When temperatures start to soar, tourists and locals alike seek out the best places to cool off. Whether you prefer freshwater frolics or salty ocean waves, there are some amazing swimming spots on Vancouver Island.

While many of the following spots have already been mentioned in a subsequent article entitled, “Best Sandy Beaches,” there are several more great places to explore.

Due to the vast array of swimming spots on Vancouver Island, this post focuses on the Mid-Island. The areas are listed south to north.

Transfer beach in Ladysmith is a great place to swim on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View.
Transfer Beach via Getty Images

Transfer Beach

This large park is a major gathering spot for summer activities, including many of Ladysmith’s festivals and community events. However, it is also a fantastic location to swim, picnic, kayak, and play. For the kiddos, there is a great playground, a water spray park, a sandbox with a climbing apparatus, and a playboat.

Getting There

Head to the town of Ladysmith via the Trans Canada Highway. As you approach the village, a large sign identifies Transfer Beach. Follow the short paved access road to a large parking lot.

The Nanaimo River is one of those amazing swimming spots on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View
Nanaimo River
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Nanaimo River

The Nanaimo River offers deep swimming holes of cool, clean water. Its many access points provide locals with some of the best freshwater pools around.

While there are several entry points into the Nanaimo River, one of the easiest to access is at the Nanaimo River Regional Park. A developed trail network provides walkers, cyclists, swimmers and nature lovers with many recreational activities to choose from.

Getting There

Park entrances are located on Fry Rd (off Nanaimo River Rd, off Hwy 1) and Frey Rd (off Emblem Rd, off Thatcher Rd, off Main Rd, off Morden Rd, off Hwy 1).

Another popular access point to the Nanaimo River is the Cedar Bridge, on your way into Cedar (although parking is atrocious).

Westwood Lake provides a great freshwater swimming spot on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View

Westwood Lake: one of the best freshwater swimming spots on Vancouver Island

Offering Nanaimo’s only lifeguarded freshwater swimming spot (June-August), it’s no wonder that Westwood Lake is a popular place in the summer. Enjoy the sandy beach, small playground, washrooms and change rooms, plus a well-groomed 5 km trail that circumnavigates the entire lake.

Getting There:

The park entrance is at 381 Westwood Road, off of Jingle Pot Road.

If relaxing near a beautiful lake is what you like to do, then make sure you’ve visited the top 10 lakes on Vancouver Island.

Top Bridge along the Englishman River, is a wonderful place to swim on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View.

Englishman River

Parksville locals head to the beautiful Englishman River when looking for freshwater swimming. Deep crystal-clear pools can be found at Top Bridge and at the base of the lower Englishman River Falls. Top Bridge is where we go when I want a freshwater swim near me.

Getting There:

Top Bridge is found at the end of Chattell Rdin Parksville (off Kaye Rd, off Hwy 19A by the truck scales).

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is located 13 km southwest of Parksville. Take Errington Road off Highway 4, toward Port Alberni. Directional signs are posted on main highways.

Rathtrevor Beach is a fanstatic place to swim on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View.

Rathtrevor Beach

This 2 km long stretch of sandy beach is a famous Parksville landmark. The shallow, and ultimately warm, waters at Rathtrevor provide the best swimming opportunities for young children. At low tide, that same shallow water area becomes nearly a kilometre-long stretch of soft sand leading out into the Strait of Georgia.

Getting There:

Rathtrevor Beach fronts many of Parksville’s resorts along Resort Drive, as well as the Provincial Park. The easiest and most convenient access point is the Rathtrevor Provincial Park (off Hwy 19A).

Parksville Beach on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View

Parksville Beach

During those warm summer days, the ocean water temperature at Parksville Beach can be as high as 20°C in the shallow areas. This flat beach is a safe spot to play or stroll, even at high tide.

The Community Park is a great access point to Parksville Beach. With a huge (albeit fantastic) play park, a water spray park, and sandy shores perfect for building sandcastles, this park will surely keep those little ones happy for hours!

Beach Access:

The Community Park is at 193 Beachside Drive (off Hwy 19A).

