When you think of sun, sea and sand the first country to spring to mind may not be Canada. But with the world’s longest coastline, Canada offers thousands of coves, bays and beautiful sandy stretches.
And you don’t have to travel the whole country to find them! The province of British Columbia boasts a stunning array of ocean beaches as well as a wealth of freshwater lakes.
In this post, I will share 32+ of the best beaches in BC, Canada. Some are off-the-beaten-track gems, while others are some of the most popular in the province.
JR and I have visited hundreds of BC beaches since moving here in 2011. This was a hard list to narrow down!
Here’s what to expect:
- Top 20 best beaches in BC (my top picks!)
- Kye Bay / Air Force Beach
- Goose Spit, Comox
- Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Park (Sandy Island)
- Tribune Bay, Hornby Island
- Rathtrevor Beach, Parksville
- Sombrio Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
- Botanical Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
- Cox Bay, Tofino
- Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park
- Pachena Bay, Bamfield
- Carmanah Beach, Pacific Rim National Park
- Saratoga Beach, Oyster River
- Nels Bight, Cape Scott Provincial Park
- Davis Bay Beach, Sunshine Coast
- Jericho Beach, Vancouver
- Gyro Beach, Osoyoos
- Skaha Lake Park
- Sun-Oka Provincial Park, Summerland
- Kal Beach, Vernon
- Sandspit Beach, Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, Nelson
- More BC beaches to visit
- Best Beaches in BC: before you go
Published 2023.
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The Best Beaches in BC
The first section of this post shares my favourite BC beaches. I have personally visited each one; most of them multiple times.
I have explained why these beaches are so special and an overview of what to expect.
I’ve concentrated on sharing coastal beaches for the most part, along with some freshwater (lake) beaches to round things out.
The below map features all the featured beaches.
These BC beaches are located on the traditional territories of many different First Nations. I’d recommend using the Native Land website to find out more.
But wait, my favourite beach in BC isn’t on this list?!
While we’ve visited a lot of beaches across British Columbia over the last decade, it would be impossible to say that we’ve visited all that exist!
That is particularly true regarding the Cariboo and Chilcotin areas as well as North BC and Haida Gwaii. Full disclosure – we haven’t visited these regions much yet (if at all, in the case of Haida Gwaii).
This list is also completely subjective. These are my favourite BC beaches (so far). Your top picks may be different and that’s OK!
The second section of this post features even more amazing beaches in BC, some of which didn’t make my shortlist and others I have not visited yet.
Kye Bay / Air Force Beach, Comox
Vanouver Island’s Comox Valley area is host to many incredible beaches. I managed to narrow it down to two, or rather, three.
Kye Bay is situated behind the airport in Comox, with the beach looking out towards Powell River and the snow-capped coastal mountains.
This beach is the best at low tide when the sand stretches as far as the eye can see. At high tide, the remaining mix is a mix of pebbles, sand and driftwood.
Air Force Beach is a private beach administered by CFB, the local military base (daily parking fees required). It’s located just around the corner from Kye Bay and features soft, golden sand with the same amazing Salis Sea views.
Other beautiful beaches in the Comox Valley area include Kin Beach, Goose Spit (see below), Point Holmes and Singing Sands.
Goose Spit, Comox
A favourite with Comox locals, the sandy Goose Spit stretches a little over two kilometres long into Comox Bay.
The views are incredible, with panoramas across the Salish Sea to the Coastal Mountains and also back towards Vancouver Island. It’s a popular place for birds too, with bald eagles, loons and gulls often resident.
There are several firepits on Goose Spit beach and fires are allowed from the start of May to September, offering the opportunity for perhaps the most scenic campfire you’ve ever had.
Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Park (Sandy Island)
Perched on the end of Denman Island near Vancouver Island, Sandy Island (also known as Tree Island) is only accessible by foot at low tide or by boat. We usually paddle over in our canoe or kayaks.
This little golden oasis offers sandy beaches as far as the eye can see and a whole lot of solitude, impressive for being so close to a populated area of Vancouver Island.
