The quant seaside town of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia is a must-visit no matter the season, with plenty of natural wonders and year-round provincial parks to uncover. Love caving? The iconic Horne Lake Caves are at the town’s doorstep, allowing visitors to explore some of the best cave systems in Canada.
There are also plenty of beaches and old-growth forests to discover, so let’s dive in!
With over 4 kilometres of soft, sandy beaches to explore, beach-goers at Qualicum Beach have no shortage of options. During high tide, visitors can stroll along a scenic promenade that leads to one of the most ‘storied’ beaches in the province.
On the west end of the waterfront area, there’s the Seaside Nature Park with a 180-degree viewpoint from an elevated platform, often used by photographers and birdwatchers.
Some of Canada’s oldest and tallest trees
The picturesque town is also the gateway to MacMillan Provincial Park, which is open to tree lovers year-round. Here, visitors will find the historic Cathedral Grove, AKA one of the most accessible strands of giant Douglas Firs on the island, according to BC Parks.
In addition to the shimmering Cameron Lake, visitors can hike through meandering forested trails past toweing ancient trees, some of which are more than 800 years old.
According to Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism, the Big Tree Trail takes visitors to the oldest and largest trees in the park, located on the south side of the highway.
The widest tree is a Douglas Fir that measures 9 metres in circumference!
Want to extend your visit? There are plenty of enchanting waterfalls to chase and lakes to take a dip in at the nearby Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, which will re-open for the season in April.
So there you have it, beach lovers! Consider stopping at this scenic small town during your next trip to the Island.
Qualicum Beach
How to get there: Take a ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Nanaimo (Duke Point) and drive 38 minutes to Qualicum Beach via BC-19 N.
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