Vancouver Island Waterfalls are plentiful and happily take you off the beaten path to enjoy the most beautiful natural environment on earth.
While the West Coast is home to some of the most famous waterfalls in the world, there are also plenty of gems waiting to be discovered off the beaten path.
From secluded cascades tucked away in the rainforest to hidden roadside waterfalls, Vancouver Island is a treasure trove of natural wonders waiting to be explored.
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My favorite Vancouver Island Waterfalls
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 Tour – The Water Element
*Limited to 3 Photographers*
4 days – 3 nights
Slow down. See deeper. Photograph with purpose.
Capture the dynamic energy of waterfalls and other bodies of water on Vancouver Island. This tour is rooted in the Water element, offering a chance to experience nature’s beauty through 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.
- Sturdy Tripod from Peak Design
- Zoom (Canon 24-105mm)
- Long Range Zoom (100-500mm)
- Wide Angle (Rokinon 14mm)
- Remote Trigger (or use in Camera timer)
- Lens Cloths
- ND Filters
- Polarizer
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
- Sandcut Beach
- Eden Falls
- Mystic Beach Falls
- Sombrio Waterfalls (there are two!)
- Lower Myra Falls
- Sitting Lady Falls
- Lupin Falls
- Kuitshe Falls
Vancouver Island Waterfall Photography Spots
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.
Just a kilometre up the road is Mary Vine Falls. Look out for the old, decaying chimney on your left hand side and park just after that. Directly across the road is the access to the short but steep hike up the Mary Vine Falls.
Photographing Mary Vine Falls Tips
- Space here to capture the waterfall from a good point of view is cramped. You might end up standing in the water, so tall waterproof boots or shoes are a must.
- The falls are shaded, capturing a few images for an exposure blend will give your images more detail, rather than just lifting the shadows (as I did here). When we know better, we do better!
Sandcut Beach Waterfall
Leaving Sooke Potholes, you turn right at the lights and drive through the Town of Sooke. There are many stores and places to get gas and food here. I suggest you do both as there is no gas station until nearly the end of your journey (which may or may not be open!)
Grab food, coffee and desert at Shirley Delicious. It’s amazing! Don’t take my word for it, here is a write up from the NY Times!
Sandcut Beach is part of the Jordan River Regional Park. There is no charge for parking and washrooms at the small parking lot.
This is a popular destination, so parking is hard to get during peak days/times. The hike to the falls is about 10 mins and its easy peasy.
This waterfall is seasonal: come after May/June and there is usually only a trickle if any water at all.
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
Discover Your Next Journey – These Tours are designed for people who connect with light and landscape.
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
