimum of 1 day in advance. Sorry no same day bookings.
Please note there is a limited number available, so please book early :)
****Accepted Payment types
We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express Credit Cards only. Credit card on file required to book. (Sorry our system cannot process visa or mastercard DEBIT cards)
*Deposit
We will take a $250 dollar refundable deposit per rental item.
Deposit is refunded to the credit card on return of all the equipment in satisfactory condition. Though the refund is processed immediately after equipment return it can take up to 10 business days for your credit card company to post the refund to your card.
***Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made via email 7 days prior to rental or through the booking site. If cancelling via email, you can reply to your rental equipment confirmation email.
Deposit and rental payment are taken once within the 7 day cancellation period
***How do I get 25% off?
One of the benefits of booking your short term accommodation through Handsome Dans is if you book a watersport equipment rental during your stay you save 25%
To save the 25% please let us know your booking confirmation number at time of booking, or 7 days prior to your booking. Simply send us a message, or include your confirmation number in the “requests” section when booking your watersport rental.
***How long do I get my rental for?
Each rental is for the day, starting at drop off between 8:30-9:30am and pick up at 5:30pm.
Port Renfrew
Gear Up for Aquatic Adventure: Rent Your Watersports Fun! For use on Flat water only. Take out to Fairy or Lizard lake for some family fun!
Handsome Dan *Guests who rent equipment during their stay receive a 25% discount on the rental!
***Delivered to your door!
Available for delivery only within the town of Port Renfrew. Address and clear directions required.
Drop off done between 8:30 -9:30 am and pick up is done at 5:30pm.
If drop off is at Pacheedaht campground, please meet us at the entrance of the campground.
Please put address of drop off in your booking info
***How far in Advance should you book?
Please pre-book your equipment a minimum of 1 day in advance. Sorry no same day bookings.
Please note there is a limited number available, so please book early :)
****Accepted Payment types
We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express Credit Cards only. Credit card on file required to book. (Sorry our system cannot process visa or mastercard DEBIT cards)
*Deposit
We will take a $250 dollar refundable deposit per rental item.
Deposit is refunded to the credit card on return of all the equipment in satisfactory condition. Though the refund is processed immediately after equipment return it can take up to 10 business days for your credit card company to post the refund to your card.
***Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made via email 7 days prior to rental or through the booking site. If cancelling via email, you can reply to your rental equipment confirmation email.
Deposit and rental payment are taken once within the 7 day cancellation period
***How do I get 25% off?
One of the benefits of booking your short term accommodation through Handsome Dans is if you book a watersport equipment rental during your stay you save 25%
To save the 25% please let us know your booking confirmation number at time of booking, or 7 days prior to your booking. Simply send us a message, or include your confirmation number in the “requests” section when booking your watersport rental.
***How long do I get my rental for?
Each rental is for the day, starting at drop off between 8:30-9:30am and pick up at 5:30pm.
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Groceries
If you are looking for a remote community with few amenities, then Port Renfrew may be the place.
- The community of Port Renfrew is remote and there's no grocery store. However, you can purchase some produce at the The General Store aka San Juan Market and get your beer & liquor needs met! It is recommended to bring groceries and food for your stay with you.
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Cell Service
Unfortunately, there's currently limited cell service in Port Renfrew.
We suggest you be prepared to disconnect from social media and other apps while here so that your phone has more battery life for exploring!
WiFi is available at various locations - make sure to turn on "WiFi Calling" before coming out.
UPDATE MAY 2023- If you have Rogers, Shaw or Fido you should have cell service in Port Renfrew. As of May 2024 Telus has service with limited data.
cell phone may data roam with the US towers across the ocean
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wifi
Wifi is available at each cottage Handsome Dan represents
WiFi can be slow sometimes, especially during peak times. It's important to bear in mind that our remote internet connection speed is limited and we may experience slower streaming services like Netflix as well as larger file uploads because limitation on bandwidth available at any given time (streaming requires more data per second). We recommend downloading movies to your device before coming out.
We have a few cottages with High Speed Starlink Internet available. If the cottage you rented has High Speed Internet it is listed.
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vehicle required
Port Renfrew is a small town with no taxi, bus or uber services. Please drive out with a vehicle.
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watersport rentals
Handsome Dan's offers watersport rentals as of June 2024. We have SUPs (stand up paddle board) and a 3 person raft boat. All are inflatable, and for flat water use only.
Handsome Dan guests receive 25% off during their stay with proof of reservation. Please contact Handsome Dan's to see how to rent one of these. Supplies are limited so pre book .
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Cash to Bring
We highly recommend you bring a minimum of $100 Canadian dollars cash with you in an assortment of Canadian 5,10 and 20 dollar bills in case an ATM or a business card processor is not working.Cash can be hard to get in Port Renfrew as there are only 2 ATMs in town.
There are 2 located in town. One at The Renfrew Pub and another at Coastal Kitchen Cafe.
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Port Renfrew Visitor Center
** Open June - Sept with staff to assist you
Thurs - Monday 1030am to 6pm.
Located at At the back of the Gas Station at 16947 Parkinson Rd click the link for google map location here
Free Starlink High Speed WIFI Access
Network: Port Renfrew Visitor Centre
Password: VICGuest
Other places to access Free WiFi in town:
The Government Dock / Renfrew Pub Area
Bridgemans
Beach camp area (by the kid’s park)
Pacheedaht North Campsite
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Firewood/Kindling
Contact us to see if firewood is supplied by the cottage owner. Please note there is no guarantee there will be dry wood to use. Please bring a small amount of wood with you along with kindling/fire starters. There are many suppliers of firewood on the drive out just look for the little signs on the side of the road.
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If you are bringing a boat/Travel Trailer/RV
Please book your moorage / trailer storage with Bridgemans Pacific Gateway Marina.
***** Please note boats, travel trailers, RV's are NOT
permitted in the Wild Coast Cottage community****
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Stairs to Pacific Gateway Marina & Bridgemans
Stairs to Pacific Gateway Marina & Bridgemans from Wild Coast Cottage Community
Sorry the stairs to the marina on our old cottage maps are not accessible due to maintenance issues. To access you will have to drive or walk the long way to the marina (about 10 minutes)