Beaches in Victoria fall into two categories: for wildlife and for people. Not all the beaches are on the ocean! There are some very nice freshwater lakes in the area, including Elk, Beaver (to the north) and Thetis (to the west). For a clean sandy beach, you might try Cadboro Bay (near the University of Victoria ) or Willows Beach in Oak Bay. For a more rugged beach, look beside Dallas Road (south of downtown), or by Mount Douglas or a bit further north on Cordova Bay. Here’s an overview of the better beaches in the Victoria area:
Wildlife Beaches
Here are some of the best beaches close to town for observing nature at its best:
| Beach | Area | Best Road Access |
East of Victoria | ||
| Beacon Hill Park | Victoria | Dallas Road |
| Gonzales Bay | Oak Bay | Beach Drive |
| McNeil Bay | Oak Bay | Beach Drive |
| Cadboro Bay | Saanich | Cadboro Bay Rd |
North of Victoria | ||
| Island View Beach | Central Saanich | Patricia Bay Hwy (17) to Island View Rd |
| Patricia Bay | North Saanich | Patricia Bay Hwy (17) west on Mills Rd |
| Tsehum Harbour | North Saanich | Patricia Bay Hwy (17) to Macdonald Park Rd |
| Moses Point | North Saanich | Patricia Bay Hwy (17) west on Lands End Rd |
West of Victoria | ||
| Esquimalt Lagoon | Colwood | Oak Island Hwy (1A) to Ocean Blvd |
| Witty’s Beach and Lagoon | Metchosin | Sooke Rd (14) to Metchosin Rd |
| East Sooke Regional Park | Sooke | Sooke Rd (14), south on Gillespie Rd, west on East Sooke Rd |
| Whiffin Spit | Sooke | Sooke Rd (14) past Sooke to Wiffen Spit Rd |
People Beaches
These beaches are ideally suited for people to enjoy the ocean sunshine. Generally, these beaches have change rooms & showers, picnic tables, even playgrounds. Please keep in mind that you are not allowed beach fires in Victoria and Esquimalt, though you may in Oak Bay, Saanich, Central Saanich and North Saanich – if you get a fire permit from the municipal fire hall.
Generally, the lake beaches don’t have lifeguards, though Thetis Lake, and North end of Elk Lake do (in season).
| Beach | Area | Best Road Access |
East of Victoria | ||
| Gonzales Bay | Oak Bay | Beach Dr east of Victoria Golf Club |
| Cadboro Gyro Park | Saanich | Cadboro Bay Rd |
| Willows Bay | Oak Bay | Beach Drive south of Uplands Park |
North of Victoria | ||
| Cordova Bay Beach | Saanich | Patricia Bay Hwy (17) to Cordova Bay Rd |
| Elk and Beaver Lake Park | Central Saanich | Patricia Bay Hwy (17) to Beaver lake Rd or Brookleigh Rd |
| Sidney Spit Marine Park | Sidney Island | Patricia Bay Hwy (17) to Sidney, then onto ferry to Sidney Island |
West of Victoria | ||
| Saxe Point West | Esquimalt | Esquimalt Rd to Fraser St |
| Thetis Lake Park | View Royal | Island Hwy (1) to Six Mile Rd |
| Witty’s Beach Park | Metchosin | Sooke Rd (14) to Metchosin Rd |
| East Sooke Park | Sooke | Sooke Rd (14), south on Gillespie Rd, west on East Sooke Rd |
| Prior Lake (clothing optional beach) | View Royal | Island Hwy (1) to Six Mile Rd |