Rathtrevor Beach

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is one of British Columbia's most famous and popular beach destinations. Featuring 5 kilometers of sandy ocean shore with great views of the Georgia Strait and the snow-capped mountains of the Sunshine Coast, walking trails through old-growth forest, a full-service campground, day use picnic areas with a playground and a concession stand, and a variety of bird-watching and wildlife viewing opportunities, it's no surprise that people flock this place from far and wide. And flock here they do; it can be quite busy at any time of the year and extremely busy during the summer.

What really makes Rathtrevor Beach special is the extensive tidal zone. At low tide the water recedes almost a full kilometer from the shore, revealing a large sandy area rife with sea life, tide pools, and seagrass to explore. When the tide comes in, the water warms quickly in the sun and makes for a great (albeit shallow) swimming area. As well as the hordes of tourists, this unique attribute also attracts a host of species of shorebirds to Rathtrevor, including the famous Brant geese, which often use the area as a staging and feeding area during their annual migration between February and May. In order to protect these migratory bird species, pets are not permitted within 100 meters of the beach between February 15 and April 30. During the rest of the year, standard provincial park restrictions apply (dogs must be leashed).