Canada · Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Della Falls
One of Canada's tallest waterfalls tumbles down a remote Vancouver Island valley reachable only by boating the length of Great Central Lake followed by a strenuous day-long hike. Its remoteness keeps visitor numbers far lower than falls of comparable height elsewhere in North America.
One of Canada's tallest waterfalls tumbles down a remote Vancouver Island valley reachable only by boating the length of Great Central Lake followed by a strenuous day-long hike. Its remoteness keeps visitor numbers far lower than falls of comparable height elsewhere in North America.
Della Falls drops 440 metres (1444 ft) on the Drinkwater Creek, inside Strathcona Provincial Park. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Port Alberni, with YPB the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard.
Summer snowmelt keeps the multi-tiered drop fullest; access requires a boat crossing plus a full-day hike.
What you can do here
Camping
Falls where you can legally sleep within earshot of the water.
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
When to go
Summer snowmelt keeps the multi-tiered drop fullest; access requires a boat crossing plus a full-day hike.
Entry: Free; boat shuttle on Great Central Lake extra
Getting there
- Base townPort Alberni
- AirportYPB
- CountryCanada
- RegionVancouver Island, British Columbia, North America
- AccessHard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide
On the map
49.4167, -125.4833
Quick answers
How tall is Della Falls?
Della Falls drops 440 metres (1444 feet). It is a tiered-type waterfall on the Drinkwater Creek.
When is the best time to visit Della Falls?
Peak flow is June to August. Summer snowmelt keeps the multi-tiered drop fullest; access requires a boat crossing plus a full-day hike.
What can you do at Della Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: camping, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide.
How do you get to Della Falls?
The usual base is Port Alberni, and the closest airport is YPB. A serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide from there. Free; boat shuttle on Great Central Lake extra.
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