Please note that no fires are allowed on Sandy Island due to the delicate environment. Leave No Trace!
Tribune Bay, Hornby Island
Fine white sand, warm aquamarine waters…is this really British Columbia? Tribune Bay’s 1km long beach rolls out to meet shallow water and provides some of the warmest saltwater swimming in Canada.
A five-minute walk from the beach leads to the Ringside Market, an eclectic mix of cafes and shops selling islander and artisan-made goods.
Two short ferries are necessary to get to Hornby Island. I would say it’s definitely worth it, however!
Rathtrevor Beach, Parksville
Featuring an expansive protected shoreline, tidal pools and a lush forest backdrop, Rathtrevor Beach is a must-visit when on Vancouver Island. The golden sand and pebble beach is almost 2km long.
When the tide is out, it feels like you can walk for miles. The views stretch endlessly too, towards offshore islands and distant mountain ranges.
Rathtrevor isn’t the only gorgeous beach in the Parksville area but it is very accessible from the highway and has a huge amount of parking.
There’s a huge provincial park campground behind Rathtrevor Beach – be sure to reserve as early as possible. There’s some nearby accommodation too. We stayed at Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort and loved walking the beach at sunset
Sombrio Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
Sombrio Beach is the longest beach along the Juan de Fuca stretch of Vancouver Island’s coastline. It’s particularly loved by surfers. The beach mostly consists of pebbles, ranging in colour from dark gray to light purple.
A must-see at Sombrio Beach is the Hidden Waterfall. Situated in a mossy canyon at the far eastern side of the beach, I don’t know any other beach in BC that has a waterfall quite like this one!
Other gorgeous beaches in this area include Mystic Beach and Sandcut Beach, both of which have waterfalls that cascade right onto the shore.
With so much to see around Sombrio Beach, I’d recommend staying in the Port Renfrew area for at least a few days. Wild Renfrew is an unforgettable place to stay, featuring private waterfront cottages, some with hot tubs
Botanical Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
Part of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, Botanical Beach is a place for geological and wildlife discovery rather than sunbathing.
Black basalt rocks and tide pools replace sand here, providing an insight into intertidal life at the edge of the Pacific.
Visit at low tide to see the shoreline and tide pool wildlife at their best while high tide offers a chance to experience the true power of the ocean (though be sure to keep back from the surf!).
Orcas and Grey whales migrate often travel past these shores so keep an eye out while exploring the beach.
Botanical Beach is located at the very start (or end) of the 47km long Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.
Cox Bay, Tofino
Cox Bay is a sandy, crescent-shaped beach near Tofino on Vancouver Island. The Pacific Ocean laps (and sometimes roars!) onto the beach, with tide pools appearing at both north and south ends at low tide.
There is a rugged but rewarding lookout hike starting from the south side of the beach. Panoramic views of Clayoquot Sound, the Pacific Ocean and dozens of Vancouver Island peaks await at the top.
Cox Bay is an ideal place to watch Tofino’s winter storms roll in. The beach can be hit by 12 metre high waves during storm season. As you can imagine, surfers love it!
Of course, Cox Bay isn’t the only impressive beach in the Tofino area. Mackenzie Beach is also fabulous as is Tonquin Beach and Long Beach (below).
Visiting in storm season? I’d recommend staying at one of the hotels along the beach so you can watch all the action in complete safety! The beach houses at Pacific Sands Beach Resort are incredible, with 12 foot high ceilings
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park
I couldn’t possibly make a list of beaches without mentioning Vancouver Island’s probably most visited. Long Beach is aptly named being 16km in length and is part of the Pacific Rim National Park
That does mean that there is a fee to visit, but be assured that is well worth every cent.
Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and temperate rainforest, Long Beach has that unique ‘end of the world’ feeling. The sand is pristine, the views remarkable and the surf consistently good.
It is important to note that Long Beach technically includes several other named beaches, including Schooner Cove, Wickaninnish Beach and Combers Beach.
