Beach Bound

Seeing as Vancouver Island is surrounded by water, you are virtually guaranteed a beach not matter where you are.

From the softest of sands to barnacle-covered rocks, Vancouver Island has beaches for swimming, suntanning, castle-building, and tidal-pool exploration.

Some of the more popular beaches include:

SOUTH ISLAND

Willows Beach - This sandy ocean beach in Oak Bay, north of Victoria, is popular with both residents and tourists.

Elk Lake/Beaver Lake - On the Saanich Peninsula, this family-oriented freshwater beach offers great swimming.

Prior Lake - If you're not shy about shedding your clothes, check out this nude beach in Thetis Lake Provincial Park north of Victoria.

Sidney Spit - A tiny island off Sidney, this sandy spit has warm water, great snorkeling and opportunities to explore the tidal flats.

Shawnigan Lake - A big favorite with locals, Shawnigan Lake, south of Duncan, offers everything for water-sport enthusiasts.

Lake Cowichan - Warm water, sandy beaches against a backdrop of forest.

Transfer Beach - This Ladysmith playground offers warm water swimming, tidal pools, sand and rock beaches.

Newcastle Island - Off the Nanaimo harbor, this island's sand and rock beaches offer swimming, tidal pools, diving and kayaking.

Parksville - Probably Vancouver Island's most popular family-oriented family beach. There's hundreds of meters of sand, perfect for suntanning, swimming, castle building and beachcombing.

Qualicum - Another stretch of incredible sandy beach for the whole family to enjoy.

NORTH ISLAND

Tribune Bay - On Hornby Island, just off Courtenay, Tribune Bay offers beautiful sandy beaches.

Miracle Beach - Halfway between Courtenay and Campbell River, Miracle Beach is great for a family outing. The beach offers sand, tidal pools and swimming against a backdrop of forested campsites.

San Josef Bay - In Cape Scott Provincial Park, San Josef Bay is the park's most accessible beach. At low tide you can access sea stacks and sea caves.

WEST ISLAND

East Sooke Park - Here you'll find both sand and rock beaches. The beach is great for exploring tidal-pool life.

Botanical Beach - A pebble beach, you can explore the sandstone shelf exposed during low tide. Botanical Beach is also a great place for tidal-pool exploration. Among other things, look for purple and orange starfish, mussels, octopus, crabs and aquatic vegetation.

Long Beach - An 11-kilometer stretch of sand, this beach between Ucluelet and Tofino is famous around the world. Watch the huge Pacific rollers that have created this incredible beach.

Note: Many beaches are protected areas. Please do not harm or remove any plant and animal species.