Top 10 Best Vancouver Island Beaches To Visit

Beaches are considered the epitome of calmness and tranquility. And quite really, who doesn’t love beaches? Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Vancouver lies the Vancouver Island at the southern tip of British Columbia. Vancouver Island is the perfect gateway for the beach-lovers who aren’t satisfied with the backwater beaches of Vancouver city. It is well-known for its beautiful sandy beaches and serene atmosphere. If you are someone who loves a good ‘beach-cation’ then you need to visit these best Vancouver Island beaches. 

Chesterman Beach

Chesterman Beach in Tofino is one of North America’s most captivating places located near the Pacific Rim. It is popular among tourists for the plenty of adventures it offers. The beach is quite busy every season because of the great surfing conditions at all times of the year. One of the things that make Chesterman Beach a top-rated Vancouver Island beach is the ample activities it offers. You can enjoy a lovely picnic,  witness a stunning sunset, or even ride a bicycle. This beach also got a small island that is easily accessible during low tide. 

China Beach

China Beach in Victoria is popular for its breathtaking views and plenty of sandy space for a daytime picnic. It is located near the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Vancouver Island and is ideal for a walk, sunbathing hiking too. The hike is not very challenging and it leads to a waterfall by the western end of the beach. You can also get to spot whales during the fall or spring season.

Must Read: Things To Do In Victoria on a Staycation From Vancouver

Tribune Bay

Popularly called the ‘Hawaii of Canada’ the Tribune Bay is located in Hornby Island. This is one of the best Vancouver Island beaches along the east coast and has a high resemblance to the beaches of Hawaii. The warm saltwater of Tribune Bay beach makes it ideal for swimming during low tide. You can also sunbathe at this sandy beach on Vancouver Island. 

Kye Bay

Are you looking for an ideal beach for kids? If you want to spend time with your little one then you should go to Kye Bay beach in the Comox Valley is the softest sand among all sandy beaches on Vancouver Island. It is perfect to visit with kids as the soft sand is best to build sandcastles with your little ones. There is also a dog park and a small picnic area.

Florencia Beach

With all these beautiful Vancouver Island beaches on this list, the Florencia beach located in the Pacific Rim National Park near the town of Tofino is the ideal beach to visit on the Vancouver Island for alone time. The beach is sparsely crowded and its magnificent blue waters and palm trees make it an excellent spot for some alone time. It is very popular for paddleboarding around the limestone cliffs emerging out of the water.

Mystic beach

As the name suggests, the Mystic beach near the town of Victoria is notably the most beautiful Vancouver Island beach on this list. It is located near the western coast of the Island. It has some of the most breathtaking Pacific ocean views and is located within the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. The path to Mystic Beach winds through a gorgeous dense coastal forest, via sidewalks, then over a viaduct. If you want to spot marine life then you can be in luck to see orcas and gray whales on the beach during fall and spring.

Cox Bay

For all the surfing enthusiasts, the Cox Bay on the Pacific Rim provides incredible opportunities for surfing at Vancouver Island. Other than surfing, Coz bay beach is ideal for walking, swimming, and collecting seashells. It is also one of the most visited beaches during the Tofino Storm watching season. The Coz bay lookout near the beach is a 1.6-mile trail and it is very commonly used for hiking. 

Pachena Bay

The Pachena Bay in Bamfield is a part of the 75kms long West Coast trail located in Tofino. This sandy beach on Vancouver Island is a white sand beach that offers the best adventure activities to do like camping, beachcombing, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and hiking. During the spring season, the coast of the beach is surfaced with big wooden logs washed away during the winter sea storm season.  The Pachena beach campground has been recently opened for the public and there is amply space for RVs and mini-vans to park. The campground also includes running water, bathrooms, and shaded picnic tents. 

Sandcut Beach

 The Sandcut beach on the southern end of Vancouver Island in the Jordan River Regional Park is famous for its stunning views of the Olympic Peninsula.  There is a  waterfall at the southern end of the beach and it can be seen in its full glory. spring, and late autumn. The 10-15ft waterfall directly spills into the pebble beach. Getting to the beach requires a short and easy hike through the rainforest and almost a little over two hours drive from Victoria. 

Long Beach

If you want to visit the most popular beach in British Columbia then you should take a trip to Long Beach. It is the longest and coldest beach on Vancouver Island. This frigid yet beautiful beach is located along the west coast and it’s in between the Tofino and Ucluelet regions. It is extremely famous among tourists because it provides adventurous water sports that include surfing, surfing, skimboarding, kayaking, swimming, playing, strolling. But swimming on the beach is restricted during times of high waves as it could be extremely dangerous. So, if you are looking for a serene beach with tons of water activities opportunities then Long Beach should be on your list.

Author’s Bio:

Noor-e-Fatima Asif is a software engineering student with an immense love for traveling and writing. On days when you won’t find her writing, you will see her reading a lot. Although she enjoys being in the nature; she love the city nightlife a little more.

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