Qualicum Beach - miscellaneous beaches to the south...

Some time this June I was perusing Google Maps. I noticed numerous roads that came to an end at the Salish Sea Shore. The following days (2020-06-12) I decided to explore these roads.

Salish Sea Beach near Seacrest Place near Qualicum Beach (2020-06-12)

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...

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)

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

Silva Bay - The Southern Tip of Gaviola Island

On this cloudy late August day, after exploring the bay on Vance Island, our kayak journey took us to the southern tip of Gaviola Island (part of the Flat Top Islands group near Silva Bay) . This tiny beach is a nice mix of sandstone shelf and sand/broken shell pockets. Come here by kayak, and you are most likely to be alone. Although, a little further along the beach, there are a number of private homes.

Kayaking off the southern tip if Gaviola Island  2014-08-30

Tofino: Cox Bay

It really doesn't matter what time of year you visit Long Beach on Vancouver Island's west coast. Our favourite accommodation in Ucluelet (the Cabins at Terrace Beach) had a "Storm Watching" special on and we took advantage, inviting Barb and Sean to join us.

No matter the season, the beaches here - in this case Cox Bay - are always fun to stroll along. This postcard, taken in early February, features low tide and a rocky outcrop near the northern end of the Cox Bay beach.

Cox Bay beach details at low tide 2014-02-02

Portugal: Sandy Beaches of Almograve

After a few days near the beaches of Nazare, we had travelled inland to Tomar, Portugal. We were duly impressed by the Convent of Christ and the Castelo dos Templários but, after two nights, it was time to head back to the coast. An email from Gail had put us on to Vila Nova de Milfontes, where she and Darryl were staying. We decided to meet them there. Vila Nova de Milfontes did not disappoint. On one of the days of our stay, we did a bit of exploring. At the end of one road, we found the excellent beach of Almograve.

2014-05-14

Portugal; Beach at Nazare

After a few days in Lisbon, we picked up our rental car and headed out of the city. Hanne had picked out a hotel over the internet after I'd mentioned a preference for staying somewhere along the coast. The longer we stayed in Portugal, the more we realised that "by the sea or along the the coast" was an easy target. Much of Portugal is coastal. Thus, for Coast Heads such as we, a perfect place to holiday. Here, in Nazare, in early May, the beaches are as good as deserted.

The beach at Nazare, Portugal 2014-05-08

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) 

Ostfriesland: Strandkorb in April

In April of 2012 we were just a few days into our Europe vacation. We had crossed the Dutch-German border yesterday and now we found ourselves on the North Sea shore in Ostfriesland. From the look of the colourful Strandkorbe, of summer postcard fame, this beach at Nessmersiel was "closed for business".

April Strandkorb in 
Ostfriesland (2012-04-13) 

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)

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)