REGION History

The Shirley/Jordan River area is a rural community of nearly two hundred households. Located between the boundary of Otter Point and the new China Beach Provincial Park campground, most residents live along Highway 14, which winds along the coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Most houses are on the waterfront side of the highway. The rocky terrain and forestry lands of the opposite side are home to deer, cougars and bears. French Beach Provincial Park is located in the middle of the area. Jordan River is the site of a dedicated local surf scene.

Average Temp.


High

14

Low

4
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Temp. 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 14 13 9 6 4

High

57

Low

39
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average Temp. 39 41 43 46 50 54 57 57 55 48 42 39

Places to Stay

This small community offers several campsites, a vacation home and a variety of inns and resorts. Many boast some of the best panoramic views of the strait and Olympic mountain ranges. Enjoy experiencing the many hiking trails amid the trees, Salmon fishing, scuba diving, and a diversity of wildlife all practically a step away.

Bed & Breakfast
Campgrounds & RV Resorts
Bed & Breakfast
Hotels & Resorts
Vacation Home Rentals
Vacation Home Rentals

Jordan River

Surfing

“Historically a logging camp, River Jordan has become a surfing town thanks to long wrapping rights known as The Point, Sewers, and Rock Piles[…]. Despite being somewhat inconsistent, these waves crank when it’s on, which is mid-winter, big W-NW swell and a NE wind. The Point at the rivermouth can have very long rides (and some lefts back into the river), down the line speed walls and bowly barrel sections over the sand boulder mix.”

7ft
Swells
10km
Winds
6 spots
For Surfing,
Windsurfing & Kiteboarding
Mid
Winter
Best Surf

AS LOCAL AS LOCAL CAN BE

Most residents in Shirley and Jordan River are either self-employed (in the tourist industry, as artisans or with home based businesses, including contract and consulting work), retired, or commute daily to work in Sooke or Victoria. The largest employers in the community are Western Forest Products and the fifty year old Point-No-Point Resort. There are also four restaurants in the area and several B&B’s.


Stay and Explore

Mystic Beach

Wild Beaches

“The two kilometre trail from China beach trailhead of the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail to Mystic beach provides a good taste of what it would be like to hike the longer more rugged West coast trail. This was a return day trip for me having first discovered the trail several years ago before the Marine Trail was completed. You get a variety of trail-heavy rooted single track; old skid road; and a long drop down to the beach along a felled and notched tree. Once at the beach be sure to go east, or left, and walk along the beach to a hanging waterfall. On my last visit the sea was quite wild and the breakers were very impressive.”

A GROWING COMMUNITY

There is a desire to see development which will allow residents to both live and work in the area. The community is not adverse to further residential or commercial growth, including light industry, as long as it is located in the areas identified as suitable in the official community plan.


Explore the Area

Camping

Juan De Fuca Provincial Park

Camping

This area offers vehicle accessible campsites. The campground is located in a forested area with open understory just east of the China Beach day-use area and Juan de Fuca East trailhead. Open and fees for services collected May 15 to September 15. Check in for reservation holders is 1 PM to 10 PM. Check out time is 11 AM. Gates open 7 AM and close at 11 PM. On October 1st, campground gate is locked. Take a Closer Look ›

Fish & Chips By the Sea

Food Trucks

This awesome food truck can sometimes be hard to find as the truck changes places and can be found anywhere along the west coast. “Hungry hikers and Pacific Rimmers take note, a stop by Jordan River before entering the Juan de Fuca Park (or the many beaches that line the west coast of Vancouver Island), is worth making a stop for. Well, if anyone needs plenty of calories to burn before undertaking those hikes towards those many quiet (and popular) beaches, Fish n’ Chips by the Sea is a unique operation that, so I hear, runs rain or shine.”

Sandcut Creek

Water Falls

A short walk through the forest, along a trail, boardwalk and down a set of stairs leads to Sandcut Beach, a long cobble shore along the Juan de Fuca Strait. This day-use area is a longtime favourite of locals. Sandcut Beach is currently held as park reserve with no facilities. Three and a half kilometre cobble beach along the Strait of Juan de Fuca campground trail through coastal hemlock and cedar forest fabulous views of the Olympic Peninsula. Take a Closer Look ›

Sandcut Falls

China Beach

China Beach

Day Trips

“It is a spectacular spot for family outings and day trips. The fifteen to twenty minute hike (each way) through the first-growth forest of Sitka spruce, Douglas fir and western red cedar leads visitors to the great rolling breakers of a tumultuous sea. The fine sand beach is ideal for picnicking, sand building, wading and relaxing – and it is a beach that is exceptional to comb after tides recede. Take a short walk to the western end of the beach to the waterfall, or wander at length to the east.”Take a Closer Look ›

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