Overview
Pachena Bay is a sand-bottomed beach break tucked into a deep bay that faces southwest, near Bamfield at the start of the 77 km / 48 mi West Coast Trail. The waves are fairly average straighthanders that roll into the bay, and a campground right by the beach makes a handy base for exploring the surrounding wilderness.
When It Works
The bay draws swell from south through west, with southwest (SW) the best match. It works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, peeling over sand into both lefts and rights.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind. The bay can work through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
With its mellow, average waves, Pachena Bay is a good spot for beginners to find their feet.
Access
Pachena Bay sits at the beginning of the West Coast Trail, with the nearby campground doubling as a base. Keep in mind that surfing isn't permitted along the West Coast Trail itself, and nearby Pachena Point, surfed since the 1960s, is off-limits without a boat.
