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Sombrio Beach/Waterfall
Sombrio Beach is one of the more well known spots on the Island. Popular for surfing as well as camping Sombrio Beach is similar and very close to Mystic Beach, found along West Coast Road on the way to Port Renfrew from Victoria. As well known as this beach is, there are still some secrets to share, from waterfalls to caves the beach is full of surprises and stunning sights to see. A short walk down from the parking lot through the moss covered trees thriving in the moist environment brings you to the wide open beach. To the right the beach stretches far until it curves around a bend, and to the left a short walk along smooth rounded rocks, life filled tide-pools and sleek black sand until you reach the mouth of the creek flowing into the ocean. Following this creek a mere hundred feet and navigating the wet creekside will bring you into the moss covered canyon, lush with life and a brilliant green glow on the walls where the waterfall drops from about 10 metres and flows down under your feet. Walking directly under the waterfall is doable, but you'll probably get wet toes on the way. After the waterfall, continuing down the beach will bring you to the cave, not clearly visible from the rest of the beach, you have to climb over some rocks and down into the cave which then opens up to form a large cavern with another way out on the other side, being above the tide line, this cave is even accessible at high tide. Personally, the waterfall is the highlight of this short hike.