Secret Beaches of Southern Vancouver Island: Qualicum to the Malahat

by Theo Dombrowski

Overview

This is your guide to dozens of spectacular and often hidden beaches on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island between Qualicum and the Malahat. While some of them are well used by people living nearby, many are virtually impossible to find without combing through official maps and back-road guides. From tiny rocky coves to broad sandy beaches, these public-access spots are enormously diverse.

Just as important as finding these spots is knowing what to expect. Thus each location is accompanied by detailed information that any beach explorer should know before setting out. Is the beach a few level steps from a vehicle or down a high, steep bank? Is the beach suitable for children? Large groups? Kayakers?

All of these questions and many more are answered in this book, which includes Theo’s hand-drawn maps, photographs and artwork.

• Watch sea lions in the winter (Higginson Road)
• Paint one of the few great views of Mt. Arrowsmith—go before noon for dramatic light (Rowland Road)
• Head to the most child-friendly beach between Crofton and the Malahat (Cherry Point Nature Park)
• Splash and swim in warm water over sand (Benwalden Road)

Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, launch kayaks, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781894974974
Publisher:	Heritage House Publishing Company, Limited
Publication date:	04/01/2010
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Theo Dombrowski is an artist, writer, kayaker, hiker, mountain biker and skier. He worked in international education for most of his career, primarily at Lester Pearson College, near Victoria, BC. Along with two guidebooks published by RMB | Rocky Mountain Books, Popular Day Hikes 4: Vancouver Island and Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island, he has also worked with Heritage House Publishing as the author of the Secret Beaches series of guidebooks and as the illustrator for two children's books, Quests for Fire: Tales from Many Lands and A Book of Tricksters: Tales from Many Lands. He donates some of the profits from his book projects to charity, principally the Georgia Strait Alliance and Médecins sans frontières (MSF) International. He lives in Nanoose Bay, British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

The Vancouver Island Beach 5

Public access 6

Beach access warning 7

Beaches in this book 7

The Great Beach Experience 8

Weather 9

Sun direction 11

Tides 11

Children 13

Signs 15

Parking 18

Facilities 18

Boat launching 18

Cyclists 19

Beach fires 19

Beachcombing 19

Seclusion 20

Compass directions 20

Mountain views 21

Maps 24

Part 1 Qualicum to Lantzville 25

Part 2 Lantzville to Chemainus 117

Part 3 Chemainus to the Malahat 203

Best Bets 250

Index to Entries 255

Acknowledgements 256

Editorial Reviews

a welcome addition to your Nature Walks library —Island Parent magazine

From the Publisher