Sandwell Provincial Park on Gabriola Island

Norbi's fate, had he stayed home, was shopping. And, likely, more shopping! Fortunatlely I came to his rescue.

My alternative to shopping was a day checking out as many beaches - with lunch and beer in between - as possible on Gabriola Island. After stops at Brickyard Beach, Degnen Bay, Drumbeg Park, and the pub at Silva Bay, we made our way to Sandwell Provincial Park. The rains of the previous evening had created a bit of a slick path to the beach (it should be mentioned, that this path is 650 meters long and quite steep) but we were down at sea level in no time at all.

Dombrowski: "...more than a kilometre long... mostly composed 
of a band of beach logs and fine pebbles leading, at low tide, 
to a wide stretch of fine, firm sand and tidal pools."(2013-06-01)

The beach, #15 (page 57) in Theo Drombowski's "Secret Beaches of the Salish Sea" is, to quote Dombrowski, "...more than a kilometre long... mostly composed of a band of beach logs and fine pebbles leading, at low tide, to a wide stretch of fine, firm sand and tidal pools."

 The south end of Sandwell Beach is rocky (2013-06-01)

This beach truly is a gem. But for the rather long and steep path leading to and from it, Sandwell Park beach is close to perfect!

South end of Sandwell Beach (2013-06-01)

Amidst the large boulders at the south end of the 
beach at Sandwell Park; fine sand (2013-06-01)

Looking south along the beach at Sandwell Park (2013-06-01)

Sandstone Beach along Jack Point

In Theo Dombrowski's excellent, must-have, book on "secret beaches", the Biggs and Jack Point Park beach is listed as #62 on page 165 (Secret Beaches of Southern Vancouver Island). To cite Dombrowski, "there are plenty of options for curling up in a sandstone basin, perching atop a sandstone couch or peering into tidal pools."

In a word, this beach is all about sandstone. Although there are plenty of examples of sandstone beaches on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, this one at Jack Point has perhaps the biggest concretions I've seen in the area. Of course, there are plenty of examples of the tripe-like erosions here as well.

 Large concretions on a sandstone beach (2012-10-17)

Trip-like sandstone erosions (2012-10-17)

 A continuation of the sandstone formations on the other side of the little bay (2012-10-17)

Sandstone beach details  (2012-10-17)

Departure Bay Details: a Stroll in October

Around mid-October, with a reasonably low tide (after having been turned back by high water in the past, I have learned to check this out), I thought I'd take a stroll along the Departure Bay beach, from the access point near the end of White Eagle Terrace, to the Kin Hut. The foliage showed off bright autumn colours. What struck me on this walk, was the amount of stuff, rusty and otherwise, I encountered. What follows are some impressions. Enjoy!

Autumn colours liven up a rocky Departure Bay beach (2012-10-14) 

Oh Canada! Maple leaf on a rocky beach (2012-10-14) 

Might this have been part of a float in earlier days? (2012-10-14) 

Rusty remnants of another era (2012-10-14) 

Autumn foliage covers the beach around the high water mark (2012-10-14) 

Rusty stuff; a reminder of bygone eras (2012-10-14) 

Too many colours to resist taking a picture (2012-10-14) 

In the distance, the Nanaimo oceanographic research facility (2012-10-14)

More rusty stuff. Mining? Logging? Marine? Who knows? (2012-10-14) 

Rathtrevor Beach by Parksville

Rathtrevor Beach, near Parksville BC, is one of those beaches that will have you coming back over and over.

Acres of beachcombing sand at Rathtrevor beach near Parksville

We've enjoyed the park in all seasons and in all conceivable weather. It must be said, however, whether you're visiting on a sunny day or bundled up against the wind, Rathtrevor is definitely best seen at low tide.

