Mother Nature’s been teasing us with sunshine for a while now here on the Coast – but warmer months are finally upon us. This calls for maximizing time spent chilling at the beach…and BC indeed has a bounty of beautiful beaches. Check out our Notable picks for beach-worthy escapes, then check yourself out of town…
Tofino/Long Beach
Though this might be a stretch for a quick weekend trip by car, it is doable and so worthwhile. One of the most well-known and lengthiest stretches of pristine beach, Long Beach is has fairly earned its reputation as a must-see summer destination. If you’re feeling tight for time, consider booking your getaway with Tofino or Orca Airways and be beach bound in less than an hour!
Sombrio Beach
From Vancouver, take the ferry to Victoria and drive about two hours northwest along Highway 14 toward this windswept surfing gem. Located on Southern Vancouver Island, this beach is both wild and beautiful – and a hot-spot for wave-riders.
Boundary Bay
About an hour south of Vancouver, don’t miss this laidback, sun-soaked neighbourhood (and long-time vacation spot for city dwellers). Offering an expanse of soft, sandy beachfront, picnic spots, and the perfect opportunity to get lost in a stack of magazines, Boundary Bay equals beach and boating bliss.
Qualicum Beach/Parksville
A quick ferry ride to Nanaimo and a mere 20-minute drive north along the coastal highway lands you at some of the most spectacular sandy beaches on Vancouver Island. With plenty of accommodation offerings and expansive coastal mountain vistas to take in, this aptly named “Oceanside” area boasts the mildest climate in the country with over 2000 hours of sunshine annually.
Image courtesy stock.xchng.