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My favorite Vancouver Island Waterfalls

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Best Time of Year to View Vancouver Island Waterfalls

The best time to view Vancouver Island waterfalls is Mar, April, Oct and Nov.  If we have a wetter than normal spring and summer, waterfall viewing *could* be done through May, June and September, but don’t get your hopes up.  All you might find is a small trickle where there was once a raging fall or even worse, not a drop of water! 

Vancouver Island Waterfall Photography: What to Expect

We live in a rainforest, which means, it rains all the time!   What can seem like a sunny day can quickly become a sideways downpour so locals know to be prepared for anything.  Always pack your water resistant or water proof clothing, camera bag cover and rain cover.  Even a small towel can be helpful if it’s a real deluge.   

Here is a list of the other things I recommend you to bring so you can create the best quality images. 

Map of Vancouver Island Waterfalls for You

I created a map for you to these 9 Vancouver Island Waterfalls, a Huge tree, and Eden’s Grove.

Click here to get my Unique Google Vancouver Island Waterfall Map Made JUST for My Readers!

Here is a quick list of waterfalls and a handy map you can use to explore them all.

• Mary Vine Falls
• Sombrio Waterfalls (there are two!)
• Sandcut Beach
• Eden Falls
• Mystic Beach Falls
• Lower Myra Falls
• Sitting Lady Falls
• Lupin Falls
• Kuitshe Falls

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Vancouver Island Waterfall Photography Spots

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Mary Vine Falls

Starting out from downtown Victoria, you will want to head out Highway 1 – Trans Canada Highway going “up island”.  Click on my link below for exact directions to this and all the other locations.  Follow this, until you hit the intersection of the Highway and Westshore Parkway and turn left.

You will drive through the newly built neighborhoods and many roundabouts (always go straight through each roundabout) until you reach Highway 14, which intersects with Westshore Parkway.  Turn right and keep going straight.  Signs will direct you to Sooke Potholes Park, where you turn left.

5kms in, you will come to Sooke Potholes Park. Park in the first parking lot on your left. Across the road, you will see Tod Creek. There isn’t really any hiking required, although you might find the rocks slippery from waterfall mist so tread lightly.

Sombrio Hidden Waterfall

Photographing Sombrio Waterfall (s) Tips

• Shoot vertically to emphasize the height and narrowness of the canyon. 
• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the lush greenery framing the falls. 
• Visit mid-day when sunlight streams into the canyon, creating a mystical glow. 
• Early morning is the best light for the 2nd waterfall
• Try a zoom lens on the 2nd waterfall to capture details that may be lost in the scene with an ultra wide angle

Sandcut Beach Waterfall

Photographing Sandcut Falls Tips

• Try creating images from all angles, not just the front of the falls, including the pools that sometimes form in front of the falls
• Get creative with your foreground and the beach
• Go wide or use a zoom, these falls are versatile and offer many possible images

Eden Falls Port Renfrew 

Known as the Tall Tree Capital Of Canada, there are numerous huge old growth trees that you can visit as part of your waterfall tour.  But, they are truly a trip of their own.  They include Big Lonely Doug, Avatar Grove, Eden’s Grove, Red Creek Fir, and the San Juan Spruce.

About 5 kms past Avatar Grove there is a road on your right hand side. Turn down this road and follow it until you come to a large clearing on your right. There you will see Big Lonely Doug. There is a path down the slope into the clearcut slash that you can follow to visit the base of this enourmous tree.

Once you are ready, you continue making your way down the road for a very short distance. On your left, you will see the waterfall below as you cross a small bridge. You can park on the side of the road after the bridge.

On the left hand side of the road, there is a small path that you can navigate all the way down to the cool swimming hole and waterfall pictured here. Careful though; on the other side of the waterfall is a pretty steep drop off into a series of pools that eventually lead into the forest below.

Photographing Eden Falls Tips

• Be careful getting into the water and safeguard your gear from falling in
• Morning/early afternoon are best light to capture this waterfall
• Wide angle lenses work best here

Mystic Beach Waterfall

The path takes you over a suspension bridge to cross Pete Wolfe Creek and over hiking terrain that is full of roots to navigate. At times the path isn’t too obvious so keep a keen eye out for worn areas and follow those. This way the hike is about 4 kms roundtrip and is considered intermediate. At the end, you decent a TON of stairs to the beach.

The waterfall streaming off the cliffs is on the left hand side. Also cool, is the sea cave on the far end of the right hand side of the beach.

The second way to the beach cuts off about 2 kms round trip of the forest hike and the suspension bridge. To get to the hidden trailhead you drive past the China Beach entrance for a moment or two and then you will come to a bridge labelled “Pete Wolfe Creek” .

Slow down here and pull a U turn and park on the grass/gravel right before the cement barrier on the left hand side of the road. Make sure your vehicle isn’t blocking traffic at all when you park. Now, look down through the bush and you will see a well worn path going down and to your right. That is the hidden bridge cut off path you can take.

Photographing Mystic Beach Falls

• This is a hit or miss waterfall, after a good rain, you can capture it
• The beauty is really capture with the context of the oceanfront and beautiful sky
• A standard zoom or wide angle lens would do well here
• Morning light is best, in the afternoon the sun shines right on the falls, blowing out the highlights

Sitting Lady Falls – Witty’s Lagoon

Sitting Lady Falls is nestled in a forested area, creating opportunities to frame your shots with the vibrant greens of moss-covered rocks and ferns. Best to cross over to the viewing platform and go to the very right on the platform.

