11 Favorite Lakes and Beaches in Victoria, BC (By Locals)
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We count ourselves lucky to live in the city of Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island – where the ocean wraps around us on three sides.
Come summer, you’ll catch us hanging out on the beach – picnicking, reading books, sometimes going SUP (stand-up paddleboarding)…
And when we’re craving a refreshing dip? We’ve got some lovely lakes and other swimming spots nearby for beating the summer heat too.
So pull up a beach chair! Here are our picks for the 11 best Victoria beaches – ocean and lake – for swimming, sunning and soaking up that West Coast summer vibe.
Most are just a short drive from downtown.
Featured reader comment/question
Contents: Top ocean and lake beaches in Victoria, BC
Can you really swim at these beaches?
- Willows Beach
- Gonzales Beach
- Elk/Beaver Lakes (Hamsterly Beach)
- Sooke Potholes
- Thetis Lake
- Cordova Beach
- Cadboro Bay (Gyro Beach)
- Durrance Lake
- Island View Beach
- West Shawnigan Lake Park
- Matheson Lake
Cold-water swimming in Victoria
Best time of year to visit our beaches and lakes
Pssst! Also check out the comments and questions from readers at the end of this post.
Can you really swim at Victoria’s beaches?
Short answer: Yes!
There are some beautiful beaches, swimming holes and lakes in Victoria you’ll definitely want to try – whether you’re here for a summer weekend break or a longer trip around British Columbia.
But fair warning… Our ocean beaches are kinda frigid!
In winter, the sea temperature hovers around 46 F (8 C), and even in summer, it rarely rises above 52 F (11 C). Sure, it might warm up a touch during a hot spell, but you won’t mistake it for the tropics.
For swimming, lakes win
If you’re keen to actually spend time in the water (vs. a polar bear plunge), the lakes around Victoria are much warmer – and far more inviting for a leisurely swim.
Is the water clean?
Usually yes.
But if Mother Nature cranks up the heat for too long, those lovely lakes can experience algae blooms, making the water unsafe for swimming.
We also have lots of Canada Geese that love our beaches as much as we do. And their poop can contribute to high fecal bacteria counts during stretches of hot weather.
So before you dash off to one of these lakes or beaches, check out the following sites for any water quality alerts:
- Island Health: For their beach advisories and water sampling reports
- Capital Regional District: For their service alerts on blue-green algae blooms
- Blue Water Task Force: For their bacteria level water tests of Vancouver island sites
1) Willows Beach
Located in the community of Oak Bay, Willows Beach is our favorite ocean beach in summer.
This long sandy beach has a spacious grass area with plenty of trees for shade – ideal for picnics. If you get hungry, there’s a plain-but-charming tea room run by the Kiwanis Club (a volunteer-led organization).
Lined by logs, the beach stretches out below the lawn.
If you’re looking for a beautiful beach that’s just a 5- to 10-minute drive from downtown Victoria, this is the “it” beach to hit!
Local tip
Set yourself up against a log at the north end of the beach by Cattle Point if you want end-of-the-day sunshine.
The south end of Willows Beach loses the sunshine a couple of hours earlier than the north end. You can find yourself in shade by 5:00 pm come August.
You can SUP at Willows Beach!
Willows Beach is also our go-to spot for stand-up paddleboarding in Victoria.
Brian from South Island SUP operates a mobile SUP rental service and can deliver SUP boards right to the beach. (We rented from him several times before buying our own boards.)
He also offers a fantastic guided “secret beaches and islands” SUP tour (90 minutes long), which leaves from the north end of Willows Beach.
With a maximum of six people, it includes a mini-lesson if you’re new to SUP. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, eagles and otters – all part of the experience!
Strolling around
A walkway runs alongside the beach. Popular for strolling along, it’s one of Victoria’s most scenic walks.
If you fancy exploring a bit further, wander through the leafy Oak Bay neighborhood above the beach, where stately heritage homes peek out from behind gardens.
And pssst! If you walk up Estevan Avenue, you’ll come to Willows Galley, a fresh fish-and-chips spot popular with locals. Grab some take-away and head back to the beach, or tuck in right there at the picnic benches out front.
At the beach’s north end, climb the wooden stairs to Cattle Point, part of Uplands Park. We love walking around on top of the rocky outcroppings here, soaking up the spectacular views of Haro Strait – and on a clear day, snow-capped Mount Baker in the distance.
