North Vancouver Island Beaches

Northern Vancouver Island’s Remote

Northern Vancouver Island offers some of the most raw and awe-inspiring beach landscapes in all of British Columbia. Remote, wild, and deeply spiritual, these beaches require more effort to reach — but the reward is a profound sense of place that stays with you long after you’ve left. San Josef Bay, accessible via a well-maintained trail through old-growth forest, is one of the most iconic — a wide expanse of white sand framed by sea stacks, driftwood, and silence. It’s a place where the elements feel close, where wind and tide shape each visit differently, and where solitude is deeply felt, even in the company of others.
Further west lies Cape Scott Provincial Park, home to a string of remote beaches like Nels Bight and Guise Bay, accessible only via multi-day hikes through rainforest and coastal headlands. These shores are not just remote; they are sacred. This is the unceded territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples, whose stewardship and history extend far beyond what most visitors see.
Trails often pass by culturally significant sites, and visitors are urged to walk with humility, pack out everything they bring in, and respect the fragile ecosystems and cultural histories that define these places. In the north, the beach is not a playground — it’s a teacher, a witness, and a living part of the island’s identity.

Top Beaches in the Saanich Peninsula

Vanislander / Landmarks / Beaches / Beaches by Region / North Vancouver Islands beaches

Palmerston Beach

Welcome to Palmerston Beach, a secluded and breathtaking destination on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, near Winter Harbour in the Mount Waddington region. This hidden gem is a true escape, celebrated for its wild, untouched shoreline, where waves crash against sandy stretches and rugged rocks, offering a raw connection to the Pacific Ocean. Its remote location at Palmerston Beach Rd, Mount Waddington, BC V0N 1Z0, Canada, makes it a haven for adventurers craving solitude and natural beauty. Unlike more crowded Vancouver Island beaches, Palmerston Beach delivers a serene, off-the-grid experience, with opportunities to spot seals, sea lions, and bald eagles against a backdrop of misty forests and ocean vistas. Perfect for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers, this article dives deep into why to visit, how to get there, top activities, planning tips, and nearby attractions—everything you need for an unforgettable Vancouver Island adventure!

Things to Do on Vancouver Island

Camping in Wildwoods Campsite

On the entrance of Hardy Bay, Wildwoods Campsite is located in a rainforest. Many adventure offers are available in this campground in addition to undeniable chances of peaceful camping. For almost 30 years, this campground welcomes campers with great campsites, including all necessary facilities.

Kyuquot Sound Surfing

Rebuild your imagination about surfing while you are having a great time in the Kyuquot Sound area, an area of world-class beaches and reefs. Featuring amazing natural scenery which can cheer you up while you are skimming the surface of the water. The beautiful sandy beach features an eye-catching view that can trigger you to camp and surf on one of the largest campsites on Vancouver Island.

Quatsino Sound Kayaking

Stretch your minds and imaginations to a different experience of kayaking by going to Quatsino Sound. As a mysterious place, it is known as underground caverns, and it offers undeniably chances for those in love with paddling. While you are on the water and paddling the smooth waves, you may be lucky and observe some marine creatures that can add to your joy.

Nootka Sound Kayaking and Canoeing

If paddling is frightening for you, make it normal while you are in Nootka Sound. It s worthy of mentioning that while paddling in the waters of Nootka Sound, you are given the pleasure of observing the birth point of BC, Yuquot. Nootka Sound is known as the paradise of the paddlers, and its island provides an extraordinary situation in which an astonishing adventure is waiting to be embraced.

Wreck of the SS Themis Diving

No one can imagine a sank ship's wrecks can make an ideal place to dive deep in the water. Wreck of the SS Themis Diving is a habitat for a small diversity of marine creatures, and it is a beautiful background view for your pictures.

Camping in Port Hardy RV Resort and Log Cabins

While exploring the lands of Northern Vancouver Island, do not forget to visit Port Hardy RV Resort and Log Cabins to stay a day or two. This clean and safe campground provides you with amenities and chances to have a splendid time at a sandy beach, in which you can enjoy a meal of the fish you caught. The resemblance of this campground to paradise is uncanny, providing untenable forest tours.

Mount Cain Snowmobiling

Mount Cain is one of the pioneer points for snowmobiling in Vancouver Island for modern snowmobile engines. The good news is that snowmobiling in Mount Cain full of endless excitement, and you can enjoy the rare beauty of its nature while surfing the snow.

Telegraph Cove Kayaking

As another significant paradise for paddling, kayaker and canoeists can lose themselves enjoying every single moment while they are on board. Besides the great adventure of surfing the water, paddlers can do other water activities and make their stay even more memorable. So, if you are a paddling freak, don't forget to prioritize Telegraph Cove.

Mount Cain Snowboarding

Mount Cain Ski Resort is a snow-capped location on the northern part of Vancouver Island, in which you can experience a new sense of winter activities, snowboarding in particular. It boasts a wide range of snowboarding facilities, and skis, poles, helmets and boots are rented near Mount Cain and are available at nearby ski shops.

Camping in the Alder Bay RV Park & Marina

While exploring the northern parts of Vancouver Island, why not relax a day or two in a fantastic campground? Alder Bay RV Park & Marina offers undeniable RV camping with ocean views that can touch your soul. The great ocean-atmosphere, incredible marine life and gorgeous sunsets add up to the reasons why you should camp in this campground.