10 Best Beaches in British Columbia

Long Beach is in the Pacific Rim National Park in a UNESCO biosphere reserve and it’s the longest beach on Vancouver Island, stretching over 16 km. It’s a popular surf spot with big winter swells, though the treacherous currents make it unsafe for swimming. There is still plenty to do and see, including tidepools teeming with marine life you can explore at low tide.

The hiking and biking trails in the surrounding nature reserve are mostly easy-to-moderate scale paths winding through ancient, temperate rainforest. Long Beach is in the Tofino area of Vancouver Island where the original stewards, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations and residents ardently protect the environment. They urge visitors to tread lightly and leave no trace. 

Sombrio Beach is in the popular Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, with its 47-km wilderness trail along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. It’s also a 10-minute walk through lush rainforest from the Sombrio Beach Trailhead, where you can park.  

It’s a popular spot for camping and birdwatching, with easy hikes and a lot to explore. But it’s best known for a particular feature: a hidden waterfall in a narrow moss-strewn canyon, with waters cascading down a shallow stream you can walk along. This hidden gem is hard to see from the beach and fun to look for. It’s safest to search at low tide as rocky sections of the beach can be hazardous at high tide. 

Tribune Bay is a tranquil, crescent-shaped, sandy beach on Hornby Island with a calm blue sea. Low tide exposes a long stretch with shallow waters that reach over 20°C in the summer. A natural promontory at the south end of the beach called Spray Point has remarkable formations of smooth boulders that are easy and fun to climb. South of Spray Point is Little Tribune Beach, where clothing is optional. 

Tribune Bay is a popular family spot for kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as fishing, picnicking and hiking. The campsite there is open during the summer season, but it’s popular so book ahead, or you can rent accommodation in the area.  

Named after a local Indian Chief, Kalamalka Lake is a glacial lake with several beaches and waterfront park areas. It’s a marl lake, meaning in summer the limestone left behind by ancient glaciers forms crystals that reflect sunlight and give it its distinctive, deep aqua-blue colour.  

It might be glacial but in summer the average water temperature is a pleasant 22°C to 27°C, though signs warn that parasites that cause swimmer’s itch can be present. Kalamalka Lake has 14 km of hiking trails meandering through its 2 provincial parks, which house an abundance of wildlife including rare and endangered species such as white-tailed deer, mink and several species of snakes. It’s also a popular birdwatching spot, so bring your binoculars.  

Pachena Bay is at the trailhead of the famous West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island near the historic fishing village of Bamfield. If you want to relax and escape to a virgin wilderness with an untouched coastline surrounded by old-growth forest, this is the perfect spot. Maybe you could take in some paddleboarding or kayaking in this soul-nurturing setting.   

Pachena Bay is remote, which makes for excellent stargazing. You can see the Milky Way and gazillions of stars in the clear night sky. The popular campsite is run by the Huu-Ay-Aht First Nations community. Bamfield is the nearest town with shops, restaurants and cafes, but it has limited supermarket options. 

Chesterman Beach is part of the 35 km of pristine sandy beaches in the Tofino area of Vancouver Island, known for protecting its natural environment. A sprawling 2.7 km long, this beach is wonderful to walk along and gaze at the jaw-dropping surroundings, where it feels like you’re at the world’s edge. 

Chesterman Beach is the most popular beach with Tofino locals for surfing and paddle boarding. At low tide, you can explore the tidepools teeming with sea stars and anemones at the north end. At the south end at low tide, the sandspit to Frank Island is exposed and you can walk onto it for sweeping views of the ‘W’-shaped beach and its scenic mountain backdrop.   

Spanish Banks is in the Point Grey neighbourhood of the city of Vancouver. It’s a long sandy beach with fabulous views of the city and the snow-capped mountains beyond. The water is cold, even throughout the hot summer.  

But it’s a family-friendly destination and a great place for kids to play, especially when the tide goes out (which it seems to do for miles), leaving behind a playground of shallow, sun-warmed pools to explore. Other highlights include the popular beach volleyball courts and the level walking and cycling trail connecting Spanish Banks with Locarno Beach and Jericho Beach further along the coast.  

Skaha Lake, Penticton, is a long, sandy beach with scenic views of the surrounding hills in an area famed for its numerous award-winning wineries. The beach at Skaha Lake is popular for its 8.5-hectare lakefront park with playgrounds, ballgame courts, splash pads and picnic tables under pine trees. It’s one of Penticton’s main draws for family-friendly activities.

The water in the lake is clear and warm in summer and a popular swimming spot. On windy days, Skaha Lake draws windsurfer and parasailers. Visit on the second weekend in September and you can see the annual Dragon Boat Festival.

Rathtrevor Beach is a 2-km sandy beach on Vancouver Island that backs onto majestic old-growth woodland. It’s a popular beach with families where the tide recedes almost a kilometre, exposing tidepools busy with marine life. The warm sand then heats the water as the tide rolls back in.   

The surrounding Rathtrevor Provincial Park is full of campsites with easy access to the beach and hiking trails that wind through towering Douglas firs. Visit in July or August and you might spot the mesmerising natural phenomenon of bioluminescence in the water caused by light-emitting plankton. Come at least 2 hours after sunset to maximise your chances of seeing it. 

Wreck Beach in Vancouver is a beautiful 7.8 km long sandy beach near the University of British Columbia on the city’s Pacific Spirit Park. It has a relaxed vibe and is best known for being the largest clothing-optional beach in North America. Nudity is not obligatory, but many visitors opt to be at one with nature.   

Wreck Beach is just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver but beware of the steep flight of almost 500 stairs to get there. The water is chilly, with the average summer temperature around 17° C. However, this doesn’t deter the liberated crowd of beachgoers and families, both clothed and unclothed. It’s the busiest beach in Canada with thousands of visitors daily in the summer.