Want to uncover a new beach in BC before summer’s end? How about exploring some of the most stunning white-sand beaches in the province? The sand is soft and pristine, and the waters are often warm enough for swimming – even when glaciers are involved. So with that in mind, if you’re looking to carve out your own slice of paradise, here are some beautiful white-sand beaches in BC to check out.
Cape Scott Park
Named after a historical lighthouse that has guided mariners since 1960, Cape Scott Park is a must if you enjoy exploring rugged beaches and coastal wilderness. Accessible via hike through the San Josef Bay Trailhead, the park is known for having over 115 km of scenic shorelines, including 30 km of remote white-sand beaches.
The most well-known of its beaches, Nels Bight, is over 2,400 metres long (and 210 metres wide at low tide) – and is one of the park’s most popular camping spots.
Where: Northwestern tip of Vancouver Island
Cortes Island
This ‘tiny but mighty’ BC island is home to not one, but six stunning white-sand beaches, all of which boast warm water temps perfect for swimming and paddling.
Situated at the entrance of Desolation Sound, Cortes Island lies at the doorstep of breathtaking cliffsides, deep blue inlets, and stretches of natural beaches and lush forests. Truly the combination of the best natural geography BC has to offer, if you ask us!
Where: Cortes Island, BC
“Little Hawaii” Tribune Bay
If you’re keen on a trip to somewhere tropical without shelling out the dough, you can’t do much better than “Little Hawaii” in Tribune Bay. Located on the east side of Vancouver Island, this gem of a beach boasts shallower, warmer waters than what we’re used to on the mainland. In fact, BC Parks considers it to be one of the warmest saltwater swimming areas in the province. And it’s soft, white-sand beach certainly completes the paradise vibe!
Where: Hornby Island – accessible by two short ferry rides from Vancouver Island.
Mᑫuqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula Park
In addition to a “world-class” wilderness experience, Mᑫuqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula Park offers visitors the chance to beach comb and lounge at beautiful sandy beaches – and witness fascinating inter-tidal marine life while you’re at it.
Hikers can explore several high-tide routes between headlands, or opt for the 20-minute hike from Columbia Cove to the most easterly beach on the south coast of the peninsula.
Where: 20 km southwest of Port Alice, BC
So there you have it, BC! If you’re looking to uncover some last-minute beach gems in BC, consider this list a great place to start.
