Reminder: Beach Fires Not Permitted at Island View Beach
The 51-hectare park is located on Island View Road and open sunrise to sunset.
Island View offers an expansive beach along the eastern shore of the Saanich Peninsula, great trails, excellent bird watching, panoramic seascape views of Haro Strait, James Island and Mount Baker, and a self-contained RV and tent campground.
Access trails from the beach and parking lot will take you to an inland trail that winds through the old salt marsh and backdunes.
Wildlife Viewing Tips
Seabirds and shorebirds land at Island View Beach during migration times in the spring and autumn. Migratory seabirds graze on the eel grass beds at low tide or probe for worms, clams and other creatures in the sand. They are often exhausted from their long travels and need all the nourishment and rest they can get. Watch these animals from a distance and keep dogs on the trail and under control.
Some of BC's most threatened shorebirds nest on the ground on isolated rocky islets, spits and shorelines. Oystercatchers, for example, are one species at risk. They lay their well-camouflaged eggs in a scrape — nothing more than an arrangement of pebbles or even the bare rock itself. Oystercatchers also rely on distraction to fend off predators. Stay well clear of any bird displaying evasive behaviour and watch where you walk.
Campground
The Island View Beach Regional Park RV & Tent campground operates in the spring and summer and is run by the Capital Regional District. It operates seasonally from the Victoria Day long weekend in May to the Labour Day long weekend in September. The CRD’s secure online reservation site allows you to reserve and pay immediately for a campsite.
See more on the CRD site.
Overnight Parking
Overnight parking permits are available for kayakers and canoeists planning to launch from the park for overnight excursions. Permits are processed during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm except Statutory holidays). Permit application form
Dog Restrictions
Dogs are required to be on a leash at the park campground. From June 1 to September 15, dogs must be on leash when passing through all beach areas above the natural boundary of the sea, and are not allowed to stay.
How to Get There
Follow the Pat Bay Highway from Victoria. Turn right on Island View Road, then left on Homathko Road, which leads to the park entrance. Allow approximately 30 minutes driving time from Victoria.
- Map to Island View Beach Regional Park
- Directions to parking lot
- 12km from the Victoria Airport
- 17km from Swartz Bay Ferry terminal
- 20km from downtown Victoria
- Easy bike commute from the Lochside Regional Trail