Pachena Bay, Bamfield
Located at the northern end of West Coast Trail near Bamfield, Pachena Bay is a welcome sight after finishing this epic coastal backpacking route.
This stunning pristine white sand beach looks almost too good to be real. The only catch is that it’s not really a swimming beach as the Pacific Ocean is very cold.
It is not necessary to hike the WCT to visit Pachena Bay, since there is (unpaved) road access. The 83km journey usually takes around two hours but is worth every second. There is a campground behind the beach.
Carmanah Beach, Pacific Rim National Park
The 75km long West Coast Trail features many spectacular beach sections, with my top pick being Carmanah Beach.
This 2km+ long stretch of windswept sandy beach is the definition of remote, only being accessible by foot or boat. There is a rustic campground, but most WCT hikers do not stop here (we did and loved it!)
The beach walking experience is atmospheric with the Pacific Ocean crashing right onto the shore and mist swirling around the bordering temperate rainforest. The sandy beach disappears far into the distance.
Other beaches on the West Coast Trail include Walbran, Dare, Clo-ose Bay, Tsusiat, Klanawa and Tsocowis.
Saratoga Beach, Oyster River
Saratoga Beach is a gorgeous stretch of white sand beach located halfway between Courtenay and Campbell River. There are several public access points from Clarkson Avenue.
It’s definitely my favourite in the area – the sand is so fine and soft. There are panoramic views across the Salish Sea to the snow-capped coastal mountains.
Just to the south is Miracle Beach, which is protected by a provincial park of the same name.
Unlike Saratoga, it has no houses backing onto the beach so it does feel a little more wild. The park has some short forest trails, washrooms and picnic facilities.
Nels Bight, Cape Scott Provincial Park
The whole northwestern Vancouver Island area offers fantastic windswept and wild sandy beaches on the edge of the Pacific.
Nels Bight is, in my opinion, one of the best as it is more than 2km long! It is only reachable by boat or a 30km return hike on the Cape Scott Trail.
A stunning sight and relief for hikers with sore (and most probably, wet) feet, Nels Bight makes for an excellent base camp location for exploring the Cape Scott Lighthouse and other surrounding beaches.
Not up for a multi-day hike? No problem. Beautiful San Josef Bay is only a 45 minute walk from the same trailhead (and is home to the flower pot rocks!) Raft Cove is another nearby option, though the hike-in is much more rugged.
Davis Bay Beach, Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is host to many smaller beaches, with one of my favourites being Davis Bay near Sechelt.
While the pebble beach itself is quite small during most of the day, it becomes far more expansive and sandy at low tide.
A paved promenade borders the beach, which makes Davis Bay the perfect place for a scenic stroll. Sunset is the best time since the beach faces west and has uninterrupted views of the horizon.
There is a small wooden pier on the northern side of the beach. This is a very popular place to go crabbing and fishing.
The only downside to this beach is that it is right on the highway and can be a bit noisy.
Jericho Beach, Vancouver
Vancouver is home to a somewhat surprising amount of amazing beaches for such a large city so it was hard to choose just one.
Jericho Beach has the benefit of mountain, ocean AND city views plus a bunch of great take-out places and grocery stores in nearby Kitsilano to pick up a beach picnic or barbeque supplies from.
Long, wide and with plenty of driftwood to sit and rest on, there is space on Jericho Beach for everyone to watch the sunset or just hang out.
Of course, nearby Kits Beach is a worthwhile addition to this list as well.
Gyro Beach, Osoyoos
As Canada’s warmest freshwater lake, Osoyoos Lake is THE place the swim in BC’s interior! The actual temperature varies but it averages 24°C in summer. I do find that it feels cooler though since the air temperature is often so hot (32°C+!)
Gyro Beach is the biggest in town and is also only a few minutes walk from downtown Osoyoos.
The beach is lined by grass and shady trees with a large lawn area located at the northern end as well. Gyro is usually very busy in July and August but I find it still has such a chill vibe. There’s a smaller, and typically quieter, beach at nearby Lions Park.
