Welcoming Brant to Parksville Beaches

The Black Brant geese feeding along the shores of Parksville are on a remarkable and arduous journey of migration from California and Mexico to northern nesting grounds. Parksville beaches provide an abundant food source for the geese, which need to gain weight and strength before making another long non-stop flight. A disturbance caused by something as simple as a child running on the beach can have drastic impacts on the geese which is the reason our beaches are temporarily closed to dogs on and off-leash for March and April.

Amazing sandy beaches and picture postcard views We are always excited to welcome Brant to the shores of Parksville Bay and Rathtrevor beaches, two of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Residents and visitors to our region love these spectacular sandy beaches with picture-perfect view of the Salish Sea. At low tide, the ocean recedes about a kilometre from shore, revealing warm beaches which seem to stretch forever.

From our beaches, you can see across the Salish Sea to the mainland. The coastal mountain range and the Sunshine Coast, including communities like Gibsons and Sechelt, are located on the mainland to the north and west across the strait. The islands you see from our beaches are part of the Gulf Islands; Lasqueti Island is about 73 square kilometres and the larger island to the northeast of Lasqueti is Texada Island, the largest of the Gulf Islands at about 50 kilometres in length.

We encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the best beaches of Parksville. Bring your bathing suit, plan a picnic, bring along your skimboard, standup paddle board, kayak, and of course your sandcastle building skills.

Parksville Beach, part of Parksville Community Park, is a remarkable sandy, walk-on beach perfect for swimming and picnicking. Nearby you will find our new gathering plaza and the waterfront walkway, perfect to experience a gorgeous Parksville sunset. The park features the popular Ventureland Playground with splash park, beach volleyball courts, skatepark, sports fields, outdoor gym, kite field, as well as many festivals and special events throughout the summer.

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is one of the best vacation destinations on Vancouver Island, offering majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets, and a wide, sandy beach with campsites nestled among the trees. At low tide, the beach is an ideal place for visitors of all ages to play in the sand and explore the shoreline. When the tide rolls in over sunbaked sand, the warmed water is perfect for swimming and at low tide, the receding ocean exposes tide pools ready for exploration.

The City of Parksville, with a population of 13,642, is an active community blending young families, urban professionals, retirees, long-time residents, and new arrivals who choose to live in Parksville for the quality life, the region’s natural environment and amenities. An excellent combination of retirement, business and recreational opportunities, facilities, and services, make Parksville a great place to live, work, visit, and prosper. More info at Parksville.ca and LetsTalkParksville.ca