Cowichan Valley - Cherry Point Beach

We hadn't consulted Theo Dombrowski's excellent Secret Beaches series for a few months and I knew that we were "missing" a few beaches south of Crofton. This day (2017-06-04), his advice took us to Cherry Point Beach. I suspect that this awesome sandy beach is anything but secret; at least to the locals. We were surprised by how sandy vast stretches of the beach were. Closer to the little creek that flows out at the one end of Cherry Point Beach, the beach was a bit pebbly.

Sandy stretches at Cherry Point Beach...

Mill Bay - Beach at the Nature Park

It had been quite some time since I'd consulted Theo Dombrowski's excellent Secret Beaches series. I knew there were beaches south of Duncan that were yet to be explored. So, on this weekend, Hanne, Lilo, and I decided to check out the beach at the Nature Park in Mill Bay. As Dombrowski rightly points out, this is not a "lay down a towel, sun yourself, and go for a swim"-type beach. This beach is all about pebbles, rocks, boulders, and seashells. That shouldn't dissuade anyone from visiting the park; the trail through shady forest is well worth a stroll.

Mill Bay Nature Park (2017-06-11)

Ladysmith - Elliot Beach

We don't visit Elliot Beach very often. When we do, I always wonder, why not. It's not too far from home, so perhaps it's because the turnoff from the highway is not one our usual routes. Anyway, we ought to come more often and, more to the point, we ought to launch our kayaks here.

Elliot Beach (2017-06-13)

Tofino - At Incinerator Rock

After eight years, Sabrina was back for a visit. Since Hanne and I hadn't been back to Pacific Rim National Park in over a year, this visit seemed like a good time to reacquaint ourselves with the Long Beach area. Our last stop in the area, before heading home, was the beach at Incinerator Rock. Here we reminisced about Marco's "brief" swim in the Pacific.

Incinerator Rock (2017-06-28)

Nanaimo - Beach at Piper's Lagoon Park

Sabrina was visiting, and we were blessed with gorgeous weather. To be honest, weather typical of a July on the east coast of Vancouver Island. As we were intent on showing off our local region, we visited a number of beaches. The beach at Piper's Lagoon Park was one.

I often say that this may be the most underappreciated beach in Nanaimo, because there's almost always plenty of room. Closer to the large parking lot, the beach is composed of small, rounded pebbles. Approaching the point further away from the lot, visitors can put the beach blanket down on pleasant sand.

Beach at Piper's Lagoon (2009-07-24)

Sointula - Log-strewn Bere Point Beach

After logging plenty of steps on Sointula docks in the morning and running into an exceedingly high tide during our attempt to visit Malcolm Island's lighthouse, our afternoon took us to Bere Point. Here the high tide prevented us from getting a good look at much of the beach, but thousands of logs gave Hanne lots of crannies and nooks to poke about in.

Beach at Bere Point 2016-02-09

Ucluelet - Wickaninnish Beach

It must be said, tourist businesses in the Tofino-Ucluelet-Long Beach area work hard to attract visitors when the weather is inclement. Their "Storm Watching" campaign seems very successful and, indeed, storm watching is fun and the accommodation inexpensive. Take note, however, packing weather-,  specifically rain-resistant gear is highly recommended. Having warned the reader of possible wet and windy days in the winter, this postcard finds us at Wickaninnish Beach in brilliant sunshine! Nary a drop of rain and only the slightest of breezes.

• Location: 49.016, -125.674 
• Date: 2015-02-17

Ucluelet - Wickaninnish Beach

Tofino - Incinerator Beach (Long Beach)

When is a good time to visit the Tofino-Ucluelet/Long Beach area? As far as we're concerned, ANYTIME! This postcard was taken on one of our "storm watching" visits. Specifically, Valentine's Day.

The thing about visits to Long Beach is, you can't let the weather deter you. Prepare for all sorts of weather, especially rain, and you'll be fine.

