Vancouver Island, encircled by the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean, Queen Charlotte Sound, Johnstone Strait, Georgia Strait, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, boasts breathtaking beaches. Some even top global lists. The hardest part? Choosing where to visit. Here are 10 of the best the Island has to offer.
1. Chesterman Beach
Ranked sixth in the world by Lonely Planet in 2024, Chesterman Beach has dramatic waves, rocky outcrops and small islands enfold the large sandy beach where surfers flock ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ it's in Tofino, Canada's surfing capital, after all. The natural beauty has an added air of magic during misty mornings or vivid sunsets.
2. Long Beach
Located between Ucluelet and Tofino, the longest beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve spans an extraordinary 16 sandy km. Not only is it prime for long walks, it's also a fantastic spot for surfing, swimming and spotting ocean creatures ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ like crabs, starfish and sea urchins ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ in tidal pools. Nearby, find the Canso Plane Crash Site via a 5 km trail that includes a boardwalk over bog. The Royal Canadian Air Force Canso 11007 that crashed in 1945 is still mostly intact and can be found amid the forest.
3. Sandcut Beach
Take a long descent (400 m) through the rainforest, and you'll emerge at a beautiful cobbled beach with small waterfalls flowing over sandstone bedrock. About 31 km west of Sooke on Highway 14 and part of Jordan River Regional Park, it's a relaxing location for viewing marine life.
4. French Beach Provincial Park
A 5-minute drive from Sandcut is another scenic beauty: this 1,600-metre sand and pebble beach offers year-round vehicle-accessible camping, picnic tables, lush forests with hiking trails, and is only about an hour's drive from Victoria. The atmosphere increases in mysticism when the fog or ocean mist rolls in.
5. Sombrio Beach
About a 40-minute drive north, up the west coast from French Beach is the rugged Sombrio. Located in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, the long, scenic beach is a popular destination for camping, surfing and hiking. Explore a small cave popular with boulderers, or a larger hidden sea cave leading to a slot canyon waterfall.
6. San Josef Bay
Soft, white sand, clear water, sea stacks, towering pines ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ San Josef Bay frequently makes World's Best Beaches lists. It's the easiest and most accessible beach in Cape Scott Provincial Park, but does require a hike to get there (45 minutes [2.5 km] one-way). Located in a protected bay, it offers a tranquil atmosphere and private camping.
7. Schooner Cove
Nature lovers and explorers will love this Tofino beach, which has what many consider as one of the best boardwalk hikes around: a 2 km hike meandering through rainforests and over streams. During low tide, a small island and rocky outcrops can be walked out to, offering a pristine immersion into the area's natural beauty.
8. Willows Beach
With shallow, protected waters, Willows Beach is one of VictoriaÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s most popular for swimming. On a clear day, it offers gorgeous views of Mount Baker and Discovery Island, all the more breathtaking with the pink skies of sunset. Attached is a large grassy park often filled with people playing games and having picnics, plus the Kiwanis Willows Beach Tea Room.
9. Saratoga Beach
The East Coast gets some love with Saratoga Beach. A mile-long, gently sloping stretch north of Courtenay offers warm, shallow and safe swimming conditions, sea life to discover (especially at low tide), and is close to the popular camping and recreational sites at Miracle Beach Provincial Park and Oyster Bay Shoreline Park.
10. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Nestled in Parksville on the east coast, Rathtrevor is one of the Island's most popular family-destination beaches thanks to its sandy beach, hiking opportunities and access to activities. Hike through old-growth Douglas fir trees, picnic by the sea, birdwatch, beachcomb or explore the water with kayaking or skimboarding in a tranquil, natural setting.
This article is from Visitor magazine.
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