Beachcombing

Each island posted on this Gulf Islands tourism website provides a list of parks with rocky and sandy beaches for you to explore. Each beach park includes a description, directions, lists of activities, services onsite and in most cases pictures.

The Gulf Islands enjoys a large selection of sandy beaches, sandstone rock beaches, pebbled beaches, midden beaches and rocky beaches. Some of the beaches are easily accessible while others are marine access only.

Most of the beaches on the Gulf Islands are located in protected parks and reserves. Some extend for many kilometres along the coastline others are hidden in secluded coves and bays. There are remote beaches at the end of hiking trails and there are very public beaches at the end of parking lots.

The services provided at the beaches vary from little to plenty. Services may or may not include washrooms, change rooms, pit toilets, picnic tables, picnic shelters, fire pits, trail signs, fresh water taps, marinas, restaurants, food stands, lifeguards swimming floats, rentals and/or viewpoints.

Many Gulf Island beaches provide an opportunity for beachcombing, sightseeing, wildlife watching and birdwatching. Here are a few notable Gulf Island beaches which have brought a smile to our face.

North Gulf Islands

• Rebecca Spit Provincial Park on Quadra Island includes a 2 kilometre sandy spit with hiking trails, picnic tables and plenty of beach access.

Central Gulf Islands

• Tribune Bay Provincial Park on Hornby Island enjoys a 1 kilometre sandy beach with plenty of marine activity and views.
• One of the most amazing sandy beaches on the west coast of British Columbia is located on a little known island named Savary Island. The beach covers the whole east side of the island.
• Shelter Point Bay Park located on Texada Island is a 900 acre park on the southern part of the island consisting of rocky cliffs, a pebbled beach and grassy knolls.

Southern Gulf Islands

• Ruckle Park on Saltspring Island includes a rocky and sandy beach that stretches out along the coastline for over 7 kilometres.
• Gabriola Sands on Gabriola Island is a 6 hectare park featuring 2 sandy beaches, a picnic area, hiking trails and giant sandstone rock formations in the Malaspina Galleries.

Enjoy your time at the beach EH!

The EH TEAM