Free music is performed in Gyro Park on Friday evenings during the summer months. It’s also a great spot to watch the country’s second-largest fireworks display on Canada Day!
Skaha Lake Park, Penticton
Penticton’s Skaha Beach is sometimes called one of the best beaches in all of Canada! This sweeping 500m long stretch of golden sand is situated at the southern end of the city, offering spectacular views straight down Skaha Lake.
The most special aspect of Skaha Beach is that it is backed by 21 acres of parkland.
This not only provides great separation from the surrounding urban area but also means beach visitors have access to plenty of amenities including several playgrounds, a splash park, tennis courts, volleyball courts, walking paths, a baseball diamond, fire pits and more.
Neighbouring Sudbury Beach is another amazing BC beach that deserves a place on this list. Other Penticton beaches we love include Marina Way Beach (it’s just a few blocks from our house!) and Okanagan Beach.
Sun-Oka Beach Provincial Park, Summerland
135km long Okanagan Lake is lined by many sandy and rocky beaches. Sun-Oka gets my vote as one of the best beaches on Okanagan Lake as it set into a ‘natural’ location i.e. not within an urban area.
At Sun-Oka, you can fully enjoy the beauty of Okanagan Lake and truly get away from it all!
The main beach features soft golden sand is 600m long. Facing south, it receives a lot of sun all day. Sun-Oka is very popular with families and especially dog owners as there is a separate dog friendly area east of the main beach.
For a similar ‘natural’ beach feel elsewhere on Okanagan Lake, I’d recommend heading to Ellison Provincial Park in Vernon.
Kal Beach, Vernon
The city of Vernon is surrounded by three lakes – Okanagan, Kalamalka and Swan Lake. Residents therefore have easy access to many different beaches.
The most popular, however, is Kal Beach on Kalamalka Lake. Situated just a 10 minute drive from Vernon’s downtown area, Kal Beach’s main attraction is a long strip of soft golden sand. Scattered trees provide plenty of shade.
Kal Beach’s amenities are ideal for families, with restrooms, snack bars, SUP rentals, beach volleyball courts and even a wooden pier.
If Kal Beach sounds a little busy for your taste, head to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.
A short hiking trail from the Yellow Gate parking lot leads to Juniper and Jade beaches. These pretty twin bays are blessed with warm, crystal clear water (shining with Kal Lake’s famous green-blue hues!)
Sandspit Beach, Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, Nelson
This beach is one of my new favourites, with our first visit being in August 2023. Sandspit Beach is located on Kootenay Lake, almost half way between Nelson and the Balfour ferry.
The pebble/sand beach is huge (1km+) with plenty of space for tourists and residents alike on a sunny day. The lake is surprisingly warm and perfect for swimming.
The beach is backed by two vehicle accessible campgrounds, though there is good separation with forest and grass. There are coin operated day use showers, watersports rentals, picnic tables and a designated dog beach.
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park has another beach, Redfish Beach, situated on the other side of the park. I’e been told about many other amazing beaches along this stretch of shoreline, some accessible through private land only.
More BC beaches to visit
The following are great examples of beautiful BC lake beaches. They just didn’t quite make my shortlist!
Boyce-Gyro Beach Park, Kelowna
Located a little further south than the downtown waterfront area, Boyce-Gyro Beach Park is one of the most popular beaches in Kelowna. But for good reason!
This gorgeous stretch of golden sand has plenty of shady areas, perfect for the Okanagan heat. It has a large playground as well as an inflatable waterpark, plus volleyball courts and watersport rentals.
If you get hungry, there is an on-site concession. A number of restaurants (and a brewery) are situated within easy walking distance.
This BC beach is completely free to visit but expect to pay for parking.
Canoe Beach, Salmon Arm
Shuswap Lake features more than 1,430km of shoreline. Exploring it is a much easier prospect if you have a boat. If you don’t, beach options in this area are a little more limited.
One of the most easily accessible public beaches is Canoe Beach near Salmon Arm. This spacious sandy beach has beautiful views of forested mountains.
