Wickaninnish Beach in November

If ever there was a "go-to" place for Hanne and me, it surely would be Long Beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We love beaches, and this area is not short of these. We'd be hard-pressed to name a favourite, as they all have features that recommend them. I love Florencia Bay, but I'd have to add; the north end not the south. The walk (perhaps it almost qualifies as a hike) to Schooner Cove, never mind the beach, is pretty awesome.

Wickaninnish Beach is perhaps the longest and most uninterrupted of the Long Beach strands. That is surely a positive feature. It's also the "closest" beach for those travelling from outside this region. When there's time for only one beach, proximity might make this the one.

In November of 2015 we checked into the Water's Edge Hotel in Ucluelet and began our exploration of Long Beach. On November 21, we arrived at Wickaninnish beach bright and early. The sun was out, and a little frost glistened on the low tide sands.

The November tides had left the strand a tad messy.
Exactly what Hanne like for her beachcombing (2015-11-21)

Contrast (2015-11-21)

As usual, Long Beach features plenty of driftlogs (2015-11-21)

 Flotsam and jetsam (2015-11-21)

As usual, tangles of bullkelp (2015-11-21)

Vast stretches of sand (2015-11-21)

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)

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

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

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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