Botanical Beach closed for 24 hours to allow for Pacheedaht First Nation’s marine harvest

Botanical Beach, which is located in the Juan de Fuca Park, will be closed for the next 24 hours to allow for the privacy of members of the Pacheedaht First Nation. 

The Nation’s members require this time, space and privacy to allow them to conduct a harvest on marine resources they are entitled to, and to allow them a chance to reconnect with the land that is an integral part of their territory. 

This closure will take place this coming weekend, beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 24th, and ending at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 25th. 

According to the BC government, during this time, visitors can make use of other day-use areas in Juan de Fuca Park, such as Mystic Beach, Sombrio Beach and China Beach.

Botanical Beach is one of the most sought out beaches in the region due to its natural beauty and tide pools, and is one of four main areas in Juan de Fuca Park.

The beach’s tide pools display a variety of unique marine flora and fauna, such as red, purple and orange starfish, sea urchins, white gooseneck barnacles, blue mussels, green sea anemones and sea cucumbers.

To the Pacheedaht Peoples, Botanical Beach is known as “Big Wave Beach.” 

Not all that long ago, Pacheedaht had a village called li:xʷa, located just above Botanical Beach which allowed them to facilitate stewardship of the area and its rich marine resources that continue to sustain Pacheedaht culture to this day.

Due to the popularity of the beach, caused by its photogenic nature, the resources Pacheedaht have relied on for time immemorial are now challenging to access and connect with. 

This temporary closure is part of a joint initiative by BC Parks and the Pacheedaht First Nation to collaboratively manage Juan de Fuca Park. 

Any visitors who arrive at Botanical Beach during the temporary closure will be politely turned away and asked to visit one of the park’s other three magnificent beaches.