Mistaken Island; seen from
the waters off Rathtrevor Beach

At even a modest low tide, Rathtrevor Beach provides the avid beachcomber with literally kilometers of sandy territory to explore. Of course, with so much beach area to stroll about on looking for sand dollars and other treasures, there's still plenty of privacy for sunbathers on even the busiest weekend. And, when the sun is out, an in-coming tide, slowly making it's way over the great expanse of hot sand, warms the water for visitors who hsve come to swim or just just take a quick dip.

The beach is clearly the jewel in a park with many other great features that are also worth a visit. A 5.5 kilometre network of park trails take walkers and bikers through shaded mature Douglas fir forests or parallel to the beach itself.

Acres of beachcombing sand at
Rathtrevor beach near Parksville

Reserve early if you intend to camp in one of the most popular campgrounds in the province.

Rathtrevor Beach is not just about sand, shells and sand dollars

The mountains of the British Columbia Mainland seen from Rathtrevor Beach

Roberts Memorial Provincial Park

Roberts Memorial Provincial Park is located 15 km south of Nanaimo. From Highway 1, take the Cedar Road exit, then turn on to Yellowpoint Road.

Roberts Memorial Provincial Park  2009-06-13

Follow Yellowpoint Road until you see the familiar wooden Provincial Park sign.

Roberts Memorial Park: unique sandstone ledges 2009-06-13

Right behind the sign is a decent-sized parking lot with a notice board that includes a map of the park and other useful bits of information.

The trail to the beach starts right behind the notice board. This 1-kilometer trail takes visitors through a traditional southern Vancouver Island (east coast) forest, before arriving at the beach overlooking scenic Stewart Channel.

Roberts Memorial Park: Cascadia and her domain 2009-06-13 

The beach at Roberts Memorial Park is unique. Rather than the more common rock or pebble beach, or the idealized sandy beach, this beach features a series of sandstone ledges. Thus, walking this beach is as easy as walking a city sidewalk.

Roberts Memorial Park: unique sandstone ledges  2009-06-13

And, for sunbathers, there are plenty of clean, smooth surfaces to put a towel upon. Clearly that's what attracts the Steller’s and California sea lions, who haul out to bask in the sun on these unique sandstone ledges during the summer months.

In Theo Dombrowski's excellent guide, "Secret Beaches of Southern Vancouver Island ", the beach at Roberts Memorial Park is listed as #68, on page 180.

Location: 49°3'44"N   123°46'28"W

Historical note: the park was donated by May Vaughan Roberts in memory of her husband and daughter and established as a park in 1980.

Opa enjoys a driftlog at
Roberts Memoral Park 2009-07-07

Oma on a sandstone ledge at
Roberts Memoral Park  2009-07-07

A shell midden on the beach suggests it was once a site used by First Nations for the harvesting of intertidal life.

Incinerator Beach (Long Beach)

Incinerator Beach is located at the northern end of Pacific Rim National Park and is thus the park beach  closest to the village of Tofino.

Incinerator Beach with Lovekin Rock in the distance

Located 32 kilometres from the Highway 4 T-intersection (the Tofino-Ucluelet junction) but only 16 kilometres from Tofino, Incinerator Beach seems busier than other beaches in the park. This may be due to it's proximity to the village, or the fact that it appears to be favoured by surfers and those who like to watch their pursuits. In fact, we first visited Incinerator Beach after we had inquired in Tofino about where we might observe the most surfing activity.

Incinerator Beach; favoured by surfers

Incinerator Rock is a section of beach - the northern end of Long Beach - rather than a beach on its own. It makes up the northern end of Long Beach, and is a favorite of local surfers. Incinerator Beach provides plenty of opportunity to view surfers and also, if you hunt around, you might also find the occasional nooks and crannies ideal for reading or tanning. For photographers, an extra bonus  is the high rock that juts out into the water. A short hike up this rock rewards the photographer with great views of surf, sand, and surfers. 