The water can be a little muddy but the convenience and amenities (playground, grass areas, volleyball, concession) more than make up for it.
Herald Provincial Park is also great for swimming but is a longer drive from the highway. Sicamous Beach Park is another worthwhile destination while in the area.
Christina Lake Public Beach
Despite being relatively narrow and surrounded by mountains, Christina Lake is BC’s warmest tree lined lake. The water temperature averages around 22°C on summer days.
The main public beach in Christina Lake Provincial Park is very well organised, with 350m of sand along the shoreline, a good amount of shady trees and a large parking lot.
There are some pocket beaches in Gladstone Provincial Park, accessible via the campground. The park is also host to a number of expansive boat-only beaches further up the lake.
Our favourite of these is Axel Johnson Marine Campsite. We once camped overnight ($13 per party or vessel).
Kinsmen Beach, Invermere
A beach with views of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains? Yes, please! Kinsmen Beach features a good stretch of pebble/sand on beautiful Lake Windermere.
The beach is bordered by grassy lawn, with plenty of picnic tables and shade. Families are well catered for with a playground, roped swimming area, swimming platform and slide.
The water was pretty shallow (hip deep) for a far distance when we last visited in August 2023.
Parking can be issue here. If the main lot is full, there is an overflow parking area three minutes drive away (Rotary Ball Park and Tennis Courts).
Other amazing beaches in BC
There are so many more beaches I could name on this BC beaches list.
The following beaches are either ones that didn’t make my final shortlist or I haven’t visited yet but have been told that they are spectacular!
- South Beach, Savary Island
- Whalebone Beach, Gabriola Island
- Beddis Beach, Salt Spring Island
- Medicine Beach Sanctuary, Pender Island
- First Beach, Nootka Island
- Calvin Falls Beach, Nootka Island
- Qualicum Beach
- Sunset Beach near Nanaimo
- Kanaka Bay, Nanaimo
- Florencia Bay near Tofino
- Chesterman Beach, Tofino
- First Beach, Flores Island
- Mystic Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
- Willows Beach, Victoria
- Taylor Beach near Victoria
- Crescent Beach, White Rock
- Ambleside Beach, West Vancouver
- Rainbow Park Beach, Whistler (temporarily closed)
- Overlanders Park Beach, Kamloops
- Mara Provincial Park near Sicamous
- Nakusp Municipal Beach, Nakusp
- Rotary Lakeside Park, Nelson
- Waldo Cove Regional Park on Lake Koocanusa
- North Beach, Haida Gwaii
- Agate Beach, Haida Gwaii
Best Beaches in BC: visiting tips
Please keep the following in mind when visiting any of these incredible beaches in British Columbia:
- The vast majority of BC beaches do not have lifeguard stations. This means you need to be responsible for your safety
- Always pack out what you bring to the beach. Not only does this keep the beach beautiful for other visitors, but it helps the environment and animals too
- Some of these beaches are located in areas without phone signal. Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to come back
- Don’t pick up anything on the beach. Living creatures do not like to be touched. Driftwood and shells are wildlife habitats and moving them can disturb the animals that live in them
- Dog owners should follow leashing and closure rules. Many BC beaches do not allow dogs. On some beaches, dogs are restricted during the summer months to avoid disturbance to migrating seabirds
Related posts you may find helpful
19+ of the Best Beaches in PEI, Canada
27+ of the Best Beaches in Nova Scotia, Canada
Where to Find Golden Larches in British Columbia
Where to See the Salmon Run in British Columbia
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One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Tracy
Saturday 27th of May 2023
No way. I"ve swum at Tribune Bay multiple times and it was never even close to being as warm as the beaches on PEI in the summer.
Gemma
Wednesday 7th of June 2023
My swimming experiences at Tribune Bay have always been pretty warm! PEI is a great spot too though.
Sue
Wednesday 29th of June 2016
Having been to only a couple of beaches you have mentioned, I have realised that I must try harder! Thanks for the list and your enthusiastic comments.