Beaches in British Columbia The Ultimate Guide
British Columbia is the most Western part of Canada and home to many diverse landscapes. Even though Canada is not known as a tropical destination, the beaches in British Columbia are stunning!!
British Columbia borders the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast, the Rocky Mountains and Alberta on the East, Alaska and the Yukon to the North, and Washington and Idaho to the South. The province is home to a variety of coastlines, sandy beaches, thousands of lakes, many forests including ancient old growth trees, inland deserts and grassy plains. More than 75 % of British Columbia is covered in mountains and there are over 40000 islands in BC!
Because of its variety of coastlines, lakes, and shorelines, there are many beautiful beaches in British Columbia. I have lived in Vancouver for 10 years, and have explored BC from the most Southern to the most Northern borders, and along with some BC experts, want to share the best beaches in BC with you.
Beaches in British Columbia: Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is an enourmous Island on the West Coast of BC. Although the name indicates Vancouver, it is not a part of the city of Vancouver. In fact, this island is bigger than many states, and is about the same size as Taiwan or Belgium. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, there are many incredibly stunning beaches around Vancouver Island.
Pachena Bay Beach
Recommended by Chanelle of Chasing Chanelle
Pachena Bay is a beautiful and remote beach located near the town of Bamfield on Vancouver Island’s west coast.
This sandy bay belongs to the traditional territory of the Huu-Ay-Aht First Nations. Pachena Bay is known for its picturesque setting, white sand, and outdoor activities. Because it is also the northern point of BC’s famous West Coast Trail it is a popular place for hikers to stay before or after they start the trail.
Pachena isn’t the easiest beach on Vancouver Island to get to, but its remoteness is partially what makes it so special. It’s around a 4-hour drive from Victoria, or a 3-hour drive from Nanaimo, largely along a logging road. So, it’s not the most comfortable drive, but, once you get there, it’s definitely worth the effort.
The beach is a peaceful and secluded spot which is ideal for beachcombing, picnicking, spotting marine and wildlife, and swimming. Although, be warned – the water is cold!
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is a great place to learn about the region’s marine life and ecosystems. It offers both educational tours and exhibits.
A highlight of the beach is the adjacent Pachena Bay Campground. There are a mix of beachfront and forest sites for both RVs and tents. There are also all the amenities you would expect for a comfortable front country camping experience.
Staying at the campground is the best way to experience Pachena Beach. You’ll get to immerse yourself in the beauty of the area, see stunning sunsets each evening, and fall asleep to the peaceful sounds of the waves at night.
San Josef Bay, Cape Scott Provincial Park
San Josef Bay is located on the Northern part of Vancouver Island. Although it sounds like it’s close to Vancouver, Vancouver Island is enormous. San Josef Bay has made the list of world’s top beaches in multiple publications and is definitely deserving of a spot on the most beautiful beaches in British Columbia list!
San Josef Beach is within Cape Scott Provincial Park, and is full of white sand beaches, sea stacks, and caves along the shoreline. There are no accommodations within the park, aside from camping. You will find beautiful accommodations in Port Hardy which is about 65 kms drive from the park. A beautiful place to stay is the Indigenous run Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy.
Although this beach is remote, it is well worth a visit. The unspoilt nature of the beach is what many people are most excited about. The beaches are what bring most people to Cape Scott, however there are also many hiking trails ranging from very easy to challenging, and ancient old growth forests. Before you go, know that there is no cell phone service, be sure to have maps and information downloaded ahead of time.
Because of it’s location, and remoteness, there is also wildlife including bears in the area.
Tonquin Beach Tofino
Recommended by Marianne of The Journeying Giordano’s
Although there are many beautiful beaches in Tofino, Tonquin is a local favourite. It is a stunning beach that is easy to reach and a short walk from downtown Tofino. To get there, follow Tonquin Trail, which starts at the end of Tonquin Park Road . Although the parking lot is small, you can also park on the road a short distance from the beach.
