We have lots of great beaches in Saanich! Enjoy a popular beach like Cadboro Bay, or discover a secluded cove at a beach access point near you.
How do I get to the beach?
There are 32 public beach accesses along our ocean shores and 4 at Prospect Lake.
- See our Parks and Trails maps to find a beach to explore.
Most popular beaches
- Cadboro-Gyro
- PKOLS (Mount Douglas)
- Cordova Bay
- Arbutus Cove
- Glencoe Cove Kwatsech
- Gorge Waterway
- Whitehead (Prospect Lake)
Enjoy the area
- Please respect neighbours - keep noise to a volume that does not disturb others.
- Only park in valid parking spots - never block private property or driveways. If no parking, please come back another time to enjoy or use other modes of transportation.
- Be sensitive to the plants and animals living along our shores - stay on path - leave nothing but memories, take nothing but pictures.
- Pack it in, pack it out - take all items including your trash with you when you leave.
- Don’t light beach fires.
- Parks and trails are not the place to smoke, vape or use cannabis products as per the CRD Clean Air Bylaw
- Some beaches have dog restrictions - keep animals under control and always collect and properly dispose of waste. All beaches and beach access within the Victoria Migratory Bird Sanctuary are on-leash. Beaches outside of the Victoria Migratory Bird Sanctuary remain leash-optional with seasonal restrictions:
- Dogs are prohibited during the months of May through August at:
- Cordova Bay Beach between Walema Avenue right-of-way to Cordova Bay Park (EXCEPT before 9:00 a.m.)
- Whitehead Park
- PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) beach
- Parks takes care of formal trails leading to beach access points from parks. These stay uncut during bird and small animal nesting season.
Can I launch a boat?
Yes, though access varies. We don’t have any public trailer boat launches along the ocean in Saanich.
Trailer boat launches - fresh water lake access
- Prospect Lake: Echo Drive
- Elk/Beaver Lake: Brookleigh Road (offered by the Capital Regional District)
Car-top boat launches (small boats, kayaks, paddle boards, etc.)
You can comfortably launch car-top boats (i.e., hand carried) in many places, including:
Doing work along the shore?
If you need equipment access to your beach front property, email Environmental Services (in the parks department) to obtain a beach access permit. Ensure before work starts you have approval and are following all environmental protocols.