Many people enjoy Willows Beach in winter too. We often head down for a beach walk, a bit of beachcombing or just to sit on a log and gaze at the sea.
Are dogs allowed on Willows Beach?
Dog owners should be aware that their pets aren’t allowed on the beach from May 1 to September 30. (Dogs typically aren’t allowed on any city beaches in the summer.)
Essential info
- Willows Beach: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes, along with changing rooms.
- Warm water for swimming? The shallow water warms up on hot days so it’s comfortable for wading and splashing around. Kids have no problem frolicking about at the water’s edge.
- Sandy or rocky? Soft and sandy.
2) Gonzales Beach
Along with Willows Beach (#1), Gonzales Beach is one of the nicest sandy beaches in Victoria, close to downtown.
It’s smaller and more tucked away than Willows, curving around a cozy bay in the residential Fairfield neighborhood. The beach faces south, serving up lovely views across the Juan de Fuca Strait to the Olympic Mountains in Washington.
Houses line the edge of the bay and much of the wide sandy shore. But there’s an itty-bitty, terraced grassy area at one end, with some picnic tables.
Logs scattered along the sand double as nature’s backrests – just lean back and soak up the sun.
The water is typically glassy calm, and it’s shallow for a long way out.
Pick your side
Gonzales Beach is long enough to comfortably accommodate a mixed crowd.
One side is where families gather – wee ones dig into the sand, building moats and castles galore.
The other end (the east side) draws teens who listen to music and party-goers soaking up the sun.
Local tip
That eastern stretch of Gonzales Beach catches the late-day rays the longest.
Paddling from Gonzales Beach
When the wind is low, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders can sometimes be seen gliding along in the bay.
One kayaker (who paddles out four times a week) told us that Gonzales Bay and the adjacent scalloped coastline has everything you’d want to see when paddling – sea otters, seals, giant jellyfish in the water, jumping fish, seabirds overhead, starfish on the coastal rocks and more.
We can’t wait to SUP Gonzales Beach ourselves!
Essential info
- Gonzales Beach: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes, up the hill (at the family beach end).
- Warm water for swimming? No. The ocean water is really cold! But on hot days, it’s refreshing – we’ve managed to get waist-deep; braver folk go for the full dip.
- Sandy or rocky? Fine soft sand, like you’d find in Hawaii (but it’s greyish, not white).
3) Elk Lake (Hamsterly Beach) and Beaver Lake
Drive along the Patricia Bay Highway, and you can see Elk Lake and the local rowing club right from the road.
Located about a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria, Elk Lake is a large freshwater lake, connected to smaller Beaver Lake, in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.
Hamsterly Beach is the main beach on Elk Lake (at the north end of the lake) – it’s become one of our favorite Victoria beaches for swimming.
The lake is so warm in high summer that we’ve actually stayed in the water for almost an hour doing lazy laps.
Because the beach faces south, it gets full-on sun until about 7:30 pm in July and August – it’s the perfect spot for a late afternoon dip.
There’s another small sandy beach, Eagle Beach, at the south end of Elk Lake – it’s usually less crowded than Hamsterly Beach.
Local tip
There’s lots of natural shade on the grassy lawn by Hamsterly Beach, thanks to overhanging trees.
But if you want to spread your towel out on the sand, bring an umbrella or beach tent to protect yourself from the sun – it gets hot!
Elk Lake is inland, so the temperature here is usually a few degrees warmer than at ocean beaches like Willows (#1 above). Shade is your friend here.
Check before diving in
Unfortunately, this is one of the lakes often flagged as not safe for swimming – either due to blue-green algae blooms or the risk of swimmer’s itch from fecal contamination (think goose poop, creek and agricultural run-off, and the like).
Walk it instead?
There’s a great flat walking path around the lake – about 6½ miles (10 km) long – which makes for a lovely walk or jog. We’ve enjoyed it for some lakeside exercise.
Essential info
- Hamsterly Beach at Elk Lake: Location
- Public washrooms and change rooms? Yes.
- Warm water for swimming? Yes, both lakes have pleasant water temperatures.
- Sandy or rocky? Sandy beachfront at Hamsterly Beach and Eagle Beach on Elk Lake.