A slow shutter speed will help capture the delicate motion of the water. Use a tripod to avoid camera shake.

I like to try for 1 second or less, finding success with .8 seconds. This seems to provide texture to the water while continuing to give the water that ethereal flow everyone loves so much. Try different speeds with your camera and lens set up and see what you like best.

During the rainy season, the waterfall has a stronger flow, offering more dramatic shots. In summer, the reduced flow highlights the detailed textures of the rock face. 

Photographing Sitting Lady Falls Tips

• Bring a polarizing filter to reduce glare on the water and enhance the lush colors of the surroundings
• Consider taking a wide-angle lens to capture the waterfall within its lush forest environment
• Anytime of day is great for this waterfall
• Exposure blending may be necessary to capture all the details of the surrounding lush forest greenery

Lupin Falls (Strathcona Park)

Photographing Lupin Falls Tips

• Shooting vertically with a wider angle enhances the feel of these small falls
• Nearly always shaded, except for random dappled light through the canopy means these falls are great to photograph any time of day
• Lots of rocky foreground to capture, try shooting from different angles

Kuitshe Falls

Photographing Kuitshe Falls Tips

• Cloudy day, early morning, or later afternoon are the best light for this waterfall
• A wide angle lens is necessary because there isn’t much space between this falls and the road
• You will have to stand in the water to get this shot so be prepared with proper shoes/boots
• Try different angles: get low, or shoot these falls from head on

Waterfall Thoughts

Waterfalls are nature’s sacred altars, where the four elements converge in harmonious splendor. At the heart of their allure lies water, a symbol of emotion, intuition, and flow. The cascading torrents remind us of life’s constant motion—of release, renewal, and transformation.

The earth provides a stable foundation, shaping the waterfall’s journey and anchoring its beauty in rugged cliffs and mossy rocks. Together, they create a space where humanity feels profoundly connected to nature’s rhythms. 

Perhaps we are drawn to waterfalls because they awaken something ancient within us. The sight of water tumbling endlessly over stone evokes the eternal dance between power and surrender.

They invite us to stand still and witness the raw, elemental forces of creation.

The Power of Nature’s Spectacle 

To stand before a waterfall is to commune with the fire of raw energy—the sheer power of water plunging over cliffs, carving paths through stone over millennia. This is the fire of transformation, harnessed not in flames but in motion, as the water’s relentless flow reshapes the earth below.

Air plays its role too, carrying the mist and sound of the falls to those who stand in reverence nearby. The rushing water creates gusts of wind that whip through canyons and forests, infusing the air with a charged vitality.

The Soothing Sound of Flowing Water 

The sound of a waterfall is more than just pleasant white noise—it is a hymn sung by the water element, a song that carries healing and peace.

Water is a mirror of our emotions, and its rhythmic flow has the power to calm the restless mind and soothe the soul. The interplay between water and earth creates a grounding energy, reminding us to let go, to flow, to trust the natural cycles of life. 

As we listen to the cascading streams, we are reminded to embrace change, to release what no longer serves us, and to find solace in the constant movement of life. The sound is not just heard—it is felt, vibrating through the body. 

The Mesmerizing Beauty of Cascading Streams 

Waterfalls are not merely landscapes; they are places where the elements unite in perfect balance. The earth provides the structure, the steadfast cliffs and mossy rocks over which the water tumbles.

The water flows with grace, reflecting the light of the sun to create rainbows that symbolize hope and renewal. The air carries the mist upward, inviting us to breathe deeply and immerse ourselves in the wonder of the moment.

Each waterfall is unique, a testament to the diversity of the natural world. At Sombrio’s hidden cascade, the serenity of the forest surrounds the flow, a perfect place to meditate on the interconnectedness of all things.

Whether grand or modest, waterfalls serve as reminders of the beauty and balance of the elements, inviting us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the sacred in the everyday. 

Vancouver Island Waterfalls as Sacred Spaces 

Waterfalls are more than beautiful places; they are portals to allowing us to feel the presence of something greater.

Visiting a waterfall is a ritual of grounding in the earth, flowing with the water, breathing deeply of the air, and feeling the transformative energy.

To photograph a waterfall is to capture the essence of these elements, preserving a moment of balance and connection.

Whether you seek inspiration, healing, or simply a reminder of nature’s beauty, waterfalls offer a timeless sanctuary—a meeting place of the elements and a reflection of the spiritual forces that shape our world. 

Leave No Trace Principles: Minimizing Our Impact on Fragile Ecosystems 

As visitors to these natural wonders, it’s our responsibility to ensure that we leave no trace and minimize our impact on fragile ecosystems. By following the principles of Leave No Trace, we can help preserve these stunning landscapes for future generations to enjoy. 

Final Thoughts: Vancouver Island Waterfalls

Vancouver Island waterfalls offer an incredible blend of raw natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and accessible adventures for photographers of all levels.

Whether you’re capturing the powerful rush of a hidden cascade deep in the rainforest or the delicate mist of a coastal fall spilling onto a rocky shore, each waterfall offers you the chance to tell a unique story.

With the right techniques and a creative eye, you can use your camera to preserve not just the image, but the essence of these breathtaking places.