Beaches · Victoria · Canada
The best beaches in and near Victoria
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SamGusway, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Willows Beach (About 5 km east of downtown).
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Warmest sea
- 12°C (54°F)
The beaches
About 5 km east of downtown · Families
1.Willows Beach
A sandy, sheltered beach in Oak Bay with calm water, a promenade, a playground and a café.
About 4 km south-east of downtown · Quiet picnics
2.Gonzales Bay
A small sandy cove below the Fairfield cliffs, quiet and pretty.
About 2 km south of downtown · Walks and sunsets
3.Dallas Road beaches
Pebble and driftwood beaches below the clifftop path, with views of the Olympic Mountains.
About 20 km north of downtown · Beachcombing and birdwatching
4.Island View Beach
A long beach with dunes and views of Mount Baker on the Saanich Peninsula.
About 20 km west of downtown · Nature walks
5.Witty's Lagoon
A sandy spit and lagoon reached by a forest trail past a waterfall in Metchosin.
About 70 km west of downtown · Adventure and photography
6.Mystic Beach
A wild Pacific beach where a waterfall pours onto the sand, reached by a steep forest trail.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C (46°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
| February | 8°C (46°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| March | 8°C (46°F) | 10°C (50°F) |
| April | 9°C (48°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| June | 11°C (52°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| July | 12°C (54°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| August | 12°C (54°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| September | 12°C (54°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| October | 11°C (52°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| November | 10°C (50°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
| December | 9°C (48°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, families, luxury and beach
Oak Bay
Oak Bay is a well-to-do district with an English-village feel along Oak Bay Avenue, known for tea rooms, bookshops and gardens. Willows Beach is the area's best sandy beach, and the scenic Beach Drive follows the shore past the Oak Bay Marina and the Uplands' large houses.
- Good
- Calm, safe-feeling streets; Sandy beach; Pretty coastal drive
- Watch out
- About 15 minutes by car or bus from downtown; Limited nightlife
- Nearby
- Willows Beach, Oak Bay Avenue, Oak Bay Marina, Uplands Park
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — BC Transit's Victoria Regional Transit System covers the city, Oak Bay, Sidney and the west shore, including a route to Butchart Gardens.
- Boat — Victoria Harbour Ferry's small boats shuttle between docks around the Inner Harbour and run harbour and Gorge waterway tours.
- Ferry — BC Ferries sail from Swartz Bay, about 32 km north, to Tsawwassen near Vancouver in about 1 hour 35 minutes, and to the Southern Gulf Islands.
- Car — A car helps for Butchart Gardens, the Juan de Fuca coast and the Cowichan Valley; downtown parking is metered and limited.
Beach-weather months
Air temperatures rarely reach classic beach weather here: the warmest month, July, averages 22°C (72°F).
Beach safety
Victoria is generally relaxed for visitors, but there is visible homelessness and some street disorder in parts of downtown, especially around Pandora Avenue; keep valuables out of sight in cars. On the coast, the water is very cold year-round, beach logs can roll in waves, and tides can cut off rocky shelves, so check tide tables. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Victoria have beaches?
Yes: Willows Beach, Gonzales Bay, Dallas Road beaches, Island View Beach, Witty's Lagoon and Mystic Beach.
+What is the best beach near Victoria?
Willows Beach: A sandy, sheltered beach in Oak Bay with calm water, a promenade, a playground and a café.