4) Sooke Potholes Regional Park
About an hour’s drive from Victoria, the Sooke Potholes are a unique series of deep freshwater pools, carved into the Sooke River by water swirling around massive polished boulders.
On hot summer days, they’re a favorite swimming hole for Sooke locals and heat-weary Victorians looking to cool off.
Several small parking lots are strung along the Sooke River, so you can access the potholes at different points.
Hiking and cliff jumping
We like to hike along the 2.8-mile (4½-km) Riverside Trail, which meanders through the forest and offers plenty of detours down to the riverbank for scenic views.
In some places, the riverbank is low, and you’ll find flat rocks or tiny pebble beaches perfect for relaxing by a calm pool. Elsewhere, the riverbank is high and it looks more like a steep gorge.
Keep an eye out for the thrill-seekers who climb to the top of the rocky cliff walls and jump into the water!
A day spent here captures summer in Victoria at its best – a little easy hiking in the great outdoors, followed by a refreshing dip in a natural freshwater oasis.
Sooke Potholes map
Download a copy of this map.
Essential info
- Sooke Potholes Regional Park: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes.
- Warm water for swimming? Refreshing. Not too cold.
- Sandy or rocky? Pebble shores and rocky ledges.
5) Thetis Lake
Thetis Lake Park holds the distinction of being Canada’s first nature sanctuary, established in 1958. Just on the edge of the city, the park spans 1,570 acres in size and is home to two clear freshwater lakes – Upper Thetis and Lower Thetis.
Thanks to its easy accessibility and warm clean water, Thetis is a popular summer swimming spot, especially with young people. You’ll even find a few small islands you can swim out to!
Main Beach (yes, that’s its actual name!) is a short walk from the large parking lot – and it can get a bit crowded for our taste.
But if you venture farther along the shoreline, you’ll discover quieter nooks that are perfect for a peaceful dip.
SUP at Thetis Lake
Thetis Lake is also an ideal spot for learning how to SUP – or to launch your own stand-up paddleboard if you already know the ropes.
Brian with South Island SUP (mentioned earlier in #1) offers SUP lessons here and also delivers rental boards to the lake.
Kayaking is also popular on the lake’s calm waters.
Hiking around Thetis
A network of scenic walking and hiking trails weave through the forest surrounding the lakes (see trail map).
You’ll also find picnic areas scattered around for a post-hike (or swim) bite to eat.
Essential info
- Thetis Lake: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes.
- Warm water for swimming? Warmer than the ocean!
- Sandy or rocky? Main Beach is a mix of small pebbles and sand.
6) Cordova Bay Beach
Picture-perfect is how to describe Cordova Bay Beach.
Located about a 15-minute drive north of downtown Victoria, Cordova Bay is a quiet seaside community with a long, sweeping sand-and-pebble beach.
Multi-million-dollar homes line Cordova Bay Road, but there are a couple of public access points, including one from a small parking lot. And like all beaches in Victoria, the entire shoreline is public, so you’re free to wander as far as your toes will take you.
We once visited the beach at sunset when a full moon rose in the sky, massive and pink – casting a magical shimmer on the water.
While we were beachcombing, we noticed a paddleboarder gliding out into the bay. A while later, he returned, carrying a huge crab he’d retrieved from a trap in the water.
A new bride, getting her wedding photos taken, couldn’t resist the scene either. Barefoot, with her white dress trailing in the sand, she tiptoed over for a closer peek at his impressive catch.
Exactly the kind of moment that makes our beaches special!
Essential info
- Cordova Bay: Location
- Public washrooms? No, none in front of the Beach House.
- Warm water for swimming? Ummm, no. The Pacific Ocean isn’t exactly warm here.
- Sandy or rocky? Sand and pebbles.
7) Gyro Beach at Cadboro Bay
Located near Cadboro Bay Village, Gyro Beach at Cadboro-Gyro Park is one of Victoria’s most family-friendly beaches.
Fun tidbit: This is where little Prince George and Princess Charlotte played during a royal visit to Victoria in 2016 with their parents, Prince William and Princess Kate. They had a blast on the slides, swings and giant red octopus in the large seaside playground.
Beyond the playground, the gently sloping beach and calm sheltered bay make it ideal for young kids to splash around. And wide grassy areas are perfect for picnics, soccer kicks and just running free.
Essential info
- Cadboro-Gyro Park: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes.
- Warm water for swimming? Yes, on a hot day!