This beach has soft sand and gentle waves. Even though Tonquin Beach is smaller than some of the more popular beaches in town, there are still plenty of things to do.
You can take a walk along the beach or explore the Tonquin Trail. The trail offers awesome views of Clayoquot Sound. Swimming is also popular at Tonquin Beach. Just keep in mind, that the water is pretty cold, even in summer (it is the Pacific after all).
If you are looking for a great place to stay near Tonquin Beach, the Tofino Resort & Marina is a perfect option. Located just 5 minutes from Tonquin Beach, it offers comfortable rooms and great amenities. The resort also has a restaurant with a beautiful view of the harbour. Another fun option is Hotel Zed. This West Coast Resort has lots of fun things to do, and is very family friendly, don’t miss the hidden arcade! Highly recommend the family suite at Hotel Zed.
And if you are looking for other things to do in Tofino, you are in luck! There are many hiking trails in Tofino, and places to bike. There are also plenty of great shops in downtown Tofino, surfing lessons and an awesome food scene in town. Tacofino is a local legend and must-try!
Rathtrevor Beach
Tracy Smyth of Travel Bug Tonic
On the east coast of stunning Vancouver Island, 2 hours north of Victoria, lies the ultimate family-friendly beach. Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville is a popular destination for nature lovers – whether you swim in the ocean, hike the trails, or watch the birds.
When the tide is high, the rocky shoreline is perfect for a stroll but the magic happens as the tide goes out revealing almost a kilometre of soft sandy beach. Look for sand dollars and geoducks, build a sandcastle, or soak in the soft sunshine. A favourite activity is timing saltwater fun as the tide changes and begins to roll back in over the sun-warmed sand. The warming water comes in quickly so beware – many shoes and beach bags have been washed away by swimmers who have lost track of the flooding tide.
Enjoy the park’s 5 kilometres of beautiful trails that meander through meadows, marshlands, and forests of Douglas fir, Cedar and Alder. There are picnic tables with stunning views and incredible sunsets looking out over the Straight of Georgia towards Vancouver.
Camp at Rathtrevor year-round or find other accommodation within walking distance of the beach. Try places along Resort Drive including local favourite Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort. Alternatively, stay in Parksville at The Beach Club Resort beside the Community Park with a boardwalk, playground, splash park, and a great space to fly a kite! If you visit from mid-July to mid-August, be inspired by the extraordinary sand sculptures at the annual festival and then head to Rathtrevor Beach (an 8-minute drive) to try your hand at a sand castle masterpiece!
Tribune Bay, Hornby Island
Although Hornby Island is technically not on Vancouver Island, it is a small island just off the coast of Vancouver Island. This little island frozen in time, is home to beautiful beaches with white sand and turquoise clear waters, that look like the Caribbean. Definitely deserving of a place on the list of most beautiful beaches in British Columbia
Hornby Island takes a little planning to get to because there are 2 small ferry rides to get there. The ferries are not bookable and leave from Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island. Schedules are available on BC Ferries.
Hornby Island is a laid back place. It has many delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, trails, and great shops. Accommodations book up here quickly, and are mostly private vacation rentals. Book a cottage or the campground and plan to stay for a while.
Tribune Bay has silky soft white sand, and crystal clear turquoise waters. The tide goes out for a stretch leaving soft sand and fun tide pools to splash in. This beach is favourite with families as the water is warm and shallow. Paddleboarding, kayaking, beach volleyball, are all activities that happen here too! There are bathrooms and the grocery store is in walking distance. There is a network of trails across Hornby Island that connects the entire island including Tribune Bay Provincial Park. If lounging at the beach is not your thing, head out on the trails for a hike or mountain bike. For a small island, there are many many trails, and many beautiful beaches on Hornby Island.
