emailIsland View Beach Regional Park
This park offers an expansive beach along the eastern
shore of the Saanich Peninsula, and excellent bird watching.
Features
- long, sandy beach for exploring, picnicking and swimming
- beach, dune, wetland, and shrub ecosystems, home to numerous resident and migratory bird species, and many fragile plants
- bird watching along the shore and in the fields
- panoramic seascape views of Haro Strait, James Island and Mount Baker
- a loop trail offers an easy and scenic walk
- self-contained RV and tent campground
- Brochure (PDF
)
Trail Rating: Easy
Size:
51.73
hectares
Location: Island View Road in Central Saanich
Established: 1966
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Things to Do
RV and Tenting Campground
The Island View Beach Regional Park offers a self-contained RV and tent campground in Central Saanich. The campground is open for the summer season from the Victoria Day long weekend in May to the Labour Day long weekend in September.
Circle Walk
Explore Island View Beach Regional Park along a circle route. Head north down the beach, then join one of the access trails through the foredunes. Return by way of the inland trail through the old salt marsh and backdunes, and stop at the picnic area for a snack.
Wildlife Viewing Tips
Seabirds and shorebirds land at Island View Beach during migration times in the spring and autumn. Migratory seabirds graze on the eel grass beds at low tide or probe for worms, clams and other creatures in the sand. They are often exhausted from their long travels and need all the nourishment and rest they can get. Watch these animals from a distance and keep dogs on the trail and under control.
Some of BC's most threatened shorebirds nest on the ground on isolated rocky islets, spits and shorelines. Oystercatchers, for example, are one species at risk. They lay their well-camouflaged eggs in a scrape — nothing more than an arrangement of pebbles or even the bare rock itself. Oystercatchers also rely on distraction to fend off predators. Stay well clear of any bird displaying evasive behaviour and watch where you walk.
How to Get There
Follow the Pat Bay Highway from Victoria. Turn right on Island View Road, then left on Homathko Road, which leads to the park entrance. Allow approximately 30 minutes driving time from Victoria.