- Sandy or rocky? Sandy.
8) Durrance Lake
Like Elk Lake (#3) and Thetis Lake (#5), Durrance Lake is another one of Victoria’s best swimming lakes – without requiring a long drive. It’s located about 35 minutes from downtown, in Mount Work Regional Park on the Saanich Peninsula.
Encircled by forest, this clean calm lake feels miles removed from the hubbub of the city.
A flat walking trail circles the lake, about one mile (1.7 km) long – perfect for a leg-stretch before or after a dip.
We like to walk a short distance along the northeast shore to a tiny sandy peninsula. It’s barely big enough for about 20 people to sit out on towel, but it’s definitely the comfiest spot to hang out for more than a quick swim.
Otherwise, it’s catch-as-catch-can. If there’s a free spot under a tree by the lake not already staked out by someone else, you might want to grab it.
For us, Durrance is ideal for a late-afternoon swim, followed by some time to dry off in the sun. But it’s not an all- or half-day lounging kind of lake (unlike West Shawnigan Lake, #10), as there’s no real beach or grassy area to stretch out on.
There’s been talk of improving the lakeshore for the past couple of years now. But we’ll have to wait and see how that pans out.
Durrance Lake gets busy on hot summer days. If the small parking lot at the entrance is full, you can park along Willis Point Road and walk in (about a 10-minute walk).
Essential info
- Durrance Lake: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes, but they’re located at the entrance (so it’s a bit of a hike to get to them if you’ve planted yourself further along the lakeshore) – and they’re sometimes kinda grungy.
- Warm water for swimming? About as good as you’re gonna get in Victoria! (Okay, seriously, it’s very nice for swimming in summer.)
- Sandy or rocky? Dirt, stones, roots and pebbles, with some sand at the water’s edge.
9) Island View Beach
A great place to get away from it all is Island View Beach Regional Park – and it’s only about a 25-minute drive north of downtown Victoria.
In the distance, you can see James Island (one of BC’s Gulf Islands) and the San Juan Islands in the USA.
The long sandy and pebble beach is a great place for a leisurely walk (especially at low tide), exploring and staking out the perfect log to lie back against for a well-deserved nap.
Paddleboarders can sometimes be seen gliding along in summer when there’s no wind.
Birding
The sand dunes, thickets and meadows at Island View Beach are also home to over 180 species of bird – making it a great place for bird watchers.
You could spot sandpipers, short-eared owls, hawks, bald eagles, ruby-crowned kinglets and marbled murrelets.
Camping
There’s a campground open during the summer, with 18 beachfront RV sites, 5 treed tent trailer sites and 24 treed tent sites. For beachfront camping, it’s a pretty idyllic spot!
Essential info
- Island View Beach: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes.
- Warm water for swimming? Okay for dipping your toes in and walking barefoot in the water (but not warm for swimming).
- Sandy or rocky? A mix of pebbles and sandy spots.
10) West Shawnigan Lake Park
Encircled by holiday cabins and fancy homes, Shawnigan Lake is a picturesque summer vacation spot about a 45-minute drive from Victoria.
It’s home to three lakeside parks with beaches.
East side beaches
Two parks – Masons Beach Park and Old Mill Park – are popular with families with young children, as these have sandy beaches that are shallow and slope gently.
Located on the east side of the lake (facing west), these beaches are also the best for catching the most rays in the late afternoon – if you can find a spot to spread out your towel!
West Shawnigan Lake Beach
The third lakeside park – West Shawnigan Lake Park – is the real gem, in our view.
Formerly a provincial park, it’s larger and far less busy than the other two. Except for occasional powerboats and water-skiers whooshing by in the distance, you’ll have the forest park almost to yourself on weekdays.
There’s no real “beach” here. Instead, a huge expanse of lawn, fringed by trees for shade, slopes down almost to the lake edge. We love hanging out here, relaxing with a book.
It’s shady in the afternoon
Because it sits on the west side of the lake, it loses direct sunlight in the late afternoon – so there’s lots of natural shade on hot days. (But if you’re chasing afternoon rays, you might prefer Old Mill Park on the opposite shore.)
Our only gripe? Weeds
The underwater weeds near the shore cling to your legs as you’re trying to swim. So for weed-free swimming, Elk (#3), Thetis (#5), Durrance (#8) and Matheson (#11) are better lakes.
