Natural History Situated on the Straits of Juan de Fuca, this 59 hectare park is situated on the Strait of Juan de Fuca 5 km east of Jordan River. Beautiful hiking trails lead you through second growth forest of Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar to the beach. You will also find salal, Oregon Grape and evergreen Huckleberries and a large variety of ferns along the trails. Once on the beach, there are excellent whale watching opportunities. These magnificent animals migrate to northern feeding grounds in the spring and return south in the fall.
French Beach is also an excellent location to observe seabirds, bald eagles and ospreys.
Otters, seals and sea lions can also be seen playing offshore. French Beach is located near the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula rain shadow and receives more precipitation than Victoria but much less than areas to the northwest such as Port Renfrew or Bamfield. Local Area Thirteen kilometres northwest of French Beach is the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail . This 47 kilometer wilderness trail, stretching from China Beach to Botanical Beach, offers day or multi-day hiking and viewing opportunities. The communities of Jordan River, Shirley and Sooke provide restaurant and other services for French Beach visitors.