Okanagon Beaches in British Columbia
Skaha Lake, Penticton
Written by Melanie Seneviratne of The World Travel Girl
Many people will not know that Penticton is one of two cities in the world located between two lakes. Okanagan Lake is at the north end and Skaha Lake to the south. Skaha Lake is a beautiful beach that caters to all ages of visitors. Skaha is a public lake, with many activities that you can do in or out of the water.
There are also picnic facilities, washrooms, and playgrounds along the beaches. Although dogs are not allowed on the sandy beach, they can be on the grass area. There is also an off leash dog park at the west end of the beach.
Penticton has many other things to do including visiting wineries in the region, hiking, floating the channel, and exploring Skaha Bluffs.
If you are spending a few days in the area, a popular hotel is the Kettle Valley Beach Resort.
With the sunny weather, sandy beaches and warm water, Skaha Beach is a must visit for anyone wanting to explore interior BC and mix water, sun, sand and mountains.
Beaches in the Kootenays BC
Lockhart Beach & Lockhart Creek Provincial Parks
Lockhart Creek Park and Lockhart Beach Park are located along the shores of Kootenay Lake up to the headwaters of Lockhart Creek. The Lockhart Creek region has no roads and undisturbed old growth forest. You will find trails through Lockhart Creek Park that lead to stunning views of Kootenay Lake and many unique species of plants and animals. There are so many wildflowers and birds to see in this region.
Lockhart Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with incredible mountain views. It runs from the outflow of Lockhart Creek into Kootenay Lake along the water. This area is incredibly diverse. It is a paradise for birdwatchers and plant identification enthusiasts. The creek is home to Rainbow trout, bull trout and kokanee.
This beautiful beach in BC is located in the provincial park 40km north of Creston on Highway 3A or 19km south of Crawford Bay on Highway 3A. There is a provinicial campground in the park and accommodations available in Creston and Crawford Bay BC. A great place to stay in the Bavarian Orchard Inn in Creston, with very clean, comfortable rooms, and beautiful garden patios.
Beaches in British Columbia: Northern BC
Northern British Columbia is home to wild untouched wilderness including many lakes, rivers, and rugged shorelines on the Pacific Ocean. For anyone looking to truly escape the busyness of more populated areas and Southern BC, Northern BC is a must visit region!
Agate Beach Haida Gwaii
Agate Beach is located within Naikoon Park and is a part of Haida Gwai. The park is remote and is off the West Coast of British Columbia. This region is stunning, featuring untouched wilderness, sand dunes, wildlife, and rugged coastlines and beaches. Agate beach is truly on of the most beautiful beaches in British Columbia, and although it is sandy, there are also thousands of colourful rocks, including Agates.
The campground at Agate Beach is open year round, and has picnic tables, fire pits, outhouses, drinking water and covered kitchen shelter. There are plenty of things to do with hiking trails, cultural activities, rainforest walks, and of course star gazing as there is no light pollution here at all!
This park is full of places and items of significant cultural and historical significance. A beautiful place to stay while visiting Haida Gwaii is Haida House at Tllaal and a fun glamping experience is available at Haida Gwaii glamping.
Boya Lake
Boya Lake is located in the far north of British Columbia, bordering with the Yukon. Although this lake is very far north, it is one of few northern lakes warm enough to swim in. Because of it’s remote location, there is no cell phone service or wifi available in the park. The water is turquoise and clear, and this lake is enormous with many coves and inlets, making it perfect for exploring by kayaking or paddling.
Although accommodations are limited to the provincial campground within the park, there are nearby, accomodations in Jade City. Check out Vines and Puppies AirBnB, for a beautiful unique stay in Northern BC! Waterfront glamping, meals included and a heated outdoor lakefront tub to soak in!
Wrapping Up! Best Beaches in British Columbia
Now that you know about the diversity of landscapes and ecosystems across Beautiful British Columbia, you won’t be surprised to find that there are many many beautiful beaches in BC. Hopefully these are a few beautiful places to add to your beaches list!