Essential info
- West Shawnigan Lake Park: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes (outhouses).
- Warm water for swimming? Yes, pleasantly comfortable.
- Sandy or rocky? Pebbly – water shoes make it easier to wade in.
11) Matheson Lake
We recently went for the first time to Matheson Lake for a late-spring swim – and wow, what a gem!
Located in Matheson Lake Regional Park, it’s about a 50-minute drive from downtown Victoria. (For a more scenic drive, skip Highway 1 and instead cross the Johnson Street Bridge, then follow Craigflower Road through Esquimalt and the Island Highway through View Royal, then join up with the Old Sooke Road.)
From the parking lot, it’s a 5-minute walk down a wide gravel path to the beach.
Heads-up: On hot summer weekends, the lot fills quickly. You can park along the one side of the road leading to the lot, but you might have a bit of a hike in.
The small beach gets morning shade and lots of sun in the afternoon. Trees at the edge also offer natural shade – no need to lug a beach tent.
If it feels too crowded, walk a bit farther around the lake to find rocky slabs with easy water access – perfect for a quieter swim spot.
Local tip
As you’re facing the lake from the beach, head right for the best rocky sunbathing slabs with easier water entry. The left side is mostly high-bank, with trickier water access.
Floaties and SUP boards are popular
Matheson Lake is a popular place for inflatable floaties, and paddleboarders often launch from the beach to explore a small rocky island in the middle of the lake.
Hike around the lake
A forested 2½-mile (4-km) trail circles the lake.
It’s peaceful and scenic, though the route involves lots of stepping over tangled tree roots and some up-and-down rocky scrambles. So we’d say it requires moderate effort, but it’s not difficult.
The last time we hiked around the lake it took us two hours with photo stops and a break at a beaver dam.
Oh, and on a hot day, going for a swim after the hike feels divine!
Essential info
- Matheson Lake: Location
- Public washrooms? Yes.
- Warm water for swimming? Yes. Pretty perfect in the summer!
- Sandy or rocky? A mix of coarse sand and dirt at the beach (with rocky slabs further away).
Cold-water swimming
We mentioned earlier that the sea temperatures are pretty cold for swimming, even in the summer months.
Still, cold-water swimming is having a moment. We often see locals stripping down to their swimsuits at Willows Beach (#1) to brave the waters for their daily dunk.
Some readers, in fact, have written in with some great tips on the best places for cold-water ocean swimming in Victoria – so do read the comments below!
We’ve both even gone full-body swimming at Willows Beach on super hot days in Victoria. And lately, George has started doing daily summer dips in the ocean too.
So, hey, maybe you’ll be inspired to take the plunge too!
Best time of year to visit these Victoria, BC, beaches?
Summer
Summer is hands-down the best time of year to enjoy our beaches and lakes.
May to September are the warmest months, with long days of sunshine and less rain.
The hottest days are usually in July and August.
We rarely see extreme heat, though, where temperatures climb above 86 F (30 C). Most summer days in June, July and August are comfortably warm and dry, with average air temps in the 70s (mid-20s C).
Fall to spring
In spring and fall, there are often still beautiful sunny days where you can sunbathe on the beaches around Victoria. But you might want to bring a blanket or coat.
Winter brings with it rain. Not all days are rainy, however. And walking the beach on a sunny winter day comes with its own pleasure.
The winter months are also a good time for nature lovers to peer into tide pools – and go storm watching when the weather is wicked.
Last words on our favorite outdoor places to swim in Victoria, BC
We know the world is a big place, and there are many fabulous beaches around the globe.
Still, if you’re visiting Victoria in summer, make sure to pack your swimsuit. You won’t want to miss out on enjoying our sun-warmed lakes and postcard-worthy beaches!
Explore more of Victoria
- 5 Charming Airbnbs and Vrbos in Victoria
- An Insider’s Guide to the Top 10 Hotels in Victoria
- The Best Things to Do in Victoria!
- How to Get to Victoria (7 Different Ways)
- 15 Favorite Victoria Restaurants
- 10 Easy Scenic Walks in Victoria
- 7 Beautiful Gardens to Enjoy In Victoria
- Taking the Ferry From Vancouver to Victoria
- 7 Enchanting Butchart Gardens Tours
- Explore the Gorge on a Fun Pickle Boat
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