Incinerator Beach (Long Beach), south of Tofino 2014-1-02-14

Gabriola Island: Sandstone at Drumbeg Park

Norbi and I headed out in early June to visit some beaches on Gabriola Island, have a beer at Silva Bay, and generally just tour about the island. The day started off looking cloudy and threatening to rain. Thankfully, in the end, the sun graced us with her presence. Around noonish, just before we'd promised ourselves lunch at the pub in Silva Bay, we explored the sandstone shelves that make up the bulk of the beach at Drumbeg Provincial Park. In Theo Dombrowski's excellent book, "Secret Beaches of the Salish Sea: The Northern Gulf Islands", this is Secret Beach number 19 (page 67).

 Sandstone at Drumbeg Park on
Gabriola Island (2013-06-01)

Nanaimo: Hidden Sea Star at Neck Point Park

We find that Neck Point Park in Nanaimo is a great place to take visitors, to introduce them to the east coast of Vancouver Island. Exploring the "neck" portion of the park with Marco and Angela, we noticed quite a few partially hidden sea stars at a fairly low tide.

Spot the Sea Star...  (2013-08-17)

Nanaimo: Entwhistle Road Secret Beach

When an August day brings us clouds, wind, and the threat of rain, then that's a good day to work our way through Theo Dombrowski's "Secret Beaches …"

On this date in 2011 we decided to have a look at the Secret Beach at the foot of Entwhistle Road. What a great decision. The wind that was keeping us from kayaking was now kicking up whitecaps that made for postcard scenes. 

A windy day at Entwhistle Road 
Secret Beach (2011-08-06) 

Parksville: Rathtrevor in January

Late January is not everyone's idea of a good time to go to the beach. However, if the beach in question is Rathtrevor Beach (near Parksville), then any time is a good time. Winter grey with just a touch of reddish orange makes for a postcard scene. 

A blustery January at 
Rathtrevor Beach (2012-01-28) 

Texada Island: Beach by Vananda

While spending a few August days on Texada Island, I took the opportunity to explore the island's beaches. Perhaps the most obvious beach, but overlooked by visitors, is the one just on the edges of Vananda. A beach primarily of gravel and larger rocks, augmented by the quintessential drift logs, this shore looks out over Malaspina Strait, towards Powell River.

Looking out over Malaspina Strait
towards Powell River

Texada Island: Quintessentially Summer at Shelter Point

A child's flip-flop, abandoned on a beach log at Shelter Point Regional Park, says summer about as well as anything. Purely postcard material!

 Summer at Texada Island's 
Shelter Point (2012-08-27)

Nanaimo: Mom and Toddler on a Secret Beach

A mom and her toddler define summer at one of Nanaimo's Secret Beaches (Blueback Road).

Secret Beach at 
Blueback Road (2012-08-14)

Sidney Spit: Historical Pilings

For years I've been promising myself s trip for Sidney Island. This past June I finally made it. Clearly, there are postcard shots to be had here. Unfortunately, Barb and I had chosen a rainy day that cut our visit short. Obviously an excuse to return at a later date.

Sidney Spit historical pilings (2013-06-23)

Nanaimo: Beach Estates Park to Departure Bay

There are at least two ways to visit Departure Bay beach. The most obvious is by car via Departure Bay Road. Less obvious and less known is via a short - 20 minutes - hike through Beach Estates Park. This path opens out to the beach at what was, historically, a coal loading wharf. The finger of rocks, visible at low tide, is just a little of what remains as evidence of these times. 

Beach Estates Park to 
Departure Bay (2013-03-25)

China Beach: Creative Beach Structure

On this day in May, we had to get Barb to Victoria. The usual route over the Malahat was getting old. We decided to take an alternate - albeit longer - route via Lake Cowichan, Port Renfrew, and Sooke. The idea was to visit Botanical Beach enroute. After exploring Botanical Beach, our journey to Victoria took us past China Beach. The fifteen minute walk down the trail from parking lot to beach was worth it for the postcard views. 

China Beach Structure (2013-05-16)

Tofino: Incinerator Beach

One of the best ways to see Incinerator Beach (the northern section of Long Beach, near Tofino) is by climbing up the hill located near the parking lot. In the distance, in the water, Lovekin Rock. 

Incinerator Beach (2013-07-12)