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Cameron Lake on Vancouver Island is a great swimming location. Vancouver Island View.

Cameron Lake

For a refreshing freshwater dip surrounded by beautiful forested mountains, head to Cameron Lake. It’s an ideal spot for picnics, fishing, windsurfing and swimming. It’s conveniently located just off the highway between Parksville and Port Alberni, so it’s a popular place to stop on the way to the West Coast.

Getting There

Located off of Hwy #4 on your way to Port Alberni. Watch for signs for the ‘Cameron Lake Day Use Area.’

Spider Lake on Vancouver Island is an amazing spot to swim. Vancouver Island View

Spider Lake

Don’t let the name of this lake keep you away, for it’s a glorious place to cool off in the summer and one of the best picnic sites in the area. Spider Lake features a small sandy beach and warm water perfect for all ages. With its many legs of winding inlets (the reason for its name), the lake is also popular for canoeing and kayaking.

Getting There:

Spider Lake Provincial Park is located 16 km west of Qualicum Beach. The park can be accessed via the Horne Lake exit off Hwy #19 or Hwy #19a. Follow signs for 5 km to Spider Lake.

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Qualicum Beach. Vancouver Island View

Qualicum Beach

The shallow water at Qualicum Beach heats up nicely when the weather is hot, making it an ideal ocean swim location. The natural curve of the bay also makes it somewhat sheltered, creating a calm spot. The best spot for swimming is near the Shore Restaurant, which serves delicious food, ice cream and drinks!

Getting There

Take the Oceanside Route through Parksville to Qualicum Beach along Hwy 19A for a scenic drive.

For a quicker route, take exit 60 off BC-19. Merge onto Memorial Road (BC-4 E) and take the second exit at the roundabout to stay on Memorial Road. Head down to the water and turn left at the lights. Your destination will be on your right. Parking is available along Hwy 19A near the Shore Restaurant.

Kye Bay in Comox on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View
Kye Bay via Getty Images

Kye Bay – One of the best saltwater swimming spots on Vancouver Island

The incoming tide at Kye Bay gently washes over the hot sand, making the ocean water an ideal temperature to swim in. And with its many shallow tidal pools filled with marine life, and soft sand perfect for building sandcastles, it’s no wonder Kye Bay is known as one of the best beaches for kids. Kye Bay beach is also dog-friendly, and a popular picnic spot for Comox locals.

Getting There
From Hwy 19A, follow Ryan Road to almost the very end and turn right on Military Row (by the Comox Airforce Museum). At the roundabout, take the Knight Road exit. Continue along Knight Road until you find Kye Bay Road, and follow until the end.

Saratoga Beach

Saratoga Beach

Located between Courtenay to the south and Campbell River to the North, Saratoga Beach is considered one of the best stretches of soft shimmering sand on the sheltered east coast of Vancouver Island. The mile-long, gently sloping stretch of beach is the perfect oceanfront playground for children. With the tide extending almost a quarter of a mile out, this area offers warm, shallow and safe swimming conditions, free from powerboat traffic, deep water or strong currents.

Getting There

From the community of Courtenay, travel north on the Inland Hwy (Oceanside Route) approximately 25 kilometres (16 Miles) to Saratoga Beach. The turnoff to Saratoga Beach is exit #144.


Have I missed any of your favourite swimming spots on Vancouver Island? Let us know in the comments below.

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6 Comments

  1. Kath ritco says:

    And of course the biggest lake one the island lake cowichan!

    1. Lake Cowichan is amazing, and yes, definitely a great suggestion. Just so you are aware, however, Kennedy Lake is the biggest lake on the island. 🙂

  2. Simon Stocks says:

    Not actually on Van Isle, but Tribune Bay on Hornby is great place for a Ocean Swim.

  3. Connie Peters says:

    Qualicum Beach! The bay keeps it calm most of the time, endless sand, awesome ice cream/coffee shop right on beach, SUP rentals right st beach also! and shallow for long ways out… edge of paradise????

    1. Oooh, yes, thank you, Connie! Great suggestion!

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