Climb the rock for a better view of Incinerator Beach

In earlier days, long before a paved highway was the primary means of transport, a footpath near Incinerator Beach connected a sheltered bay on the other side of Esowista Peninsula - the geographical feature defining this area around Tofino - to the wilder, surf-pounded Pacific shore. Thus, canoes were landed on the quiet mudflats in Grice Bay and a trail lead to the ocean. 

Climb the rock for a better view of Incinerator Beach

Incinerator Beach is a "take your shoes off" kind of beach

Little Bay at East End of Jesse Island

When taking visitors on a kayaking tour of Departure Bay, in Nanaimo, I like to circumnavigate Jesse Island.

Salish Sea and BC Coastal Montains:
seen from Jesse Island beach

There are a couple of small, but nice, beaches on Jesse Island. Unfortunately, they're not always accessible. And when I say, "not accessible", I don't mean because a boat of some sort would be required to get to them. No, in the case of Jesse Island, the problem is a loud, vicious looking dog. Jesse Island is a private island, and the owners are entitled to "guard" it any way they see fit. Unless.... Unless, as per my reading of provincial documents (I'm no lawyer):

Aquatic lands are the foreshore and beds of streams, rivers, lakes and coastal waters, such as Georgia Strait, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and inlets. In British Columbia, the Crown retains ownership of lands below the natural boundary, except in very rare instances. 

BC Ferry passing the navigation light on Jesse Island

So, as I'm no lawyer, I read this to mean that the beach below the "natural boundary" (the high water mark?) is Crown Land. I further read this to mean that I can land my kayak there and enjoy the beach to it's fullest.

Enjoying the beach at east end of Jesse Island

So.... So, I wish the owners of the island would get their dog under control. I believe all kayakers, and the poor residents of the opposite shore, would agree with me. The dog is loud and annoying!

Photos taken: 2011-07-04

Beach at the end of Valdes Drive on Quadra Island

In his "Secret Beaches of the Salish Sea: the Northern Gulf Islands" Theo Dombrowski identifies the beach at the end of Valdes Drive, on Quadra Island, as Secret Beach #59.  

Looking out over Open Bay (Quadra Island)

When we stayed at the historic Heriot Bay Inn in April of 2010,  I had initially identified this beach as Open Bay. As per the map below, this beach is part of or slightly north of Open Bay. 

Dombrowski mentions a large cable sign on a tree. This is the very beach we discovered by chance while driving around exploring Quadra Island. 

For serious beachcombing the season is NEVER closed

Most notable for this beach are the considerable number of drift logs.

Drift logs are a huge feature of
the beach at Valdes Drive

Although this beach is a considerable distance (at least 16 kilometers) from Heriot Bay, it is well worth the drive. 

FROM: http://www.quadraisland.ca/recreation/hiking_trails/

Beach at Blueback Road (Nanaimo)

Theo Dombrowski uses the title "Secret Beaches" for his collection of books about beaches on Vancouver Island and on the Gulf Islands in the Salish Sea.

Skim-boarding on the beach at the foot of Blueback Road

The beach at the foot of Blueback Road in Nanaimo ought not to be a secret; it is, after all, at the northern end of a fairly large city on Vancouver Island. Nonetheless, ask most residents of Nanaimo if they're aware of the beach at Blueback Road and you're likely to get puzzled looks. Fitness buffs may have been there for the "Stairmaster" workout they get from the approximately 300 steps down to the beach. Having watched them, I actually think the thrill they get is from the 300 steps UP. And then down again. And then again. And again. Who needs a gym membership? In summer, at low tide, it's clear that skim-boarding kids know about this well-kept secret.

Summer on the beach at the foot of Blueback Road

For the average Nanaimo resident, however, it is an unknown. And that's too bad, because, sandy beaches are a rarity around Nanaimo and the beach at Blueback Road is an awesome sandy beach! With one caveat; at low tide.

Photos taken: 2012-08-14

Looking out over the Winchelsea Islands
 from the beach at the foot of Blueback Road

Florencia Bay: First Post

Florencia Bay

Florencia Bay (Long Beach) - 13-07-12

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