Located right on the very southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is a beautiful coastal city with magnificent ocean views in three different directions. Look to the north and you’ll see the Gulf Islands, including Salt Spring. Turn a bit to the east and the distant volcanic peak of Mt Baker is visible, along with the surrounding mountain ranges of the mainland. The most iconic views are to the south though, where the Olympic Mountains stretch across the horizon, casting their shadows on the straight of Juan de Fuca which separates the Olympic Peninsula from Vancouver Island. From the beautiful (but often chilly) beaches which stretch along the coastline of the Saanich Peninsula, there are tons of amazing views to be had of the surrounding waters. Many local beaches are popular among locals tidepooling, picnicking, or just cooling off from the summer heat. Between the many local waterfalls and beaches, Victorians are spoiled for choice when it comes to places to cool off. Swimming is usually reserved for the brave though.
Not all beaches are created equal though, and the many beaches of Victoria are diverse. From smooth sandy shores to pebble beaches and rugged rocks pocked with tidepools full of life, there is something for everyone. Many of the best beaches are located only a very short distance from the center of the city, but there are some fantastic ones a little further away as well. All the beaches I’ve listed here are within about half an hour from downtown Victoria, and require no hiking to get to. If you are looking for some great hikes near Victoria however, I’ve put together a list of my favourites here.
Spiral Beach
Spiral Beach, which runs alongside Dallas Road, is one of the best beaches in Victoria BC. At its eastern terminus is Clover Point, where on windy days (and they are common) it’s common to see windsurfers, hang-gliders, and kite enthusiasts. From there all the way to other end of this long Victoria pebble beach, steep grassy cliffs hide the surrounding city from beachgoers, making it very easy to forget how close Spiral beach is to the heart of Victoria. Above the cliffs a popular pedestrian and bike pathway runs, offering jaw-dropping views down over the beach and towards the Olympic Mountains to the south. Despite its popularity, the immense length of this Victoria Beach makes it easy to find a corner all to yourself and enjoy a sunset.
Finlayson Point Beach to Mile Zero Beach
By following the clifftop pathway west of Spiral Beach, you’ll find a number of small little pocket beaches with stairs leading down to them. These small Victoria BC beaches are isolated by the high verdant cliffs surrounding them, making them perfect for seeking a little isolation. Just like neighbouring Spiral Beach, all these little beaches offer great views towards the Olympic Mountains. While the easiest way to access them is via the stairs from the park above, it’s also possible to traverse the rocks connecting them at low tide.
Steve Fonyo Beach
One of the final stretches of beach along Dallas Road, Steve Fonyo Beach is named after the legendary Canadian runner who followed in Terry Fox’s footsteps running across Canada. Nearly a kilometre of path runs past Steve Fonyo Beach and alongside the shoreline of Holland Point Park, making it a perfect place to look south towards the Olympic as well as west towards parts of Victoria. Steve Fonyo Beach is popular among people watching the cruise ships come in to port, as well as looking at the tide pools that appear in the rocks at low tide.. Unlike the previously mentioned stretches of beach along Dallas Road which are accessible only by steep stairs, the gently sloping paved footpath makes Steve Fonyo Beach one of the most accessible beaches in Victoria.
Gonzales Beach
Unlike the previous Victoria BC beaches which are exposed to the rough waves and winds that the PNW is known for, Gonzales Beach is sheltered by a large bay that results in calm waters. As a result, Gonzales Beach is one of the most popular Victoria beaches for swimming and SUPing. With lovely soft sand and great views south towards the Olympics, Gonzales Beach is without a doubt one of the best in Victoria.
Willows Beach
Willows Beach is one of the best sandy beaches in Victoria, and one of the most popular beaches for families. Beyond the paved footpath which runs alongside the long beach is a large park with a playground, washrooms, picnic tables, and the Willows Tea Room, which offers lots of snacks and drinks. Willows Beach is located to the east of downtown Victoria, and offers fantastic views over Discovery Island towards Washington and the distinct Mt Baker in the distance. Willows Beach features soft sand and calm shallow water that is ideal for swimming and other water activities.
Cadboro Beach
Infamous for sightings of the legendary PNW sea serpent Cadborosaurus, Cadboro Beach, or “Caddy” Beach as locals know it, is one of the most popular beaches in Victoria. Not only does it feature a long sandy beach with calm shallow water perfect for swimming, but Caddy Beach is also popular among families for its large green park featuring a large playground, washrooms, and picnic tables.
Telegraph Beach
Telegraph Beach is one of the smallest and quietest beaches near Victoria. Despite being only a short drive from some of the popular long Sandy beaches on this list, Telegraph Beach remains a great place to escape the crowds. The incredibly calm waters of Telegraph Beach make it popular with snorkellers and scuba divers. This north-facing pebble beach is one of my favourites in Victoria, especially for sunrise. The short and flat access to the beach from the parking area also make it a very accessible beach.
Gordon Head Beach
Gordon Head Beach, also sometimes known as Arbutus Cove Beach, is one of the best combination rock and sand beaches in Victoria. This mid-sized beach features calm water and fantastic views east towards the San Juan Islands and the mainland beyond. Located in the Gordon Bay neighborhood and accessible via a short trail and some stairs, Gordon Head Beach is one of my favourites in Victoria. Sheltered by cliffs covered in arbutus trees and relatively quiet, it’s a great spot to get away from the city.
Esquimalt Lagoon Beach
Esquimalt Lagoon is one of the treasures of the Victoria area. This large shallow lagoon is one of seven migratory bird sanctuaries in BC, and is an important stopover for birds journeying between North and South America. The 2 km narrow sand spit that runs alongside the calm lagoon, separating it from the ocean is a popular spot for beachgoers. Not only is there the chance to spot plenty of wildlife, but this beach features beautiful views east towards Victoria and Washington in the distance. Walking all the way up this popular but quiet beach will reveal several beautiful driftwood sculptures carefully placed along it.
Taylor Beach
Taylor Beach is a beautiful beach south of Victoria with one of the best views of the Olympic Mountains. This long beach composed of small gravel is perfect for walking along and taking a dip, plus it’s not far from Witty’s Lagoon, a great spot for birdwatching and visiting the waterfall.
Weir’s Beach
Weir’s Beach is one of the best beaches near Victoria, and in my opinion has some of the most beautiful views of any beach on this list. The southern end of Weir’s Beach is home to an RV park, but the northern end (where I suggest accessing the beach from) is quiet and pristine. The beautiful white sand of Weir’s Beach is the softest of any beach near Victoria I’ve been to, and it surprises me that the beach is still such a hidden gem – many locals haven’t even heard of it! Enjoy spectacular views towards the Olympic Mountains to the south as well as Victoria to the north.
Cordova Bay Beach
Cordova Bay Beach is a long sand beach north of Mt Doug and the rest of Victoria. The same long shoreline that starts here at Cordova Bay Beach continues north and becomes Parker Beach and then Island View Beach. Cordova Bay Beach is a quiet beach that is only well known by locals, and the soft sand is perfect for walking down.
Parker Beach
Further north along the same shoreline as Cordova Bay Beach, Parker Beach is a long mixed sand and rock beach that is mostly only popular among locals, and is a great beach near Victoria to beat the crowds. It’s a fantastic beach to walk along and enjoy beautiful views to the east towards the San Juan Islands as well as south towards Mt Doug, and is also popular for birdwatching.
Island View Beach
Island View Beach is a long scenic beach north of Victoria that is popular among picnickers and features a large campground. Views east towards the Southern Gulf and San Juan Islands are impressive, and despite being a well-known beach for families and groups, Island View Beach is large enough that it’s usually easy to find an area to yourself.
