Categories: Lifestyle

You can stand under a cascading waterfall at this sandstone-covered beach in BC

Photo via Shutterstock

Fun day trip alert! Nestled on the west coast of Vancouver Island is one of BC’s coastal gems – and it’s not far from Victoria. If you’re looking for a place to explore that’s equally captivating as it is relaxing, Sandcut Beach is it.

Named for its unique sandstone formations, visitors can spot fossilized sea shells – revealed little by little as the sandstone erodes. And while you can’t take them home with you, they certainly make for a fascinating story and photo!

Speaking of, the 3.5 km-long cobbled beach features a beautiful, 23-foot cascading waterfall – just steps away from the ocean. So if you’re looking for a picturesque place to spend the day, you’ll definitely find it here.

Photo via EB Adventure Photography / Shutterstock

From the parking lot (Highway 14, East of Jordan River), it’s a short 400-metre hike through stunning coastal rainforest and old-growth cedars to the beachfront. Once you’ve stood underneath the mesmerizing waterfall, you can head to the water where you can spot everything from gray whales and humpbacks to orcas, seals, and eagles.

Despite being an hour and a half away from downtown Victoria, Sandcut Beach remains one of the region’s most popular beachcombing spots. So be aware before you head out – the parking lot tends to fill up pretty quickly on summer days!

So there you have it, Vancouver! If you need some more spontaneous day trip ideas, you know where to look.